Family & Friends Celebrate Loved Ones

GRANTS MEMORIAL PARK’S CHRISTMAS IN JULY

  • A woman decorates a loved ones gravesite on Friday, July 29.In addition to Memorial Park being decorated with ornaments by Mayor Erik Garcia and City employees, many people decorated their loved ones gravesites for the Christmas in July event. Courtesy Photo
    A woman decorates a loved ones gravesite on Friday, July 29.In addition to Memorial Park being decorated with ornaments by Mayor Erik Garcia and City employees, many people decorated their loved ones gravesites for the Christmas in July event. Courtesy Photo
  • A large wreath greets people as they entered Grants Memorial Park July 29-31. Courtesy Photo
    A large wreath greets people as they entered Grants Memorial Park July 29-31. Courtesy Photo
  • Family & Friends Celebrate Loved Ones
    Family & Friends Celebrate Loved Ones
  • Private gravesite décor. Courtesy Photo
    Private gravesite décor. Courtesy Photo

    GRANTS – Last weekend, Grants Memorial Park on Roosevelt Avenue was no spooky dark place. As a matter of fact, it was quite the opposite. “It was a place of peace and comfort.” said Mayor Erik Garcia. “The cemetery should be a safe place, protected. A place we can celebrate our loved ones,” he added.

    With the help of more than a dozen youth workers through the state’s Help NM Program, cemetery maintenance supervisor Isidoro Apodaca, Mayor Garcia decorated the park with Christmas ornaments last week, big and small. From Friday, July 29, through Sunday, July 30, the park was open for people to view the Christmas in July display in the Park.

    A huge snow man near the entry gate demanded attention from drivers. Past the snowman, the park was decorated from one end to the other, including many private gravesites.

    “We have this perception of a cemetery – spooky, scary, dark – why?” the mayor asked. “This past weekend, it was a place of happiness, joy, and comfort. Many people stopped at the cemetery, got down and visited their loved ones until midnight. Children weren’t afraid to get down and play around the park. The park was a place of refuge, it was safe. That’s the way it should be,” the mayor emphasized.

    According to Mayor Garcia, hundreds of people drove to the park over the weekend, many stopping and visiting the park. “Friday was steady, Saturday was busy from 8pm to midnight, my hope is it becomes an annual event,” said Garcia.

    One woman on social media commented on the event, saying it was great therapy. She said there was a comforting aspect to the event, helping heal the pain loved ones have experienced. “I get it,” said the mayor, “I see why the event is good therapy. I saw so many people who were more than happy to celebrate Christmas in July with their loved one. The Holidays are always a difficult time for those mourning a loss. This event, mid-summer, great weather, why not put a positive spin in celebrating a Holiday with their loved one – good energy. I get it now, it makes sense. It definitely felt special,” said the mayor after all the décor was taken down on Monday afternoon.

    Mayor Garcia gave thanks to Help NM, Supervisor Apodaca, the City’s Police Department and Parks Director Jorge Mendez. “Special thanks to the community for supporting and participating in the event,” said Garcia. “The community makes it happen and they are the ones that make it a success, thank you.”