Every year in December, the Tumalo Creek Holiday Lights Paddle Parade takes place on the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon. This year, I took pictures of them paddling through the snow. I thought maybe there wouldn’t be as many participants, but a little snow falling didn’t stop people from joining in on this annual event.
Here’s a short video of paddlers on the river.
Paddlers decorate their kayaks, stand up paddleboards, and canoes with holiday lights and paddle from Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe for about a half mile to the Flag Bridge in the Old Mill district.
You can see a snow-covered inflatable reindeer on the kayak on the left side of the photo below. I enjoy seeing reindeer wherever I can.
The shores of the river are lined with visitors and locals viewing the event. The paddler’s costumes are entertaining and help keep them warm while following the parade route.
After paddling through the snow and turning around at the Flag Bridge, paddlers return to Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe for hot drinks, cookies, and a celebration.
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What a fun event. Thanks for sharing your photos.
Yeah, lots of people were out there, Ralph. :)
That is a fun holiday tradition.
Yes, fun, but cold!
Oh, my goodness, it looks so cold. I’d rather them than me!
Thank you for sharing the images with our challenge. And lovely to have you join us.
Thank you, Sue! Yes, it was chilly so we didn't watch for long. Brrrrr.
How cool!! I love your photos! ❄️☃️❄️🌨️
Yes, it was cool! Thanks, Lisa.
I'm shivering just looking at those photos!
Yeah, it's a good thing it's a short parade!
Beautiful photo. Thank you for sharing. How I wish I can see snow.
Thanks! It was just enough snow to make it beautiful.
Hope to see more content from you
What a fun holiday activity, although it does look like you need to bundle up, betting that water is cold.
Yeah, it looks fun. I bet they were glad the route wasn't very long that day!