Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Mr. and Mrs. Clovis Sparkle Greyson Williams and Alana Ambroziak wave to the convoy of paradegoers during Saturday night's Clovis Christmas Lites Parade. The parade was a static display, with motorists backed up on various Clovis streets to drive through the display throughout the two-hour timeframe.
Not even a worldwide pandemic could stop Christmas parades in Clovis and Portales over the weekend.
Organizers reported mixed results - long lines on the downside - but thousands turned out to see both communities' "stationary parades," which featured floats parked for cars full of area residents to drive past.
In downtown Portales, the Friday night theme was "Don't Let the Lights Go Out on Portales."
"I went to bed (Thursday night) worried that nobody would come, then the night after I was worried if everybody got the chance to see it," said Karl Terry, director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce. "The biggest problem was the traffic was really backed up, but we had a good turnout."
Clovis had similar issues along its Main Street on Saturday night, with some reporting they had to wait more than an hour to see the floats. Clovis police call logs showed 18 traffic accidents were reported between 5:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, though it wasn't clear if all the minor crashes were related to parade-bound cars lined up from Mabry Drive to 21st Street.
Social media critiques ranged from complaints about the waits to the joy some saw in children's eyes as they took in the light sights.
"It was a success as far as getting people out of the house and being able to do the event in a safe way," Terry said.
Portales police reported no traffic accidents as a result of their parade.
One of the biggest contributors to the Portales parade was its high school senior class. Terry said the Class of 2021 contributed 32 floats, many of which were their individual vehicles dressed up in lights.
