What does Christmas look like in the city this year?

Cayen Foye, Reporter

The City of Grand Junction usually hosts it’s ever popular Parade of Lights; which is unfortunately cancelled this year as well as the Traditional Tree Lighting. In it’s place, The Bank of Colorado is hosting a 12 Days of Christmas event from 4pm-7pm on the 1st-12th of December. The City’s website regarding the event urges people to come and, “Celebrate the season with socially-distanced festivities, shopping, pop-up entertainment, and more!” Along with shopping you should also keep an eye out for Mrs. Claus or Santa as they are roaming around Main Street or Colorado Avenue each day. Not just that either, but a number of goodies have been hidden around downtown including gift cards and gift baskets filled with downtown merchandise.  The clues to find these are given on Grand Junction’s social media pages. Event coordinator  Rykel Menor also elaborates on yet another giveaway, “If you happen to spend $50 at a downtown business during the 12 Days of Christmas, you can go to downtowngj.org to enter some information from your receipt and be placed in a drawing for a staycation package,” This package includes A one-night stay at SpringHill Suites, dinner at Il Bistro Italiano, a spa treatment, a shopping spree, a wine tasting and more. Even more locally in Fruita they are also doing a gift scavenger hunt, “The Small Business Scavenger Hunt will run from November 23 to December 24. Clue #1 can be found in Circle Park near Greta the Dinosaur… Please complete this activity at your own pace and remember to practice social distancing and wear a mask when entering indoor facilities.”- Fruita Chamber of Commerce. The whole event is designed to help out small businesses, in Fruita and Grand Junction who are struggling to stay afloat amidst covid. For this Christmas season we should still try to spread the cheer, but maybe from a distance.