My First Trip to the Clovis Children's Electric Christmas Parade

The Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade

The Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade marched through last Saturday, which means that someone you know probably rode on a tractor trailer covered in lights last weekend. Ask around the work water cooler and see if I’m right. I think the whole town was there. At least every high school marching band and quite a few of the city’s llamas…not that you work with llamas.

Kids, Crowds, and Chicken Soup

I have never gone because (Grinch alert!) I’ve never wanted to take my children. I have four boys and they karate chop constantly, so I avoid large crowds of people who frown upon being hit by an enthusiastic elbow. However, my friend Sarah invited my family to watch from Athletic Performance on Clovis Avenue and I decided to risk it all for the sake of a saved seat.

I questioned my decision when I heard myself yelling, “No touching! Do NOT LICK!” in the car. We arrived a half hour early, but we only parked a few blocks away. If you’re considering a new family tradition next year, wear reflective clothing or pack a flashlight for the walk. Even more fun, follow other’s festive idea of decorating strollers and wagons in twinkle lights.

Once we arrived, I discovered that Sarah had made paleo chicken soup for everyone. The crowd was definitely child-friendly. Policemen with reindeer antlers patrolled the streets and kids ran around everywhere. It’s festive and fun, but it was also chilly; wear a winter coat. Dessert was candy canes and a thermos of hot cocoa. This was a long parade, owing to the fact that everyone in town was in it, so I was glad my kids had snacks and hearty soup.

Cars, Trucks and Good Cheer

The Clovis Police Department led the parade and my children hooted with delight at the flashing lights and cheerful beep of sirens. I loved how people shouted out, “Thank you for your service!” as floats of veterans passed by. The gratitude continued through the whole event. My kids quickly grasped the spirit of cheer and screamed an aggressive “MERRY CHRISTMAS” at every car, float, and puppy that passed. Often they were rewarded with a return greeting or a cheerful horn honk. I can honestly say that of all of the local holiday events I’ve attended, this one had the most good cheer. The drum majors from local school bands walked along the crowds and handed out high fives. Even some participants on horseback stopped along the route to interact with the kids.

If you or anyone you know likes vehicles, this is the event to attend. For example, I saw bikes, motorcycles, jeeps, a helicopter, garbage trucks, fire trucks, vintage cars, and semi-trucks, all covered in Christmas lights. A child sang Christmas carols from a fire engine. One jeep had several large reindeer’s of light dancing on the hood.

The parade ended around 9 p.m. with a bang: the street cleaning trucks cruised by, twinkling as they swept the streets.

Although this was my first time at the Light Parade, it won’t be my last. Just seeing my kids scream holiday greetings for two hours was enough to make me want to go back. Finally, there’s something magical about a trash truck that twinkles in the night that makes me want to incorporate it in my family holiday traditions.

Have you attended the parade? Any tips? The Old Town Kiwanis Club hosted this year’s event and the Sierra Vista Mall provided a shuttle service to the parade from their community park (something to watch for next year). Were you on a float this year? Did you walk a llama down the streets of Old Town? Leave a comment below and share your story!