The 20th annual Vintage High School Band Parade and Review is returning to downtown Napa, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to noon. Thirty high school bands from all over California will be marching in competition, on Second and Third streets between School and Main, for a chance to win trophies and serious bragging rights. Here’s a tip — the best place to watch is at the reviewing stand on Third Street across from the Napa County office building. 

Lights, lights, lights!

This Christmas season in Downtown Napa will be about lights — lots of lights. Three miles of LED (low voltage) lights will outline rooflines on First Street from School Street to the Oxbow Public Market, and on Main Street from Napa Street to the Hatt Building.

Additionally, lights will be strung on the First and Third Street bridges, on the river walk from the First Street bridge to Angele Restaurant (Division Street), and in all the trees on First Street. The icing on the cake will be a 29-foot tall fully lit and decorated Christmas tree in Veterans Park.

A ceremony to inaugurate the lights and illuminate the Christmas tree will be held in Veterans Park on Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.

Dancers from the Napa Dance Studio and Ballet Folklorico will perform. Mayor Jill Techel and US Rep. Mike Thompson will light the tree, followed by an a cappella choir leading the crowd in signing carols. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be available.

The 46th annual Napa Christmas parade will be Nov. 28 at 5 p.m.

This year’s grand marshals are Roger Bubel and Michal Farrell, co-owners of Ben & Jerry’s in the Napa Town Center. Pre-parade entertainment will begin at 4 p.m., for those who want to get a good viewing spot.

Cash awards of $500 will be given for “Best Use of Lights,” “Best Use of Music,” and “Best Business Entry.” The parade begins on First Street at Franklin, and ends at the Oxbow Public Market, where Santa will be on hand to talk to children about their Christmas wish lists. Other entertainment, free hot chocolate and cookies round out the evening.

Entry is free, but entrants must fill out a parade application in advance.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Information and a parade application can be found at www.napadowntown.com, or 257-0322.

Are you feeling lucky?

Thirty-plus stores in downtown are posting six street addresses per store per week, throughout November. If yours is one of them, you win a prize just by claiming it. Is that easy or what?

For all the details and a list of participating stores, visit the November issue of the Napa Valley Marketplace.

Gluten-free

Skip this section if gluten isn’t an issue in your life. If it is, get to Filippi’s Pizza Grotto at 645 First St. across from Taylor’s Refresher. They have a whole menu of gluten-free pastas for you that taste great. Come to think of it, you’ll appreciate this whether your diet is gluten-free or not.

See you Downtown!

Craig Smith is the executive director of the Napa Downtown Association, and can be reached at 257-0322 or craig@napadowntown.com.