31st Annual Festival of Lights Parade includes honoring Black Friday shooting victims

An estimated 60,000 people packed downtown Colorado Springs for the 31st annual festival of lights parade.

The tradition happens every December and fills the streets with floats and lights. This year, there were an estimated 3,000 people participating in the parade and 45 floats.

The parade started with a special tribute to honor the 3 victims from the Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs on Nov. 27th. Mayor John Suthers and UCCS police vehicles all were a part of the tribute and also honored our first responders.

UCCS celebrated its 50th anniversary at the parade. Students, faculty and UCCS Chancellor, Pam Shockley-Zalabak were in attendance.

The theme of the parade this year is “Songs of the Season.” Every year an organization is honored with the ‘Spirit of the Season’ award, this year the honor went to Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment.

The hour long parade went along Tejon street. It started at St. Vrain street and ended at Vermijo Avenue.