A thousand points of light

The glimmer of the thousands and thousands of lights reflected off the eyes of doe-eyed children as they watched floats travel by, awaiting for the one they call Santa Claus.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Children of the First United Methodist Church in Portales sing Christmas carols on their float as they wave to parade-goers Friday night at the Portales Light Parade.

Families and residents lined the sidewalks of Second Street to watch the Portales Light Parade and enjoy the Christmas Jubilee Friday night, sponsored by the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce.

Here's a how few people spent their time at event:

• The Scotts of Clovis were trying to cram in as many Christmas activities as they can this season, including traveling to Portales to enjoy the light parade.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Rebecca Scott, 1 1/2, squirms in her mother Leslie Scott's arms as she signals in excitement that more twinkling parade floats are coming. Leslie's husband Nathan Scott, an airman from Cannon Air Force Base, hasn't been home for Christmas in two years so they were happy to enjoy Friday's parade as a family.

"This is my first time home for Christmas in two years," said Nathan Scott, an airman from Cannon Air Force Base.

Nathan Scott said this is the first year he's been able to enjoy Christmas with his wife Leslie and daughter Rebecca, 1 and-a-half.

"We came down here because she just loves the lights at that age," Leslie Scott said, pointing at her daughter.

Every time a parade float with many lights came passing by, Rebecca pointed to it in excitement.

"My favorite part is watching her reaction to the lights," Nathan Scott said.

Leslie Scott said her favorite part about watching the parade is looking at all the neat floats.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Second Street in Portales was aglow Friday night as thousands and thousands of lights shined from the Portales Light Parade floats.

She added the parade is special to her because many of the floats were made by community members who put in a lot of work to build them.

"I love the simplicity of the parade," Leslie Scott said.

The Scotts hope to make attending the community light parades a new tradition for their family along with attending the Christmas Eve service at their church.

• It's James Golden's first year directing the Portales Junior High School choir. The eighth-grade honor choir performed "Let it Snow" and other Christmas songs for the crowd that stood waiting the parade to start.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

The Portales High School Choir entertained the Portales Light Parade crowd Friday night on the Roosevelt County Courthouse Square as they sang Christmas tunes including "Silent Night."

"I was happy to have so many students represent and be here for the community," said Golden, a native of Portales. "I'm proud of their dedication and hard work."

Golden said it makes him happy that the community comes together for the season to enjoy the parade because he doesn't feel it happens often.

As Golden said he was proud of his students, his students reciprocated the feeling and expressed how proud they are of him.

"He's doing an amazing job," said eighth-grader Elena Ceniceros. "The piano, let's not even talk about it, he's the best piano player ever."

Ceniceros said she loves to be on stage and perform, especially at community events.

"Music is my life," she said. "I come out nervous at first but once we start singing, I get lost in the music."

• Members of Victory Life Church in Portales sold baked goods such as Christmas cookies and pumpkin bread to people walking by their stand on Second Street.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Members of Victory Life Church in Portales sold cinnamon rolls, Christmas cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats at Friday's Light Parade to raise money to send their youth on a missionary trip to New York City.

In addition to enjoying the parade, the members were holding a bake sale to raise funds to send their youth members to New York City next summer for missionary work.

"I'm excited to work with the homeless and shelters," said Ashley Evans, 15, of Portales.

Evans said this is her second year attending the parade. She moved here last year from Amarillo after her father accepted the position as the children's pastor at Victory Life.

"Compared to Amarillo's Christmas parade, this one has more of a sense of community," Evans said.