For Immediate Release
December 10, 2014
The City of Woodland Park and the LSOC Parade Committee would like to send out a big “Thanks” to everyone for their help making the 26th annual Lighter Side of Christmas Parade “Here Comes the Sun Snow – Celebrating 50 Years of Beatlemania” a huge success December 6. The City of Woodland Park was well represented with both participants and viewers present for the parade, fireworks and annual tree lighting ceremony. The attendance this year, I believe, greatly surpassed past parades. Great small town activity once again benefiting the Ute Pass Symphony Guild!
Winners of this year’s trophies were:
Spirit Award – IBEX Realty Group
Most Unique – Cub Scout Pack 20
Best Use of Lights – Girl Scout Cadet Troop 3649
Best Use of Theme – Mueller State Park
Grand Marshal – Pikes Peak Regional Hospital
Thanks Jerry and Vicki Good for their continued support of the “Crazy Hat Contest” honoring Mike Williams. This year’s winner was Aidan Bates, who received a $200 gift certificate from Wms. Log Cabin Furniture and tickets to Gold Hill Theater.
Special thanks to Northeast Teller County Fire Department, Sherriff’s Posse and TCSR for the bum fires and Santa’s “sleigh” in the parade. Woodland Park Police Department, thanks for taking on the parade detour and missing all the fun downtown. You did get to see the fireworks! Couldn’t do it without you guys and gals!!! Woodland Park City and Public Works departments, thanks for the road barriers, electricity and support of our volunteers. Also to the Rampart Range Library for their hosting of the LSOC Gingerbread House contest. A special thank you to all of our sponsors this year (see www.lightersideofchristmas.com for a complete list). The Yellow Submarine Treasure Hunt was found by Harrison Blouch from Colorado Springs.
Also thanks go out to Grand Marshal Jane Mannon, announcers Debbie Miller, Dave Paul and Mike Perini, judges Mike Dougall, Lenore Hotchkiss and Rita Randolph, Pikes Peak Rotary and Dave Paul for the use of their sound systems, Sandy King and Nancy Spradling for their participation on the LSOC committee representing the Ute Pass Symphony Guild, Teller County Sheriff’s Office, Matt Upton for website support, Ken and Nancy Hartsfield, Waste Management and KWPB team for trash pickup, John Bennitt, Kynta Bennitt and friends, LSOC Official Parade Photographer Rod Dion, Deb Pinello and staff at the annual tree lighting ceremony, Craig Harms and the Woodland Park Wind Symphony, Summit Singers and committee members Gail Wingerd, Jan Cummer, David Mals, Val Robertson and our Christmas Parade Wife Doreen Ward.
We are looking for new members to help with the planning of next year’s parade, the 27th celebration of the Lighter Side of Christmas. If interested, drop us a line at tracie@dinosaurbrokers.com or David Buttery dbuttery@city-woodlandpark.org at the City of Woodland Park.
Tracie Bennitt
LSOC Committee Chair
