One paddler recently shared their heartwarming story.
Participating in the Holiday Lights Paddle Parade on the Deschutes River!
It’s a beautiful reminder of how this unique event, supported by Tumalo Creek
– brings the community together each year in the heart of Bend, Oregon.
It was back in 2018 when my friend Jerry first told me about this “lighted paddle” event. He and his fun group from the Aubrey Butte Golf Club were regular participants. It was his urging and all his great stories of his past lighted paddles (and perhaps the promise of hot adult beverages that would be lowered from the Old Mill District bridge) that finally convinced me to give it a go.
For some, this paddle is an opportunity to have a party. Others just want to paddle in winter beauty. And some really get into the decorations and the expression of the holidays. I am squarely in that third category.
The winter holiday season is full of so many cultural and religious meanings the world over. Humanity has been gathering to mark the “return of the sun” in stone circles, atop pyramids, or earth mounds, and in holy sanctuaries since before recorded history. This incredibly ancient ritual of man and nature – for me – is what this season is all about. And what better way to celebrate than to dually connect with nature in winter on the Deschutes River and also with our fellow humans in this very special event.
My costumes just kind of happen. They are crafted from a squarely half-baked concept, on-sale fabric, my trusty glue gun, safety pins, packing tape, garden wire, and lights… lots of lights. I never really know how it’s going to take shape until it just takes form in the doing. This year (2024) will be my fourth paddle in six years.
Would you know, I actually get nervous beforehand? I always feel a little self-conscious about my costume. Mostly I am afraid my headpiece will fall off. But once on the water, I find my calm and bliss in my intentionally slow paddling upstream. I love to savor the quiet and ponder the winter beauty around me in the last bits of orange and pink in the typical Bend sunset.
One of the delights of being on the water is hearing what people on the banks are saying to you or about you. The acoustics on the water are amazing. You can hear the people on the shore whisper. I love hearing the little girls say what they think I am (angel, princess). Many spectators ask me “who/what I am?” I reply, “what do you see?” Way more fun (and interesting) to let the observer decide what they see.
Then we paddlers arrive at the bridge; the energy of the crowds is AMAZING! They are as electric as all of our lights! Everyone is there wishing a “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Season’s Greetings,” “Happy Solstice,” et al. And there we are… a community of random people gathering to wish each other goodwill. It is so very beautiful to experience. As a paddler, I think I delight in the crowd as much as they delight in us.
I recently learned about the origins of this event. Six women, known as “The Six-Pack,” started decorating their watercraft and paddling in the Mirror Pond section of the river at Drake Park 20 years ago! And here we are continuing this event every year, each paddler adding to the beauty and pageantry of what The Six-Pack started. I am so honored to participate as a small portion of their legacy.
We paddlers are so fortunate to have the support of Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe. They promote this event to the public, invite more paddlers to join, provide a safe launch (Thank you so much, Topher!) and a warm place to gather before and afterward. This event is utterly free, and the Tumalo Creek staff volunteer their time and energy to make it happen. It’s great to have that foundational support.
This event truly embodies the spirit of the season… to unite as a community and, for a brief moment, to love each other through this medium of lighted watercraft and joyous observer.
“Happy Everything to Everyone.”
This cherished tradition is a highlight of winter in Central Oregon. Join us at Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe for the Holiday Lights Paddle Parade, and experience the magic of the Deschutes River, the camaraderie of paddlers, and the joy of spectators along the banks of the Old Mill District.
If you frequent the shop enough, you might even have the occasional run in with our close friend George, seen here enthusiastically testing the authors AMAZING costume post event. Another shining example of our incredible paddling community, always ready to share the experience. Who knows? Maybe George will give your costume a test run during our next Holiday Lights Paddle Parade. Be warned: he’s a tough critic when it comes to ✨sequins✨
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this event truly unforgettable. Until next year, we wish you a “Happy Everything” and joyful creating. We can’t wait to see the magic next year’s Holiday Lights Paddle Parade will bring to our community!
