Amador County – Sutter Creek’s annual Parade of Lights last Saturday proved once again why it is one of Amador County’s favorite holiday pastimes. As the popularity of the parade has grown each year, so have the entries. This year’s parade consisted mostly of traditional entries, but there were quite a few new offerings as well. One parade organizer said it was the largest Parade of Lights to date. Besides the usual trucks and wagons adorned with lights, there was also a giant sleigh created by Merzlak Signs owner Kam Merzlak, a number of miniature horses pulling children in tiny sleighs, a glowing tractor from the Sutter Gold Mine and a number of horses wrapped in Christmas light collars. A visitor to Amador County named Janine Gariglo said she was surprised by the sense of community generated by the occasion. The event shut down Main Street for most of the evening. Story by Alex Lane