December in Taos & The Festival of Trees

Luminaria (small bonfire) at Lighting of Ledoux

December in Taos is magical and celebrating the holidays here is a "must do" experience. There are both annual traditions and new experiences every year. I am particularly fond of the Lighting Ledoux St event which this year is being held on Saturday night, December 7th. This historic street is lit by farolitos (paper bags filled with sand and holding a lit candle) and all the shops, galleries and museums are open. Luminarias (small bonfires) are in most of the courtyards and merchants hand out marshmallows for toasting. Read more about Lighting Ledoux by clicking here.

Farolitos line the street

Friday night, December 6th, is the annual Tree Lighting in the Plaza. You can read my post from the 2012 lighting by clicking here.  This year's schedule of events is as follows:

• 4:00 PM Welcome by Mayor Darren Cordova
• 4:00 PM - 4:20 PM Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts Light Fibrolites,
• 4:02 PM - 4:07 PM Taos Cheer,
• 4:07 PM - 4:17 PM Taos Middle School and Taos High School Chorus,
• 4:17 PM - 4:27 PM Taos Middle School and High School Band,
• 4:27 PM - 4:32 PM Sister Missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
• 4:32 PM - 4:45 PM Mariachi Jaguar Enchanted,
• 4:45 PM Yuletide Parade,
• 4:55 PM Fiestas de Taos Royal Court introduction and Holiday Greetings,
• 4:55 PM Santa Claus will be handing out 200 toys donated by and with the help of the Taos Optimist Club Elves,
• 4:57 PM - 5:07 PM Christmas Caroling led by Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts,
• 5:07 PM - 5:17 PM Taos Middle School Drill Team,
• 5:17 PM - 5:32 PM Taos Youth Music Group,
• 5:32 PM - 5:42 PM Mystic Dance,
• 5:42 PM - 5:57 PM Trio Alarcon,
• 5:57 PM Mayor Darren Cordova Holiday Greetings and Countdown to Tree Lighting.

Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will be served. The Taos Plaza and businesses will be open to foot traffic, please remember that during this fun filled event vehicles will not be permitted in the plaza. Special parking arrangements will be provided for people requiring ADA access to the event.

(from Taosgov.com)

I plan to attend the tree lighting ceremony and then held over to the El Monte Sagrado Resort for the Festival of Trees. This annual event benefits many local charities in Taos. Sponsors decorate trees and wreaths and designate to which charity they would like the proceeds donated. Guests then bid on the entries via silent auction. So many worthy charities are represented and I am happy to report that Habitat for Humanity has 2 trees this year (full disclosure, I am a HFHT Board Member). Museums, animal welfare, victims of violence, ending hunger & homelessness, among others, are some of the non-profits included . In addition to the silent auction there is music, food, drinks and lots of holiday cheer. I look forward to posting a recap of the event next week.

Event info:
Festival of Trees and Wreaths – Community Party Friday, December 6, 5:30-10:00pm
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort Conference Center, 317 Kit Carson Rd. 
The event centers around a silent auction of beautifully decorated wreaths and trees. The proceeds benefit many of the Taos communities non profits. Music and dancing this year with The Damn Band, food, drinks, and a raffle. $20 entry fee, includes drink ticket, appetizers and live music. (from taos.org

Lots going on and this is just the first week of December...whew!

My best and Happy Holiday from Taos!
diane
December 4th, 2013

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World's Best Ski Towns?

courtesy National Geographic , Photograph by Bud Force, Aurora

National Geographic just created their "Top 25 List of Best Ski Towns in the World".  Of course Taos made the list!

"Best For: Art-loving skiers and boarders with a taste for steep runs and green chilies

In the world of classic ski towns, Taos is a unique gem. Originally an ancient, high-desert pueblo at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, the city was populated in the early 20th century by artists and writers who were attracted to the Native American and Hispanic culture, stunning natural surroundings, and the region’s 300 annual days of crystalline sunshine. In 1955, a German immigrant named Ernie Blake founded Taos Ski Valley 18 miles outside of town in a narrow valley engulfed by precipitous peaks. Today, the Swiss-style chalets at the area’s base exude an old-time European character while the town itself feels like a funky Southwestern artist’s colony."  cont.

In my opinion we are #1.  Read the full story here

My best,
diane
Dec 4th, 2013

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Please visit my other blogs
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We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.