Dear Editor,

I would like to thank the following people, businesses and organizations for all their help with the Monte Vista Holiday Festival – 2017: SLV Rural Electric Co-op, Valley Tractor Repair, Dr. Brian Roberts D.D.S, Rio Grande Savings & Loan, Absolute Shine Auto Body & Paint, Colorado Potato Administration, Monte Vista Machine & Tool, Pepper Equipment, Jack’s Market Pharmacy, MV Safeway, Don Tomas Bakery, City of Monte Vista Public Works Department, Rob Vance, Lowell Bolt, City of Monte Vista Police Department, Committee Member Chief John Rosecrans, MV Fire Department, Fire Chief Pat Sullivan, MV Recreation Department, Committee Member Jaime Hurtado, Bob Bryning, Committee Member Carol Schroeder, Shon Davis, Cliff Kincannon, Justin Ratzlaff, Stars Restaurant, Stars and Strikes Bowling Alley, Committee Member Azarel Madrigal, Committee Member Anika Velasquez, Monte Vista Kids Connection staff,  Committee Member Chelsea Martinez, Vali 3 Theater Board, Monte Vista Schools Facilities Department, Joey Montoya, Monte Vista School Board, Manuel Archuleta and family, ASU Choral Group – 68 West, Committee Member Shelby Honeycutt, Committee Member Cindy Morgan, The Feed Store Church, Eli Heredia, Monte Vista Rotary Club, Committee Member Jerry Apker, Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce, Jim Poston, Matthew Martinez, Carolyn Gonzales, Susan Inness, Officer David Pino, Jarod Lucero, Kim Marquez Photography, Monte Vista High School Junior Class parents, MVP Elite Basketball Club parents, Courtney Baker, Andrea Oakes-Jaramillo, Linda Pacheco, KSLV Radio and Valley Publishing.

I would also like to thank the following groups and businesses for placing an entry in the Parade of Lights: Monte Vista Police Department, Girls Scouts of CO (Rachel Van’s Troops), St. Joseph’s Youth Choir, San Luis Valley Auto Repair, Monte Vista Pee Wee Cheerleading, Monte Vista Kiwanis Club, Monte Vista Rotary Club, Monte Vista Schools Facilities Department, Monte Vista High School Student Council, Monte Vista High School Key Club. Monte Vista Ambulance Service and Monte Vista Fire Department.

Finally, I would like to thank all the people who dropped off cookies, donated canned food items, the vendors at the Crafter’s Bizarre and community members who came out and supported any and or all of the Holiday Festival 2017 events. 

It takes money and people to make these events happen, and the Holiday Festival truly would not happen without anyone of the above pieces. If I left anyone out, I apologize.

Debbie Garcia, Monte Vista Mayor