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.

The committee and the City of Woodland Park would like to thank everyone involved in making the 25th anniversary Lighter Side of Christmas Celebration a success. The fireworks made “That’s All Folks” a truly memorable parade. Special thanks to Beneficiary Woodland Park Community Cupboard and Janie Child, Grand Marshal Cindy Morse, Judges Mike and Marilyn Dougall, Lenore Hotchkiss and Gayle Gross, Announcers Mike Perini, Dave Paul and Debbie Miller, Crazy Hat sponsor Williams Furniture and Vicki and Jerry Goode, Northeast Teller County Fire Department, Teller County Sheriff Posse and local Boy Scouts for manning the Bum Fires during the parade, Teller County Search and Rescue, WPPD, WP City and Public Works Dept., Pikes Peak Rotary and Dave Paul for sound systems, GD Printing, Kelly’s Office Supply, Kanet, Pol and Bridges and CDesign for printing and graphics, MNM Webworks, John and Kynta Bennitt and friends, Parade Photographer Rod Dion, Debbie Pinello, Craig Harms and the Woodland Park Wind Symphony, Summit Singers, Downtown DDA and Carol Lindholm, Our special business sponsors listed on this site and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The 2013 Lighter Side of Christmas Parade Committee is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s awards.

Parade Trophies
Grand Marshal Award – CSCS
Best Use of Theme – Peoples Bank
Best Use of Lights – Ute Pass Iron Goats
Most Unique – Teller Business Builders
Spirit Award – Vectra Bank/Farmers Kristyn Cline Agency/Anderson Pack n’ Ship/Anderson Construction

Crazy Hat Contest
(1st photo, L to R, Carl Martin, Elizabeth Summeril, Linda Olsen)
1st Place – Elizabeth Summeril
2nd Place – Linda Olsen
3rd Place – Carl Martin

Yule Log Hunt
Winners – Ken and Nancy Hartsfield (2nd photo, L to R, LSOC Committee members Jan Cummer, Doreen Ward, Gail Wingerd, Ken and Nancy Hartsfield, Committee Chair Tracie Bennitt)

Next year we’re going to celebrate 100 years of Tarzan! Keep tuned to this web site for details over the coming months.

Thanks so much to everyone.
Tracie Bennitt
LSOC Committee Chair

The 2013 Lighter Side of Christmas (LSOC) parade committee is back at work planning events and activities for the 25th anniversary of the Lighter Side of Christmas Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 7 at 6 pm in downtown Woodland Park. The parade theme this year honors 25 years of the LSOC Parade and the 90th Anniversary of Warner Brothers with “That’s All Folks,” opening the doors of imagination to bring Warner Brothers characters to the event.

The LSOC Committee is proud to celebrate 25 years of organizing the Parade in Woodland Park. “People from all walks of life have celebrated and participated in this fun holiday event each year. We have business owners, horse riders, school kids and folks from all over that either come to actively participate in the parade with an entry or enjoy all the festivities from the sidelines,” stated LSOC committee chair Tracie Bennitt. “My husband and I took over organizing the parade 13 years ago and have never looked back. It is by far one of the most fun events for area families every holiday season.”

The LSOC Anniversary coincides with another historic milestone – the 90th Anniversary of Warner Brothers. One of the most respected, diversified and successful motion picture studios in the world, Warner Bros. began when the eponymous brothers — Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack — incorporated on April 4, 1923. Four years later, the release of The Jazz Singer, the world’s first “talkie,” set a tone of innovation and influence that would forever become synonymous with the Warner Bros. brand. Ninety years old this year, Warner Bros. continues to entertain the world with films and those infamous cartoons for everyone to enjoy. “We anticipate a grand selection of float entries focused on Warner Bros. movies and TV characters,” Bennitt stated. “This could end up being one of the best parades ever!”

Each year, the LSOC Committee chooses a recipient for the parade fund raising effort. Proceeds this year will be donated to The Woodland Park Community Cupboard. The cupboard is an emergency food pantry that has been serving the Ute Pass Region since 1978. Their mission, “Sharing our Love by Caring for our Community” is embodied with friends in neighborly service – that’s what it is all about. The cupboard provides 5-7 day emergency food and daily needs supply to residents of the Ute Pass region in Teller County and Hwy 24 West in El Paso County and is open Mondays – Wednesdays – Fridays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Residents are welcome to call to arrange days and/or hours outside of the normal operating schedule to access services or make a donation. Community Cupboard promotes our community working together for great work…serving our neighbors! 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 van following the parade at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.

The committee is also offering a collectible LSOC pin celebrating the 25th year of the annual event. “Friends of the Parade can actively help with fundraising and expenses by purchasing the pins for $50,” Bennitt added. “This is a way anyone can join in and help.”

The committee is organizing a city wide “Yule Log Hunt” that will kick off at the November 15 Friday Art Walk at Vintage Vines with the first clue. The individual that finds the LSOC Yule Log will win a gift basket full of goodies from local businesses, valued in the past at over $1000.

Interested parties may visit www.lightersideofchristmas.com to explore sponsorship and participation opportunities for the 2013 Lighter Side of Christmas Activities and Parade. Please contact Janie Child, LSOC fundraising chairperson, of the WP Community Cupboard if you are interested in being a sponsor at 719-687-3663. Additional questions can be sent to tracie@dinosaurbrokers.com