El Paso’s Celebration of Lights rings in the holiday season

Thousands streamed to downtown El Paso Saturday to take part in the 80th annual evolve Federal Credit Union Celebration of Lights and Holiday Lights parade.

The city’s holiday display is at Cleveland Square, across the street from Southwest University Park.

The event was marked by performances by the 1st Armored Division Band from Fort Bliss, St. Anthony’s Seminary Franciscanos Choir and of course, the Holiday Lighting Ceremony and fireworks display.

“It’s beautiful, it’s a perfect time to bring the whole family together,” El Pasoan Octavio Contreras said.

El Pasoans enjoyed the sights of Christmas with holiday displays. The Holiday Lights Parade had nearly 60 floats.Although the festivities are normally held at San Jacinto Plaza, spectators didn’t let the delay ruin their fun.

“Overall, it was pretty good. I wish it would have been here, but again, to see everything together, but it was very nice, we loved it,” Clarissa and Jesse Porras said.

This year was also a chance for the city to highlight what downtown has to offer, including the newly unveiled “Digie” wall and a holiday market.

“I love how it’s expanded. Much more than other years, a lot of food, a lot to drink a lot of everything, it’s great,” Sivi Contreras said.

For some, celebration of lights is a must.

“It’s actually a tradition, we’re here every single year,” Octavio Contreras said.

For others–it marks the beginning of a new tradition.

“It was my first time here, and it’s been a good experience so far,” Bianca Maganon said.

“It was really awesome, especially the fireworks, they were really cool,” Frida Maganon said.

A night so memorable one man even proposed to his longtime girlfriend.

“It’s a perfect spot, I mean all the lights. All the attention is on her,” Louie Aguilera said.

There’s no doubt the Christmas spirit was in the air.

“I just love that it’s so much more than lighting the tree, it’s a whole community coming together, the whole city and all of El Paso is coming together and it doesn’t matter if you know the person or not you’re dancing with them and singing with them and you’re just excited the tree is being lit,” Martha Meyers said.

“This is the third year with the event at Cleveland Square Park and although traditionally held at San Jacinto Plaza, over the course of history the municipal celebration of the holidays has been held in the downtown area in various locations since 1915 marking this as the 100 year celebration,” Tracy Novak, director of the City of El Paso’s Parks and Recreation Department said in a statement.