A successful Event Filled With Fun, Cookies, and Santa
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The annual Grants Light Parade, hosted by Grants MainStreet Project, Inc., went off without a problem! The cold air was illuminated by the beauty of parade floats covered in bright lights with an appearance from Santa Claus. Courtesy Photo
GRANTS, N.M. – The December 10 Holiday Light Parade was a roaring success with 500-1,000 attendees and twenty float entries. Though the noon day events began with a trickle of families by 5 p.m. the streets were packed with residents excited to view the parade. According to Will Yarborough, the Executive Director of the Grants MainStreet Project, “yes, the parade achieved what I had envisioned.” There was a long line for Santa photos. All of the 1,600 cookies donated by the Good Samaritan Society were gobbled up, and Mt. Taylor Coffee Company provided free hot chocolate and cookie service. Due to so many late float entrants, the judges are still deliberating, and the winners should be announced by December 14. A special thanks goes out to Homestake Mining Company for sponsoring the cash prizes. The City of Grants provided the park, the decorations, and the city workers. The Grants-Cibola County Chamber of Commerce handled the registrations for the parade and all the logistics, Continental Divide Electric Coop and Red Bolt Broadband delivered Santa and all the music to the festivities.
Grants holiday spirit did not dim with the end of the Light Parade. Main-Street Project is still encouraging businesses in the MainStreet economic district, as well as organizations in the county circuit (Village of Milan, Bluewater, San Rafael, San Mateo) including Acoma and Laguna Pueblo, to register for the Light Up Cibola eventshowcasing the creativity of local businesses. Best decorated business wins a $500 top prize plus trophy. The non-profit Cibola Communities Economic Development Foundation purchased boxes of lights to give out to businesses to encourage participation. Businesses can still reach out to MainStreet Project for free lights while supplies last. Businesses and organizations that have not yet registered (the free registration began Nov. 28) have until close of business day on December 28 to register. If a business needs a form, contact Will Yarborough at MainStreet Project 505-658-2450 or email grantsmainstreet66@ gmail.com. Winners announced on or around January 4, 2023.
For community members who like to plan ahead, MainStreet Project is organizing the Mother Road Car Show June 2 – 4. MainStreet Director, Yarborough, said he would like to have as much community involvement as possible, so there will be a planning meeting on January 9 at 5:30 p.m. The group will discuss music, food, cars, and anything else related to showcasing the importance of Route 66 and making the Mother Road Car Show a success.