By Michele Robertson For several years now, the Halogen Arts Park and downtown Carlsbad have been the epicenter for the weekend after Thanksgiving activities. The trend continues this year with United Way’s Santa Fun Run, Creative Carlsbad’s Night of Lights, and Carlsbad MainStreet and Keep Carlsbad Beautiful Electric Light Parade all happening on Saturday November 27th. Each year the Electric Light Parade is themed, and this years’ theme is ‘Christmas Vacation’. Parade line-up for decorated trailers, tractors, trucks, and more begins at 5:30 pm on Mermod and Alameda Streets. The parade will begin promptly at 7:00 pm. You may register your personal or business parade entry at the time of line-up or you can email carlsbadmainstreet@gmail.comPrizes will be awarded to the winners in the following categories: most "Griswold Christmas" Vacation -1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, best "Carlsbad Christmas" Vacation -1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and Best in Show. “At this time, we have 28 entries for the Electric Light Parade, and there are many more forms which have been sent out. We look forward to a fantastic display of creativity during this year's event,” said Ashly Key, Executive Director for the Carlsbad MainStreet Project Inc. “Next year's theme has not been decided on. An announcement will be made in summer 2022, but I have heard a rumor, the Grinch may be there,” Key shared. Each year the parade is sponsored in part by Keep Carlsbad Beautiful, making the parade a litter free event and organizers ask that you not throw candy from your float. Leading up to the Electric Light Parade is Creative Carlsbad’s Night of Lights. This is the organization's signature event. Following the parade theme, participants can expect an afternoon of fun while they await the grand illumination of the park and the starting of the light parade. There will be musical performances, including world renown classical guitarist Michael Lucarelli, selfies with Santa, food vendors, street dancing, ornament making, a coat drive, and more. Festivities begin at 4:00 pm. United Way’s annual fun run is an ugly sweater themed run this year. The fun run starts at 3:00 pm. Cost to register is $25 and should be completed by November 22nd by visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/NM/Carlsbad/UglySweaterFunRun“The Pearl of the Pecos Arts & Cultural District has been involved with the planning of Night of Lights and the Electric Light Parade. Carlsbad MainStreet, Creative Carlsbad, Keep Carlsbad Beautiful and United Way have all collectively worked together to bring a great day of events for Thanksgiving weekend starting with supporting our local businesses for Small Business Saturday
and finishing up with the lighting of the Halagueno Arts Park and Electric Light Parade,” shared Kat Davis, Executive Director for the Pearl of the Pecos Arts & Cultural District. “Small Business Saturday is a national event to encourage our communities to shop locally during the holiday season. Carlsbad MainStreet would like to encourage our community to #Jointhechallenge and purchase as many holiday gifts as possible at our local businesses. There are so many amazing retail shops, beauty salons, and local restaurants in Downtown Carlsbad to cover all of your Christmas gift needs,” Key shared. A new gift has been added to the light display by the big tree and some strings and lights have been replaced throughout displays. Each year a little more is added to the downtown light displays, “we look forward to building on our display next year,” Key added. Additional activities the weekend after Thanksgiving include the start of Christmas on the Pecos and Calico Christmas. For more details on any of the events happening the weekend after Thanksgiving or for other events happening around the area visithttps://www.carlsbadmainstreet.com/events