Round Rio Rancho

Three years ago, neighbors Shawn Novick and Craig Arroyo decided to run strings of Christmas lights from roof peak to roof peak across Reynosa Loop (in the Cabezon Subdivision of Rio Rancho, NM) as a novel decoration. Neighbors joined them, not only stepping up their house decorations but adding more strings of lights over the street. Their decorating has gotten some press, and now residents on neighboring streets have started doing it too. We have not seen this anywhere else in town, and we want to celebrate those in our community that go a little above and beyond in their efforts to make this a better or more interesting place to live.

Right after the Rio Rancho Christmas Parade the Parks and Recreation Department sponsored a Luminaria Tour at Haynes Park. Over 12,000 real luminarias (a candle burning inside a paper bag with sand at the bottom) formed pathways throughout the darkened park, leading from one park shelter or band stand to the other. Snacks, drinks and music were everywhere, as were lighted holiday characters of all kinds. Santa and Mrs. Claus paid a short visit to the event, and chatted with a number of small children. At 7:00 pm, there was a wonderful fireworks display. I’ve visited Haynes park several times in past years for this event, and never get tired of the sight of the thousands of glowing luminarias lining the pathways and the curving hills of the park. Kudos to the city staff for continuing this great tradition.