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