Alpine’s beloved Parade of Lights will return Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. with full community support and a new organizing team, following months of confusion over dates and event ownership. The longtime holiday tradition, now in its 30th year, is being coordinated by the newly formed Alpine Events Committee and sponsored by Bethel Christian Assembly.
Pastor Kristi Roedell, associate pastor at Bethel Christian Assembly, said, “We have been involved in the parade for many years, but only as a participant. And for the last three years, we began to take on a stronger role in coordinating efforts on the parade and the tree lighting that’s been held in our parking lot.”
“If there’s something we can take pride in as a church, it’s that we truly believe we are a church for the community, and we’ve been honored to host the tree lighting festival for several years now,” she said.
“The transition became clear over the summer as planning for the holiday events began. So, when we realized there may not be these beloved community events this year, we had to do something to make it happen,” she continued.
“As this year’s preparations took shape, the community really came together and formed the Alpine Events Committee. We’re making it happen.”
This year, the Parade of Lights and the annual tree lighting are sponsored by Bethel Christian Assembly and the Alpine Events Committee, a group of local volunteers and business owners who have stepped up to ensure Alpine keeps its treasured holiday celebrations alive. This year’s events will unfold over two weekends: the annual tree lighting takes place Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bethel Christian Assembly, 1929 Arnold Way. The celebration will include an artisan marketplace, food trucks, a snow play area for kids, inflatables, an ugly sweater contest, and a visit from Santa, arriving in style, who will light the community tree. Again, the 30th Annual Parade of Lights follows on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m., traveling its traditional route along Alpine Boulevard from the Women’s Club to Tavern Road near Chase Bank.
“It’s a small route, but it’s a big parade,” Roedell said. “People come from all over the county to see our little, smalltown parade. In past years, attendance has reached several thousand.”
This year’s lineup will feature floats, classic cars, community groups, private residents, and a strong presence from local first responders. Santa will open the parade riding in on a fire truck, and Padre’s broadcaster, Mark Grant, will serve as our grand marshal.
“Given the short amount of time we’ve had to put this together,” Roedell said, “we already have over 20 entries, and it’s growing every day.”
Roedell is serving as one of the key point people for logistics, permits, entry forms, and vendor coordination. She also noted the vital support of two key partners: Claudia Sanchez, owner of Alpine Taco Shop, and John Hickman, a resident and finance manager with Cox Communications.
“Pulling the permits has been our biggest hurdle,” she said. “None of us had any experience with county permits,” Roedell said, as planning for both events landed on her desk just four weeks ago. She also mentioned that there have been other committee volunteers who have been the boots on the ground. Gathering signatures from businesses along the route, passing out flyers, and even securing equipment such as portable restrooms and light towers for the festival.
“We all rose to the challenge, even with the tight timeline. We’ve been working nonstop,” she said. “And just this week, we received the ‘green light’ from the county for both events,” she said.
“This year’s events are made possible in part by a generous community enhancement grant from Sen. Joel Anderson’s office and Cox Communications,” she said. “We truly couldn’t have pulled this off without them, and we are so grateful for their support for the community of Alpine.”
