Parade of Lights, A History

This year marks the 27th Anniversary of the Chico Parade of Lights! The Parade’s history actually dates back to 1918 when high school seniors were invited to view the Chico Normal School campus. Special displays were built to depict the heritage of the campus within the community. Over the years more activities were added. Members of the faculty and townspeople would dress up in Western attire and join the students in celebrating our past. These activities would culminate in a Pioneer Days parade through downtown Chico.

In 1988, the Pioneer Days parade was cancelled. In 1989, Beverly Crosby and Sue Johnston were asked by the then Mayor of Chico to continue the parade tradition. Thus began the Chico Parade of Lights 27 years ago.

This year’s theme, “Wonders of the Wild,” has endless possibilities for creativy, originality and lights! Entries can include animals and plants; different environments (e.g. mountains, ocean, jungle, etc); camping, hiking and canoeing in nature; anything related to the wonderment of the natural and beautiful world all around us!. As always, lights are the #1 focus! You can never have enough lights!

This year, as we have done in the past and will strive to do in the future, we endeavor to keep the best of Chico’s heritage in place and continue to etch our mark in the history of Chico by celebrating the “Wonders of the Wild!”