Parade glows through Clovis

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Clovis’ Shirley Wolfenvarder and Charley O’Barney, 4, wave to parade spectators from the Clovis/Curry County 50-plus Olympics float in Saturday’s Christmas Light Parade.

Red, green and blue lights danced across little Darcee Thoms’ face as it peeked out of her hooded coat Saturday while she waved at the parade floats moving by.

Dressed for chilly weather, the three-year-old yelled, “Merry Christmas” as she ran to pick up candy thrown by people in the parade.

Her mother, Krissa Thoms, 38, said she was waiting for the Santa Claus float most of all.

“Christmas holiday is coming,” said Darcee.

Darcee and her family were among the hundreds of Clovis residents who lined up along Main Street to watch the Clovis Christmas Light Parade.

While still chilly at 44 degrees, Saturday’s weather was more tolerable than previous year’s, which fell to lows of 30.

Between 70 to 75 entries, which included floats, marching groups and automobiles decorated in Christmas lights, paraded south on Main Street starting at 14th Street and ending on Grand Street.

Krissa Thoms said her family tries to make it to the parade every year.

“We’re getting in the Christmas spirit,” she said.

Jon Thoms, 41, said they arrived on Main Street for the parade at 5 p.m., an hour before it started.

“It was crowded already,” he said.

This year’s entries didn’t match last year’s 100, but Clovis MainStreet Executive Director Robyne Beaubien said last year’s participation was bolstered by the city’s 100th year anniversary.

“It’s typical that we would have about 50 entries,” she said before an award ceremony for the parade at the Master’s Centre.

Clovis MainStreet organizes the parade, which is sponsored by the Plains Regional Medical Center, she said.

Bronwyn Guthals, 12, said she enjoyed the PRMC float, which featured a singing Elvis dressed in a Santa Claus costume.

Her family, including her brother, grandmother and aunt, were at the parade to watch their relatives, who were in a Yucca Middle School float.

“I think its a really nice parade for this sized town,” said Nancy Guthals.

View a video of the parade at cnjonline.com

Parade winners:

First Place:

• Walking – Yucca Middle School, Marshall Middle School, Clovis High School Freshman Campus drill teams

• Motor – Clovis Ink

• Float – Farmers Electric

Second Place

• Walking – Clovis High School Junior Air Force ROTC

• Motor – Faith Christian Family Church

• Float – Plains Regional Medical Center

Third Place

• Walking – Southwest Flavor

• Motor – Brewer Jeep

• Float – Preferred Painters