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On Saturday December 5, 2009, hundreds of people turned out in the City of Española to celebrate the city’s fourteenth annual “Electric Light Parade” and the fourth annual “Christmas on the Plaza”. People came from as far away as Artesia, New Mexico, and Window Rock, Arizona, to watch the parade and enjoy the festivities. Festivities began at 3pm with booths and entertainment that included the Tewa Choir from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, a Children’s Folklorico Ballet and live music by the local band “Alma”. This year the light parade, the largest in the state, included forty floats and police and fire escort vehicles. Participants included non-profit organizations, government agencies, business and commercial entries, and floats created by individuals. “Best of Show” was awarded to the New Creation Ministry. The parade began at 6pm. Following the parade, Española Mayor Joseph Maestas lit the city’s Christmas Tree as part of the “Christmas on the Plaza” ceremony, a tradition Maestas began in 2006. “The Light Parade has always been a great event,” said the Mayor, “but after the parade there wasn’t much to do and everyone was always in the holiday spirit and wanting to stay and continue the fun, so I began “Christmas on the Plaza” to make the day a full day of celebration and events.” The “Downtown Action Team” and the city also had farolitos and luminarias at the plaza. The Chamber of Commerce and Boy Scout Troop 426 served hot chocolate to the crowd, and Santa Claus visited with kids of all ages. People began gathering for the event the morning of Thursday, December 3rd, parking RVs along the parade route and camping for two days to make sure they had “good seats” for the parade.
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