By Mary Jo Coulehan | Pagosa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce
The public is ready, the businesses and nonprofit organizations are ready and, therefore, let the lights shine bright throughout the Pagosa Springs community.
The 2022 Holiday Lighting Contest is in full swing with bright lights and displays on residential, commercial and storefront locations. The judging began on Nov. 25 and will continue until Dec. 18. The lights will remain on until Dec. 31. This is a good time to get out for an evening and take the family to see the lights all along U.S. 160 and then into neighboring areas such as off of U.S. 84 and into the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association area.
An easy way to plan your excursion is to download the Holiday Lighting app on your iPhone or Android phone. Go to your app or play store and look for the Visit Pagosa Springs app. Once that app is downloaded, go to “Things to Do” and click on “tours.” The Holiday Lights Tour will come up with a complete map of 32 stops broken out into commercial, storefront and residential locations. Addresses are there along with a map if you click “Map It.” Also in the app is the opportunity to vote for your favorite in each of the three categories. Remember that there is only one vote per email address; however, if different people in your party like different displays, each of you can have a vote. All votes must be in by midnight on Dec. 18.
The winners will be announced in The Pagosa Springs SUN on Dec. 22. The winners in the residential contest will win $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. The same denominations will be awarded to the winning businesses but in advertising credit with The Pagosa Springs SUN. Storefront displays will be awarded $500, $250 and $100 in advertising credit. Therefore, it is important that we get out and vote for our favorite displays and help these residents and businesses win. They have dedicated a lot of time and energy to brighten up our community. Let’s thank them for their efforts.
Another highly anticipated event is the Old-Fashioned Christmas to be held on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a magical walk from Town Park to Centennial Park along the Riverwalk. There will be numerous stops along the way sponsored by businesses or nonprofit organizations. Snacks, hot drinks, displays, music and giveaways will be located all along the route. Hot Springs Boulevard will be closed off from Hermosa to San Juan streets to allow pedestrians safe passage from Town Park to the Visitor Center, where there will be live music, registration for the drawing for a Red Ryder BB gun, cookies, hot drinks and much more. You can also enter the scavenger hunt to win a lovely Pagosa holiday ornament.
Continue back over the bridge and finish your walk down to Centennial Park with more beautifully created stops as you also look for Santa milling around the route. Dress warm, bring some lighting and bundle up the family or join your friends for an evening of beauty, family, friendship and lots of community spirit. While down in the Centennial Park area, enjoy a balloon glow in the evening. There is just so much to enjoy on this special night. After your walk, visit some of the stores downtown, which will be remaining open late or head out for a delicious dinner at one of our restaurants. You don’t want to miss this event, so put a large X on your calendar marking this day.
