Parades set to light up night

Little says Christmas more than an after-dark parade with floats full of festive lights and adorned with holiday decorations, topped off with a tree lighting along the way and a visit from the big man Santa Claus himself.

Both Clovis and Portales will be hosting Christmas parades this weekend.

Portales parade is Friday

Portales' parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, starting at the Portales Rec Center and looping around the courthouse before disbanding at C&S.

Chamber of Commerce officials are hoping for a big turnout.

"It's become a lot more popular than our heritage day parade, but probably not as big as the (Eastern New Mexico University homecoming) parade," said Karl Terry, executive director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce.

Terry said that on a good year the parade brings in around 1,500 spectators, but things can vary depending on the weather.

Friday night's forecast calls for temperatures in the 40s with light winds.

This year the parade will be led by the little miss merry christmas Pageant participants followed by the Portales High School Rams state-championship football team.

The Portales parade will be judged and have three categories: business, religious and non-profit. First place participants will receive a plaque. There will be no special theme for the parade other than Christmas.

"We normally have a lot of entries, though the churches are probably our lightest category. We do get a lot of businesses and non-profits though," Terry said.

Terry said the chamber would prefer that anyone hoping to participate will register for the parade as soon as possible, but if push comes to shove, anyone who shows up on time before the parade starts will be allowed to participate. There is no entry fee for the Portales parade.

Before the parade there will be live music on the square starting at 5:30 p.m. and free hot chocolate at the Legacy Monuments starting at 6 p.m.

For more information call the Chamber at 575-356-8541.

'A Christmas Story' in Clovis

The Clovis parade organized by Clovis Main Street kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday and travels from 14th Street down Main Street. Just as the parade passes Seventh Street, the city will hold its Christmas tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.

"It's the largest parade we do all year and the largest free public event we do for families," said Lisa Pellegrino-Spear, executive director of Clovis Main Street.

This year's theme is "A Clovis Christmas Story" inspired by the holiday film. Participants are encouraged to work elements of the movie into their floats however they can.

"We're tying it into anything related to that movie. Like the pink bunny suit, the Red Ryder BB gun, that kind of thing," Pellegrino-Spear said. "Every year we try to pick a theme everyone will enjoy and since it's a holiday classic movie we made it our theme this year."

The participants of the Clovis parade will be judged on creativity, lights and use of theme under four categories: marching, large float, small float and automotive. Prizes will be awarded to the top three participants in each, as well as a grand prize and a people's choice award.

This particular theme has been talked about for several years and organizers expect between 75 and 100 entries for this year's parade.

The deadline to enter is by the end of Thursday. There will be a $10 minimum entry fee for each participant.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Pellegrino-Spear at 575-356-8541; send an email to [email protected] or download an application at:

clovismainstreet.org

"Anyone who wants to be a part of it is welcome to join. It's a great chance to show off your business or organization," Pellegrino-Spear said. "We expect 8,000 to 10,000 people to come out and attend and we're excited to have people come from all over the region to watch or participate."

The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 40s, but winds could be 15-20 mph.

There will be open houses and Christmas specials at businesses around town on the day of the parade, as well as free photos with Santa at the Railroad Park. There will be several free events for kids at the Clovis-Carver Public Library, including arts and crafts at 4 p.m., a children's book reading at 4:30 p.m. and free cookies and cocoa at 5 p.m.