A  Festival of Lights Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, along Main Street in downtown Woodland.

"All of this is done to bring business downtown and separate Woodland from surrounding towns and cities as being a destination for regional tourism, shopping and dining," Marc Hutt, president of the Historic Downtown Woodland Group, said.

The Historic Downtown Woodland Group, Visit Woodland, the Woodland Hoteliers Group and city officials teamed up to create the event. The parade is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. from West Street to 3rd St. and is planned to go until 7 p.m. A tree lighting will then be held at 7 p.m. in Heritage Plaza.

Hutt added that holiday events will occur from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. that will feature local bands, a visit from Santa Claus, a snowmaking machine, a Sno Shack Truck selling shaved ice, trees and wreaths for sale by the local Boy Scouts troop, Disney character photo opportunities, a tractor ride down Main Street and more.

Al Eby, owner of Blue Wing Gallery and a member of the city's Hoteliers group, said he felt like this was an opportunity to be able to embrace what Woodland is about, which is coming together to make something happen.

Eby said he's been wanting to have this parade for at least 15 years but never attempted to host it out of respect for the Chamber of Commerce's annual Holiday Parade.

However, the parade has been canceled for two years in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic and he figured now was a better time than ever to organize the event.

"I just wanted to have something that was smaller and in the holiday spirit," Eby explained. "I don't want people to feel like we have to give up on this and I'm not looking to replace the parade. I just wanted this to be what Woodland is about and that is a community that comes together when there's a need."

One of the main reasons Eby wanted to create the parade is because it keeps the focus on downtown businesses that have been struggling tremendously due to the pandemic.

"We're all trying to keep things happening and the business owners are super excited for what's to happen," he emphasized. "We've got some amazing people downtown that really stand behind and help us get it done and get the word out."

Hutt added that currently there are 40 or more floats that will be lit up going from West and Main streets through downtown to 3rd and Main.

"We are looking for volunteers that are needed for activities on the tents," Hutt added.

He encourages anyone interested to call him at 707-346-7969.

More information about the parade and holiday tree lighting is available at visitwoodland.com/festival-of-lights-parade.

Follow Visit Woodland's social media for updates on the parade and potential cancellations due to weather.

"We're just going to come alive with people downtown," Eby said. "I just want people to feel that we're going to get through this and keep Woodland moving in the right direction."