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A slice of tradition brings out the community for a much-needed dose of normalcy in a year that has been anything but normal.

The 31st annual Parade of Lights, organized by the Four Corners Board of Realtors, took to Main Street on Saturday night at 6 p.m., continuing the cherished December event for the Four Corners region.

Downtown Main Street was a vibrant, glittering, musical and cheerful scene for the traditional holiday parade. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets and medians, as 32 floats slowly passed by.

The event is creative outlet for the community, and this year did not disappoint.

People were inspired people to go all out, said Ty Harris, whose float featured a giant dump truck full of presents on a semitrailer bed.

Jace Harris operated an excavator that picked up presents and filled the truck, which was decked out in lights.

“The whole family worked on it quite awhile and had fun. We bought a lot of lights and decorations from the local thrift stores,” said Harris.

“We always watched this parade as kids, now we’re building our own floats, coming up with ideas for next year already,” Tyler Holaday said.

Branson Tractors and Ace’s Auto teamed up to build a float that showed Santa caught in a trap hanging upside down.

“The Grinch is stealing Santa in a 1954 Ford Truck,” said Chance Comiski. “We wanted to bring some comedy to the parade.”

Kevin Rice, of Branson’s Tractors, came up with the idea, he said.

Staff and family of Countryside Disposal had a movie projector playing “The Grinch” movie.

“In Cortez, we are proud of our big parades,” Herman Rosas said.

Ephrim Dutchie came over with family and friends from White Mesa, Utah, to participate in the parade. “We do it for the kids, and for the holiday spirit,” he said. “We really needed this to lift the spirits for the community. It’s a great way to come together.”

Nikki Marshall was grateful the parade was not canceled because of the pandemic. Her daughters Sophia and Bella were bubbling with excitement.

“It’s outside, clean family fun. I love seeing my firefighting friends and the classic cars,” Marshall said. Sophia likes the Grinch, she said, and Bella hoped to see a horse dressed up as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.

Kids from various schools were stationed at the judges’ table at Market and Main streets.

“I’m looking if the float is presented well, how creative it is, the music that is playing. Then of course, does it have enough lights!” said judge Maddisyn VanGrandt. “It’s fun helping to decide the best ones.”

The resultsCategories for floats were “Commercial,” “Nonprofit” and “Other.”

For the commercial category, first place went to Holaday Trucking/Harris Dirt Works/Harris Transportation. Second place was Aaron’s Sales and Lease, and third place was Colorado Title and Closing Services.

For the nonprofit category, first place went to Dolores Playground Group. Second place was Celebrate Recovery Rock Springs Church, and third place was Girl Scouts Service Unit 206.

In the other category, first place went to the Montezuma County Patriots. Second place was the Four Corners Dancers, and Third Place was Koskies.

The judges were Tara Buffington of Dove Creek, Erin Lawrence of Mancos, Chesnie Patrick of Montezuma-Cortez High School, Maddisyn VanGrandt of Cortez Middle School and Dylan Koskie of Dolores Schools.

“It was a fun night. All the floats were well done and bright, nobody went halfway,” said organizer Michelle Morris. “The crowd looked so happy with a lot of pictures and video being taken.”

As anticipation increased throughout the week, so too did the float count, which was into the 30s and climbing by Wednesday, according to Terry McCabe, parade organizer and Four Corners Board of Realtors member.

While float numbers might have been lower than the past couple of years, which saw over 60 floats apiece, McCabe was encouraged by some entries from local businesses participating for the first time. They joined some of the Parade of Lights mainstays, including this year’s parade marshal, the Dolores Playground Group.

Floats from various local businesses and organizations vied for cash prizes among the top three placing floats in each of three categories – commercial, nonprofit and other.

Last year’s top three in each category were Stormy’s ATC Gymnastics, Slavens True Value, and TruWest Auto in the Commercial category; the Girl Scout Service Unit 206, Re-1 Transportation and Whimspire Child Placement Agency in the Nonprofit category; and Copeland Family USA Truck, Cortez 911 Dispatch Center and Four Corners Reenacting in the Other category.

Local youths ages 10 to 15 representing each of the local communities were tasked with picking their favorite floats from this year’s entrants based on various criteria, including lights, music, workmanship and adherence to this year’s parade theme – “Maybe Christmas, Perhaps, Means a Little Bit More.” Celebrating the importance of the holidays for families, and especially children, this year’s theme goes hand in hand with the elements that the Four Corners Board of Realtors put in place for the parade.

From the youth-based judge’s panel to the Dolores Playground Group as parade marshal, each detail focused on making this year’s event special for the youths participating in floats or in attendance as spectators.

The Parade of Lights was a focal point for driving public interest and fundraising several years ago, so this year’s parade serves as a celebration following the successful completion of playground in Joe Rowell Park earlier this year.

The whole process to even have a parade this year has been strewn with obstacles, said McCabe, so getting to keep the tradition going would mark a success.

“We’re planning on everything moving forward as planned,” she said, noting that cooperation from the Colorado Department of Transportation was an integral part of the operation, given the parade’s route on a highway. Expecting a large crowd, local health officials encouraged precautions by participants and spectators to keep the event safe and enjoyable. As Montezuma County moved to Level Orange on Colorado’s COVID-19 risk assessment dial, outdoor events were limited to 75 people.

McCabe echoed the precautions outlined by the Montezuma County Public Health Department, encouraging that all participants be responsible for their family and safety. Mesa Media Productions streamed the event live.

The success of the event hinges on community participation, but not just from the float creators. McCabe counted on 25 to 30 volunteers, many of whom are Board of Realtors members, working behind the scenes Saturday to help the event run smoothly.