-Editorial
The holiday season has officially returned to Calexico, igniting a wave of joy and community spirit during the annual tree lighting ceremony held at City Hall on November 14. The event, which took place at 608 Heber Avenue, drew an enthusiastic crowd of residents eager to celebrate the season and take part in the festivities.
“I’m satisfied that they are doing events like this one,” said Jazmin Mendoza, who came with her 8-year-old son, Fernando. “Calexico is a small city, and we need to enjoy these events so our children can meet more people. It exceeded my expectations.”
Likewise, Jose Carrillo attended the event to see his son play with the Enrique Camarena Marching Band.
“It’s a great gathering for the whole community to come together,” Carrillo said.
The ceremony organized by the city and the recreation delegations, featured a lineup of special performances that showcased the remarkable talent of local students and community groups. The Willie Moreno Jr. High Marching Band, Enrique Camarena Jr. High Marching Band, and the Calexico Mighty Bulldog Marching Band each took to the stage, delighting the audience with their spirited music. The event also spotlighted the Mariachi Centinela de Calexico High School and the Imperial Valley College Jazz Band, who filled the air with festive melodies that resonated throughout the evening.
Adding to the cultural richness of the event, the Calexico Recreation Ballet Class and the Folkloric Dance Group captivated onlookers with vibrant dances that celebrated the heritage and traditions of the community. The performances not only entertained but also fostered a sense of pride among residents, showcasing the talent and dedication of Calexico’s youth.
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for children to take pictures with Santa Claus, creating lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.
In addition to the entertainment, the event offered a variety of fun activities designed to engage and delight children thanks to the Camarena Memorial Library staff. From holiday crafts to games, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
“The event was wonderfully organized. There are many happy children with their parents, and this is exactly what Calexico needed,” said Ana Corona Vizcarra, a Calexico resident.
Calexico Mayor Camilo Garcia thanked everyone who attended and helped make the event a success. The three-lighting ceremony is the only holiday event this year, as the annual Calexico Christmas Parade was canceled due to a lack of funding.
“This year, we decided to take a different approach to the celebration. Unfortunately, we won’t have a Christmas parade, but we wanted the community to come out and enjoy the kickoff of the festivities,” Mayor Garcia said.
Garcia clarified that last year the city used funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to organize the parades, but those funds are no longer available, as they have been allocated to other projects, including parks.
“Our option was to reallocate some of the funds designated for parks, such as the $490,000 for Nosotros Park. When we asked the citizens if they wanted to use $30,000 for the Christmas parade, they chose the park instead, recognizing that it would be a much more impactful investment in the long run than a parade. A parade is wonderful, but we need to invest our resources wisely,” Garcia said.
Business Improvement District Chair Blanca Morales told Imperial Valley Insight they will be meeting early next year to plan the parade so it can take place in Dec. 2025.
