MONTE VISTA - The Monte Vista Downtown Christmas Celebration is still a go but with a few creative changes due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the San Luis Valley. Saturday, Dec. 5, they plan to have a tree lighting and Christmas caroling at Fullenwider Park at 5:30 p.m.

Then on Dec. 19 at 5:30 they hope to have the light parade but it will look a little different this year.

Jennifer Becker who is organizing the event said that Unita Vance shared some creative ideas to keep the celebration alive. “Thank you Unita for your idea,” said Becker when she shared the plan at the last City Council meeting. Becker adding, “I was really distraught. I didn’t want to cancel this thing completely. I really feel like we need some happiness in our lives right now.”

Becker went on to explain how they can do the parade socially distanced saying, “We’re going to do what’s called a ‘parked parade.’ Still going to take parade entries like we normally would but people would just park them in the assigned places all over town. Our thoughts are we’ll start in the City Hall parking lot and direct people there to pick up a map.”

Participants can follow the map and drive around town to see all the floats. “You’ll get a map with a star marking everywhere there is a float. My thoughts are I’ll have a couple set up right there at Chapman park across from the Mormon church to kind of get them started. Coop is getting involved this year so we will literally have people going all the way from Chapman park clear out to the Coop,” said Becker.

There is a lot of excitement that the floats will be able to be even more elaborate than in years past. Since the floats will not be mobile, participants will be able to create full scenes at their spots around town. There will also be trophies given to the two best floats.

Becker also sharing that even though there won’t be a North Pole this year Santa will still be showing up and will be somewhere where he can wave to children from a distance. There will also be a box to collect children’s letters to Santa. “No North Pole, but we’re still trying to make it as fun as we possibly can for the kids. Still going to really push the house decorating contest. That’s something else we can incorporate while people are driving around looking at floats.”

Becker also shared that they hope businesses will get into the spirit of things too and decorate their windows like last year. There will be prizes for the participating business and there will also be prizes for the top 3 houses that win the house decorating contest.

Nothing in 2020 has been normal and it seems the holidays won’t be either. But with a little creativity the community of Monte Vista is proving that this season can still be just as special. If you would like to enter the parade, business window decorating, or house decorating contest contact Jennifer Becker at: [email protected]  or by phone at (719) 850-2709.