‘Tis the season

Family members James Townson, left, of Melrose, Cody Fullerton, center, 10, of Melrose, and Debbie Spriggs, right, of Clovis, wave to the floats as they stay warm during Saturday’s 2003 Clovis Christmas Light Parade. CNJ photo: Eric Kluth

Temperatures in the 30s didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of youngsters getting ready for Clovis’ Chistmas Light Parade in the parking lot of Hilltop Plaza Saturday — and each group had its own strategy for staying both warm and excited.

Colleen Campos, 9, and Madison Bennett, 5, passengers on a float from Bella Vista Elementary School, had diametrically opposed responses when asked if they were cold.

“Yes,” said Colleen, but “No!” shouted Madison, at the same time.

Why wasn’t she cold? Madison was asked.

“Because this is fun,” she answered.

Members of the X-plosions girls’ softball team were riding a red and yellow float with their team name prominantly displayed, because they are looking for a sponsor. But team member Samantha Parsons said she had her own reason to look forward to the chilly ride down Main Street.

“You get to chunk candy at people,” she said.

Members of Brownie Troop 267 planned to march down Main Street, instead of riding on a float. Each girl was costumed like a Christmas present, with her arms, legs and head sticking through a giant cardboard box with a painted on wrapping paper and bow. Troop member Alexandrea Segura said she wasn’t cold, because underneath she was warmly dressed.

“I’ve got on two of everything,” she said.

Fifty-six floats, large and small, simple and elaborate, plus 35 motorcycles, lined up to participate in this year’s light parade. Everything, from a giant red Coca-Cola delivery truck to a couple of small buggies pulled by miniature horses, hung with Christmas lights.

The parade was put on by the Clovis High Plains Drifters motorcycle club, with help from the Faith Riders motorcycle club of Faith Christian Family Church and 16 area businesses.

“We like to get involved and do things for the community, plus we’re trying to give people a better image of motorcycle clubs,” said Bernice Baker, the High Plains Drifters’ treasurer.

Parade coordinator John Montano said this is the third year the High Plains Drifters have put on the light parade. It is the seventh year Clovis has held a light parade, but the 32nd year it has held a Christmas parade. The Clovis Sertoma Club sponsored the parades until a few years ago, when the Drifters took it over, he said.

Preparing for the parade takes about three months, he said.

“We have to go before the city commission to get approval and we get a lot of help from the city Public Works and Police departments. Members of the motorcycle club pitch in and I get a lot of help from six friends: Rudy Garcia, Wade Wilson, Sondra Joynson, Bobby Sandoval, Al Lujan and Johnny Washington,” he said.