Where to Watch and Enjoy
GRANTS, N.M. – The annual Holiday Light Parade will take place on Saturday, December 10th at approximately 5:45pm and wrap up around 8pm. Since 1997 the parade route began in the empty lot next to El Cafecito and headed west on Santa Fe ending at Silver Avenue. Now to align with the Grant’s Main Street District - an economic program set up to create jobs and revitalize businessesthis year’s parade route is new and begins on Anderman Street winding up to Santa Fe and heading westbound on Santa Fe to end at Wayne Avenue. The float staging area will be in the lot by TBone’s Gym, and float crews should arrive by 5 p.m.
Though the parade will kick off in the early evening hours, the fun actually begins at noon at City Hall Park (where the red caboose sits) where food trucks, vendors, hot cocoa, and cookies will be on hand. Photo opportunities at the Route 66 neon sign will be available all day, and even Santa Claus will be delivered to his sleigh, courtesy of the Continental Divide bucket truck, to meet the kids - big and little- for photos, free gifts, and good cheer.
This year’s Light Parade Grand Marshal is Ms. Dene Martin, the owner and operator of Serenade Music. When approached by Mr. Yarborough about the Grand Marshal role, she said, “I saw people sitting in a vehicle and waving, and I thought I could do that.” The former piano and guitar teacher said her only regret is that if she’s in the parade she won’t be able to watch it. Dene Martin has been operating Serenade Music in Grants, NM for 58 years and also has a store in Gallup. The store offers instruments for sale (layaway is possible), and there’s an instrument rental program for high schoolers in band.
According to Will Yarborough, the executive director of the Grant’s Main Street Project, “the mission of Grant’s Main Street is to focus on developing the economy within the Main Street corridor by investing and rehabilitating properties, by promoting the district through flagship events, and by sharing best business practices and training opportunities.” Mr. Yarborough coordinated the 2018 Light Parade as well as this one. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend the event that will give more businesses the opportunity to be seen and patronized.
As there is construction near the Post Office, parade attendees need to know that they cannot line up from the Post Office to Gold Avenue. There is a $10 entry fee for floats, but the Light parade is free. The float contest will be judged by a Main Street Board member, a city councilor, and a local business person. Top prize for the winning float will be $500, second prize is $300, and the third prize will be $200 courtesy of Homestake Mining Company. The float theme is Red or Green. Other event sponsors include Grants Cibola Chamber of Commerce, City of Grants, Red Bolt Broadband, and Continental Divide Electric Co-op.