The 29th annual Parade of Lights will continue its normal route this year even with the recent addition of medians on Main Street.
Terry McCabe, broker and associate for Century 21 West Slope Realty and parade chairwoman, said the Four Corners Board of Realtors Parade of Lights, which takes place the first Saturday of December every year, marks the beginning of the holiday season in Cortez.
“Last year we had 75 entries,” McCabe said. “It’s a huge parade.”
Entering a float in the parade is free, McCabe said. Businesses, nonprofits and individuals can submit an application to join. She said the Four Corners Board of Realtors puts on the event as a way to give back to the community.
There will be a slight change this year with the recent construction of several medians in downtown Cortez. McCabe said businesses have agreed to give up street parking on the north side of Main Street, so the parade will travel in the eastbound lane.
Lisa Ann Schwantes, region 5 communications manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation, stated in an email to The Journal that the medians do not have an impact on the special event highway closure application.
McCabe said Main Street businesses were on board with the temporary elimination of parking. In previous years, she said, spectators would save parking spots along the parade route 12 hours in advance, so there’s really not much of a difference this year.
McCabe said the parade, which begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, brings people downtown all day long to shop at local stores and eat at local restaurants. This year’s theme is “Rustlin’ and Wranglin’ Christmas Cheer.”
“It brings everybody out,” McCabe said of the parade. “It’s a kickoff to the holiday season.”
She said parade entries usually start coming in hot around mid-November.
For an entry form, visit fourcornersboardofrealtors.net, email McCabe at terrymc@move2swcolo.com or download the form attached to this article.
sdolan@the-journal.com
