written by
November 28, 2023
Juno Ogle
daily press staff
On Friday, the calendar turns to December, and there are several seasonal events scheduled for this weekend.
Friday night, Jingle and Mingle come to Western New Mexico University’s Regents Square. The family-friendly festival, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m., is free and open to the public.
“We’ll have seasonal treats, snacks, cocoa and cookies. We’ll have a musical lineup. We’ll have tamales,” said WNMU Cultural Director Alex Tager.
The musical lineup will include children from Guadalupe Montessori School, a performance of “The Nutcracker Suite,” Mariachi Plata de WNMU and more, she said.
University President Joseph Shepherd will read “It Was the Night Before Christmas,” and there will be a variety of activities for children. Perhaps most importantly, Santa Claus and his elves are there.
A tacky Christmas sweater contest is also planned.
“We’re going to have prizes, so if you wear a tacky sweater you can win a prize,” Tager said.
Santa Clara’s annual Holiday Parade of Lights will be held Saturday. Float registration is recommended but not required, according to information from Santa Clara City Hall. Participants can register by calling City Hall at 575-537-2443.
Parade line-up begins at 5 p.m. at Fort Bayard, and the event itself begins at dark. Due to construction on Bellum Street around 6 p.m., this year’s route will be slightly altered, with illuminated entries heading down Fort Bayard Street toward Santa Clara. Entries will be judged in three categories: personal, commercial, and non-profit.
After the parade, visitors can eat candy and take photos with Santa behind City Hall.
Baile Encanto, a folklorico dance studio in Silver City, will hold a Christmas extravaganza at the WNMU Fine Arts Center on Sunday from 4 p.m.
Tickets are $5 per person or $10 per family and can be purchased at the Pink Store, 210 N. Bullard St., or at the door. This performance is in partnership with the Grant County Community Concert Association.
Students from ages 5 to adults will perform a variety of traditional Mexican folk dances. Kiana Huerta and Christy Gonzalez will appear as special guests.
Also this weekend, the Silver Chorale will be holding two winter concerts. Friday, performances begin at 7 p.m. at Terrazas Funeral Chapel in Santa Clara. Sunday’s performance will be held at 3 p.m. at Silver City Church of Christ, 1920 Little Walnut Road. Admission is free.
The annual Silver City Holiday Artisan Market is held at the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, 3031 US 180 E. More than 30 local artists will have their work on display and for sale Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Juno Ogle can be reached at juno@scdailypress.com.