Traditional parades planned for area

Clovis and Portales are planning traditional Christmas light parades this weekend — in other words, the parades will pass by viewers, rather than the reverse.

Both cities last year hosted “static parades,” in which viewers drove by the line of floats and other entries in their own cars in effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The result was long lines of traffic and a yearning for a return to normal.

So this year, the parades will move as parades usually do.

The Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce is organizing Portales' annual Christmas Light Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

The Clovis MainStreet Christmas Light Parade will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Portales Christmas Light Parade

Activities get under way at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the Portales town square at 109 W. First St., with music provided for early arrivers, said Karl Terry, the chamber's director.

The parade will begin at the city's Recreation Center at 18th Street and Avenue I. It will progress east on 18th Street to D Street, and continue north on D Street to C Street, then northwest on C Street to Second Avenue. It will continue northwest on Second to Main Street, then west along Main to First Street. At First Street, the route continues southwest to the C&S store parking lot at B Street and First, Terry said.

Leading the parade will be a float carrying the little miss merry christmas, who will be crowned at a pageant that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Memorial Building at East Seventh Street and South Abilene Avenue, Portales.

The winner will be the contestant who has raised the most in donations in a fundraising effort that began Nov. 4, Terry said. Eleven youth are running for the title.

Participants in the parade will be able to sign up until the parade begins lining up at 18th Street and Avenue I at 5:45 p.m., Terry said, but earlier registration is much preferred. Participants can sign up on the chamber's website at Portales.com, or by calling 575-356-5354.

Any Christmas-themed entry is welcome, Terry said.

Following the parade, awards will be given to entries judged to be the best three in business, non-profit and government, and religious group categories, Terry said.

Clovis MainStreet Christmas Light Parade

Clovis' annual holiday parade is set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, with a theme of “A Classic Christmas.” The parade will proceed south on Main Street from 14th Street to Second Street, according to Lisa Pellegrino-Spear, executive director of Clovis MainStreet, the parade's organizer.

Pellegrino-Spear is planning on “one of the biggest parades yet” this year after last year's static parade.

Events are planned at downtown locations before and after the parade, she said.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, families will be able to pose for free photos with Santa Claus at the Railroad Park, 221 W. First St., Clovis.

From 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Clovis-Carver Public Library will host Christmas book readings and craft activities, and at 5 p.m. library staff will serve hot cocoa.

Before the parade, food trucks will be parked at the Food Truck Park at Eighth and Main to allow a meal before the procession begins, Pellegrino-Spear said.

Today is the last day for parade entrants to register. There is a minimum entry donation charge of $20 for each entry. Donations are payable to Clovis MainStreet and will cover organizational and marketing costs for the parade, Pellegrino-Spear said.

Any Christmas-themed entries will be welcome, she said, and lots of lights are suggested on any entry.

Donations can be made in advance with forms turned in at Clovis Chamber of Commerce headquarters, 105 E. Grand Ave., Clovis, or online through PayPal at clovismainstreet.com.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries selected by judges in marching / walking / equestrian, large float, small float and automobile or equipment without trailers, Pellegrino-Spear said. There will also be people's choice awards, she said.

Parade entrants will start gathering at Hillside Plaza, 21st Street and Main Street at 5 p.m. Saturday. Walkers, equestrian and marching bands will line up at Marshall Junior High School, 100 Commerce Way, Clovis.

More information is available by calling or texting Clovis MainStreet at 575-309-8370, or emailing [email protected].