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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Good Morning CdA


Workers assemble the Christmas tree atop the Hagadone Corp. office building in Coeur d'Alene on Monday as a skater makes use of the new ice rink in front of the Coeur d'Alene Resort . Folks in Coeur d'Alene are preparing for a Nov. 28 live shoot by

Some Coeur d’Alene residents will rise before dawn next week to re-create a holiday tradition for a national TV audience.

A crew from ABC’s “Good Morning America” is slated to broadcast a reproduction of the Christmas lighting ceremony, including a miniature fireworks show, live on Nov. 28, starting at 4 a.m. Coordinated by Hagadone Corp. and KXLY, the two-hour event around the Coeur d’Alene Resort should bring positive nationwide exposure to the area, proponents said.

“It’s a great opportunity, once again, for us to get in front of people all across the country and to share with them what a great community Coeur d’Alene is,” said Jonathan Coe, president and general manager of the Chamber of Commerce.

Coeur d’Alene is one of 15 cities nationwide expected to be featured on the show’s “Flip the Switch” promotion, which spotlights holiday light displays, said Melissa Luck, KXLY’s executive news producer.

“If you’ve ever been to the big event, you’ll know why – it’s 1.5 million lights, a parade, fireworks and an incredible sense of community,” Luck recently wrote on her Web log. “Tens of thousands of people flock to this event – it’s easy to see why it was chosen.”

The broadcast, themed “The Little Town That Could,” starts early to accommodate East Coast viewers, but it doesn’t air until 7 a.m. locally. KXLY’s “Good Morning Northwest” also will be on location, starting its broadcast an hour early at 4 a.m., she said.

“Good Morning America,” broadcast from Times Square in New York City, features screaming, sign-holding fans who crowd in front of cameras for their 15 seconds of fame. There should be an opportunity for locals to participate, Luck said.

KXLY plans to give out gift bags to the first 200 people to show up and raffle off a big-screen TV, she said.

Last year, hundreds of people went to Spokane’s Riverfront Park at 4 a.m. for a live broadcast of CBS’s “The Early Show.”

“Good Morning America” producers will scout shooting locations this week, and it’s unclear whether any of the on-air talent will visit, Luck said.

Bill Reagan, resort general manager, expects filming to occur near a new ice-skating rink at the resort and on the boat cruise to the “North Pole” at Casco Bay. Organizers also may orchestrate a small-scale holiday parade. Reagan said he was “absolutely shocked” at the number of people who reserved rooms on Tuesday night to rise early for the festivities.

Short-term, the broadcast might spur viewers in cities such as Seattle and Portland to visit this season, said Terry Cooper, manager of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association.

But some question the value of additional publicity. While residents should be proud about recognition, the area needs adequate infrastructure to handle what’s already developed, said Bev Twillmann, of Neighbors for Responsible Growth.

“I’m not trying to close the gate to anyone else,” Twillmann said. “But unless a community has a responsible plan in place and sticks to it, they will destroy themselves.”

Luck acknowledged people fear overcrowding.

“I hate to tell you, though, word is already out about Coeur d’Alene,” she wrote.

The traditional community ceremony is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Friday with a parade.