Carlsbad kicks off Christmas festivities at the Electric Light Parade
The City of Carlsbad kicked off Christmas a little early this year with a marathon, a tree lighting ceremony and the glistening Electric Light Parade on Nov. 27, 2021.
The festivities began with the Ugly Sweater Fun Run—organized by the United Way of Eddy County—followed by an ugly Christmas sweater contest for people and their k-9 companions.
Event-goers enjoyed live music, took pictures with Santa and visited craft booths at the annual Night of Lights event at Halagueño Arts Park until Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway kicked off the parade by flipping giant switch to start the show and light up the night.
Keep Carlsbad Beautiful Director Mary Garwood said people seemed really excited for the parade, and even came early after it had to be canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There is a really great vibe here tonight," Garwood said as she registered parade participants.
The Zia Family Bike & Board Shop won first place in the best "Carlsbad Christmas" vacation; TLC Health won first place in the Most "Griswold Christmas" Vacation contest and The Boys & Girls Club of Carlsbad won best in show.
The United Way of Eddy County collected donations for a Carlsbad couple that lost their home to a house fire on Thanksgiving.
More: Home destroyed in Thanksgiving fire
Debby Terrazas and Anthony Alonzo—also known as DJ G Money—said they wanted to take the opportunity to help them after such a terrible tragedy.
The parade lineup spanned over two blocks down Mermod Street next to the Carlsbad Public Library. Garwood said over there over 36 contestants took part.
Janway said the parade had a great turnout this year.
He lead the parade in a 1959 Edsel that belonged to his father followed by a vintage police car driven by the Carlsbad Police Department.
Hyrum and Pat Lairy rode down the parade route as Mr. and Mrs. Clause on their motorcycle. Hyrum Lairy said they always take part in parades and decided it would be a good idea to take part in the Electric Light Parade.
"It started out that we are going to do Christmas cards and have a portrait made as Santa and Mrs. Clause and figured we'd join the parade too," Hyrum Lairy said.
The car club Low Pro Familia also joined the parade riding their customized lowriders.
The garage band "Shapes and Colors," rocked the night away as they made it through the parade route. The group of high school seniors said they were in the parade last year and had a lot of fun, so they wanted to do it again this year.
The teens said their band doesn't get the chance to play for people often, but the parade gave them that opportunity.
"We love to make music together, it's really fun," said the band's singer Tessa. "So any chance we have to play music together we like to take it, especially if it's something fun like this for the community."
Claudia Silva is a reporter from the UNM Local Reporting Fellowship. She can be reached at csilva2@currentargus.com, by phone at (575) 628-5506 or on Twitter @thewatchpup.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Carlsbad kicks off Christmas festivities at the Electric Light Parade
