Photos by Marie Mccolm

MONTE VISTA — If you have driven through Monte Vista recently, you probably noticed that there are more Christmas lights this year.

There are lights in abundance at Fullenwider Park, with both large Pine trees on each end of the park decked out in colorful lights complete with a star on top of both trees. There are also candy cane light wrapped poles in the park, complete with a net of lights making a large colorful walk-through tunnel in the park.

Downtown Adams Street in Monte Vista is also decked out with new lights that look like colored streamers, cascading from one end of the street to the other. The light poles up and down Downtown Monte Vista are decorated with red and white winding lights and topped off with what looks like glowing candles.

City Hall is also more decorated this year with a giant tree decorated in lively colors. 

People all over town have put up lights on their homes, and some even on their vehicles.

Many residences in Monte Vista have lights and inflated decorations in the shape of Santa Clause, and his reindeer, along with Frosty the Snowman, and baby Minnie and Mickey Mouse with Christmas hats, and nativity scenes.

Businesses in town are also adding lights. There are many displays in Downtown business windows that reflect the Merry Country Christmas theme. 

City of Monte Vista Public Works and San Luis Valley Rural Electric have worked on the lights this year. Public works Director Rob Vance ordered several new lights and decorations.

City Manager GiGi Dennis stated, “The City’s deal is that we received two grants this year to help with the lights. The amount was $6,000 each, from the LOR Foundation and from the Robert H. Rawlings Foundation to purchase these additional lights. The City of Monte Vista, put in $6,000, too.”

Dennis noted, “Not all the lights have come in yet, as they come in, we will continue to add throughout the season. The concentration was on Fullenwider Park, and Downtown Monte Vista.” 

Christmas lights were added to the Monte Vista Carnegie Library this year as well.

“I am hoping this all really pops, and our little Monte Vista will really sparkle during the holidays,” Dennis said.