The spirit of the holidays was shining throughout the city as the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership kicked off its Winter Days & Lights series with Christmas on the River and Grande Illumination on Friday.

The free family event, supported by EPB, took place in Coolidge Park, where crowds witnessed the 22nd annual Christmas on the River Lighted Boat Parade.

More than 40 boats were decked in lights to present an illustrious show of Yuletide splendor as they circled between Veteran's Bridge and Ross' Landing.

Consistently recognized as a Top Twenty Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society, Christmas on the River also hosted holiday entertainment by the Swingtime Orchestra on the riverbank stage and a live Nativity scene by First Baptist Church-Soddy Daisy with animals provided by Aunt Suzie's Animal Rescue Zoo.

Warm food and drink concessions added to the holiday cheer.

Following the boat parade at 7:45 p.m., the fun continued with a downtown lighting extravaganza at Coolidge Park.

The Grande Illumination began with lively song and dance performances by the Lindsay Fussell Dancers and Choo Choo Kids. Their production showed how a family sidetracked by a snowstorm finds the true spirit of the season while stranded in the Choo Choo Diner.

Everyone's attention was then turned towards the sky as Santa joined in on the celebration by skydiving into Coolidge Park (weather permitting) and taking the stage to dazzle the audience with a dramatic light show and illuminate 130 downtown buildings.

This year Santa also led the audience in a special community candlelight ceremony, encouraging participants to spread the holiday spirit to friends and strangers alike one candle at a time. The celebration candles could be purchased on-site throughout the show.

A glittering fireworks finale including pyrotechnic waterfalls over the Tennessee River brought the evening to a colorful conclusion.

Winter Days & Lights is a series of events presented by the Chattanooga Downtown Partnership to bring enthusiastic crowds to Downtown Chattanooga during the holiday season. The corporate sponsor for Christmas on the River and The Grande Illumination is EPB, with media support from WRCB Channel 3 and Sunny 92.3.

Christmas on the River & Grande Illumination will be followed by Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Nov. 30; Appalachian Christmas on Friday, Dec. 6; and the Holiday Nightlight Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14.

For more information on Winter Days and Lights, call 265-0771.

- Photo2 by Ezra Reynolds