HOULTON, Maine — It may have been a smaller event than year’s past, but that did not stop Houlton area residents from enjoying the official kick-off to the holiday season with a cruise of colorful lights.
Throngs of people lined the procession route Saturday night, with most sitting comfortably in their vehicles. Saturday’s holiday light cruise-in featured a variety of decorated automobiles, floats, utility terrain vehicles and fire trucks, and of course the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
“It warms my heart to see that people showed up,” Jane Torres, executive director for Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce, said.
Torres said she wasn’t sure how many entries there would ultimately be as many of the regular participants informed her they would not be entering a float this year.
Cameron Clark, who had the honor of driving Santa and Mrs. Claus in his pickup truck, said this was the first procession in 11 years that he was not able to ride in the event in his usual attire. For the past 11 years, Clark dressed as an elf and rode a triple-tiered unicycle the length of the procession route.
Around nine entries were featured in this year’s cruise-in, along with numerous law enforcement vehicles.
Dustin Potter is all smiles as he drives a decorated truck in Saturday’s holiday light cruise event in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
Ryan and Bradley Flewelling were riding in style in this decorated tractor. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
The crew from Dunkin Donuts created this highly decorative float for Saturday’s light cruise in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
The Deveau family of Littleton entered this illuminated utility terrain vehicle in Saturday’s holiday cruise in Houlton. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
