By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
The dramatic pink clouded sunset on Thursday evening, Dec. 2, set the stage for Mesquite’s annual Parade of Lights that brings Christmas charity and cheer to the community each year.
The parade is an all-community effort. Nearly everyone is involved in some way from youngsters to grandparents – whether watching as a spectator, building a float, riding down Mesquite Blvd. waving to the crowds or helping to organize this special event, everyone gets a benefit from it.
Each year more people come to see the light parade and donate food that will be divided between the Virgin Valley Food Bank and the Salvation Army’s Food pantry.
The theme of this year’s parade was “Christmas Around the World”.
The honor of Parade Grand Marshal went to Steve Reynolds, a local veteran and the Commander of the Mesquite Veterans Center.
“It feels pretty good to be Grand Marshal,” said Reynolds. “I was honored to be asked.”
The Veterans Center gave a $500 donation to help with the food drive that is at the heart of this annual parade.
The Parade began at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints parking lot on Arrowhead Street at 5:30 pm. Then it proceeded down Mesquite Boulevard to City Hall in a well organized fashion.
Holiday-dressed walkers were throwing candy out to the kids. The lights on the floats illuminated the main street and brought out the sparkle in the children’s eyes. The Exchange Club of Mesquite was giving out hot chocolate and cookies at the end of the parade route near City Hall.
People were amazed at the Lindi Corp. entry which was six trailers long. The skilled driver of that train of trailers was able to keep everything under control while making a circle of the long procession.
Debbie and Mike Benham, first brought the idea of a food drive holiday parade to the city in 2015. The Parade has grown each year since then and so have the related food donations. This year there were thirty-one entries in the parade from local businesses, clubs, organizations and individuals.
Debbie Benham said that the food drive was a success. ““We have exceeded our goal of 12,000 pounds of food this year,” she said. “I am so happy about that. This is the reason we do this to help feed the community that needs it and create holiday fun too.”
There was plenty of holiday cheer at the parade to go around. At the very beginning, the staging area was alive with workers putting together the floats and adding final touches. All were having fun. Every now and then a group would break out in song with various Christmas carols.
Spectators along the route were having a great time. “This parade is awesome!” said spectator Jo Romasko who was watching from the side of the street. “It is fun for everyone, it is such a nice thing to do to bring the community together during the holidays.”
People who rode on parade entries gave different reasons for their participation in the parade.
Christina Young from the Valley Presbyterian Church said, “It is a great way to celebrate Christmas, to have people meet our church and to donate food for the needy. The Church donates food all year long.”
Representing the Mesquite Senior Games Float, Shaun Edwards said, “We want to help stamp out hunger and this is a fun way to do that.”
Barbara Cagianese entered the parade as an individual entry with her three-wheeled motorized bike all decorated with lights. “It is a fun way to help the community and celebrate Christmas,” she said. “Why not participate?”
Beaver Dam Jr & Senior High School Interact Club decorated and manned the Mesquite Rotary Club Float. “We are doing this because it is fun and we liked the theme this year,” said Interact member Zittlalys Gonzalez.
In keeping with the Parade of Lights tradition, the last entry was the antique firetruck, owned by Mesquite Fire and Rescue, all decked out in lights. It carried Mr and Mrs Santa Claus which delighted the children in attendance. Also riding with Santa was Mayor Al Litman, and City Councilwoman Karen Dutkowski.
The CERT volunteers helped by organizing the Parade entries and getting the floats in line and keeping order in the staging area.
“We are all about being community-oriented and this parade does that,” said Nicholas Montoya,
Director of the Mesquite Department of Athletics and Leisure Services who helped with the planning of the parade. “Tonight’s community event is awesome!”
