The 2014 Lighter Side of Christmas (LSOC) parade committee is back at work planning events and activities for the 26th anniversary of the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 6 at 6 pm in downtown Woodland Park. The parade theme this year recognizes the impact the Beatles had on America 50 years ago with “Here Comes the Sun Snow – Celebrating 50 Years of Beatlemania.”
The LSOC Committee was thrilled to present a check for $5000 to the Woodland Park Community Cupboard, the 2013 parade beneficiary. “The LSOC parade is one of the best holiday events in our area,” stated WPCC Director Janie Child. “To work with this dedicated committee was a great experience for me. The Cupboard appreciates all the time and effort put into this annual event by the committee. The community’s support is amazing.”
The parade theme this year celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Beatle’s album release in the United States and “The Fab Four’s” first live appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” This singular event changed America forever and provided a seismic sociological shift in our culture. With John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, the band became widely regarded as the greatest and most influential act of the rock era and according to the Recording Industry Association of America, the best-selling band in the United States.
Each year, the LSOC Committee chooses a recipient for the parade fundraising effort. “Keeping with the music theme of this year’s parade, The Ute Pass Symphony Guild is the recipient for 2014,” stated committee chair Tracie Bennitt. The primary mission of the volunteer Ute Pass Symphony Guild is to present the annual “Symphony Above the Clouds” featuring the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. This was the 34th year that family and friends enjoyed, at absolutely no cost, this premiere summer event. The Guild also purchases tickets to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic special performance for elementary students. Teller County and Lake George children in the 4th grade, their chaperones, and sponsors are able to enjoy a concert designed to promote the education and appreciation of orchestra music. Support of The Ute Pass Symphony Guild helps defray the cost of bringing the Philharmonic to Woodland Park and elementary school children. Their success is measured by the ever-growing number of attendees, as well as the strong support of the Teller County community, businesses, individuals, and the Woodland Park Government.
The “Fill the Van” campaign is going to take place again this year, with parade attendees being asked to bring nonperishable food items to fill the Community Cupboard van following the parade during tree lighting and awards ceremony at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. The Annual Crazy Hat Contest, sponsored by Williams Furniture is taking place the night of the parade. The committee is organizing the annual city wide “Holiday Treasure Hunt” that will kick off at the November 14 with the first clue. The individual that finds the LSOC Yellow Submarine, based on weekly clues provided at sponsor businesses, will win a gift basket full of goodies from local businesses, valued in the past at over $1000. The WP Library district is also hosting the annual Gingerbread Contest, sure to be a tasteful event.
Details are available on this web site, where you can explore sponsorship and participation opportunities for the 2014 Lighter Side of Christmas Activities and Parade. Please contact Sandy King at 687-8167 or Nancy Spradling at 687-1304 if you are interested in being a sponsor. Additional questions may be directed to tracie@dinosaurbrokers.com or 719-687-7375.
