Despite temperatures that dipped well below freezing Dec. 5, crowds along Paseo de Oñate were packed elbow-to-elbow to view the 14th Annual Española Valley Light Parade.
“We had a record crowd,” said parade organizer Eric Quintana. “And we had 38 floats this year, which is a record too.”
The light parade solicits floats from Valley organizations to unofficially kick off the holiday season in Española. The theme this year was “It’s an Old Fashioned Christmas.”
Visitors came from all over New Mexico and all over the Southwest to see the fun. Leah Atencio of Payson, Ariz. said she was impressed with the display.
“You definitely know something is worthwhile when a crowd this size shows up in this cold to see it,” she said. “I definitely think this is worthwhile.”
2009 Annual Electric Light Parade Winners
Business or Commercial
1st – Española Transit Mix
2nd – Valley National Bank
3rd – Del Norte Credit Union
Non-Profit
1st – New Creation Ministry
2nd – Los Lobos 4-H
3rd – Jemez Mountains Electric Cooperative
Government
1st – Española City Hall
2nd – Española Municipal Court
3rd – Española Fiesta Council
Individuals
1st – Vicente and Monica Valdez
2nd – Weekend Warriors Mud Boggers
3rd – Española Valley Corvettes
Grand Prize/Best in Show
New Creation Ministry