JOHN DAY — This time of year, most rural towns are typically dark and quiet by 6 p.m. – if not earlier.

An exception — Grant County’s annual Timber Truckers Light Parade.

The streets of John Day will come alive with bright lights, roaring engines and, no doubt, cheering crowds at the annual parade on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m.

This year’s theme is “A Family Christmas.” Participants are encouraged to follow the theme when planning their entries because a virtual truckload of cash prizes is up for grabs.

The parade began in 1991 as a way to celebrate local timber mills and crews. It was popular from the start. Over the years as the local timber industry suffered setbacks and cutbacks, the number of entrants has dwindled.

But traditions don’t die easily around here.

Organizers Leslie Traylor and Brenda Mosier learned that when it was announced the parade was headed for the scrap pile due to lack of interest and volunteers.

In short order, folks in the community heeded the call and came to the rescue. Timber mills might be scarce nowadays, but locals still hold them close to their hearts.

No need to register in advance. Simply show up with your crew and decked out rig between 3-5:30 p.m. on parade day at Iron Triangle’s scale shack and get signed in. The entry fee is $10.

The parade rolls out from the Iron Triangle yard (formerly, the Grant Western mill) west of John Day, continues east on Highway 26/Main Street, all the way to the Third Street extension. There, the route turns left and ends at the John Day Elks Lodge on Northeast Dayton Street, where participants can enjoy an awards-and-prizes social afterward.

Prizes? Oh yes!

Cash prizes include $200 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third in each of the categories — timber, commercial, farm and ranch, and community. The first-place timber winner also receives 100 gallons of diesel fuel.

There will also be a people’s choice award, to be voted on by parade spectators — $100 for first place and $50 for second. And finally, a sweepstakes award with two cases of shotgun shells going to the winner.

The cash awards are made possible by generous contributions from numerous local businesses and groups. Winners will be announced at the post-parade social.

A couple of $100 prizes will also be drawn at the social — winners must be present to take home the cash.

For more information, visit the Timber Truckers Light Parade on Facebook.