The 2017 Little Miss Merry Christmas candidates have been announced by the Ambassadors of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce. This year's field includes ten girls from ages 5-10 vying for the title.
As a part of Portales’ holiday tradition, the Little Miss Merry Christmas Contest raises funds for the white Christmas lights that are on display throughout town and on the Courthouse. The contest runs until Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. An official pre-parade Coronation Ceremony will take place at the historic Yam Theatre, 219 S. Main Street, on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. The Christmas Jubilee and Lighted Christmas Parade will be Friday, Dec. 1 with downtown activities beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Portales Rec Center at 18th and Ave. I. The parade then travels to Avenue D then to Second Street and around the courthouse before disbanding at C&S, Inc. on First Street.
The contestant that raises the most money through donations collected by her sponsor and through additional fundraising efforts will be crowned Little Miss Merry Christmas with all runners-up receiving the title of Princess..
Celebrating its 31st year the Portales Christmas Jubilee is a holiday family tradition. This year’s activities include the Christmas Jubilee Lighted Parade as well as music and other activities on the square. Santa Claus will ride in the parade. There is no entry fee for the parade but registration is required.
Entry forms and detailed information for the Lighted Christmas Parade can be picked up at the Chamber 100 S. Ave. A, or call 356-8541 and the forms can be emailed or faxed. They can also be downloaded from the community calendar at portales.com.
Contestant Bios
Zanida Duran is 6 years old and is the daughter of Bianca Duran. Zanida attends Brown Elementary and is in kindergarten, has a pet named Athena and likes to sing in her spare time. Her favorite things about Christmas are the presents and the tree. She is being sponsored by Hampton Farms.
Hunter Wade is 5 years old and is the daughter of Cody and Shauna Wade. Hunter is in kindergarten and attends Dora Elementary, she also has three siblings: Morgan 18, Hanna 11, and Maci, 3. What Hunter loves most about Christmas is seeing her family and Santa. She is sponsored by Creighton's Town and Country.
Patricia Villegas is 9 years old and is the daughter of Miguel and Juana Villegas. Patricia attends Floyd Elementary and is in the third grade. She has three siblings: Cruz 15, Samyra 14, and Izela, 6. In her spare time, Patricia likes to play on her PS3, play with her cats and dogs and to sing. Her favorite things about Christmas are being with family, presents and food. Patricia is sponsored by Ace Hardware.
Izela Villegas is 6 years old and is the daughter of Juana and Miguel Villegas. Izela is in the first grade and attends Floyd Elementary, and has three siblings: Cruz 15, Samyra 14, and Patricia, 9. In her spare time, she likes to play with dolls, sing, dance, play with her pets and her PS3. Izela's favorite things about Christmas are the presents and food. She is sponsored by Yucca Telecom.
Adison (A.J) Vigil is 6 years old and is the daughter of Zach and Sandy Vigil. She attends Elida Elementary and is in the first grade, and has one sibling-Rustin who is 1. At her home in Elida, she has two dogs, three horses, one pig, and one mule. In her spare time, she likes to play, ride horses and set fire to the stove. Her favorite parts about Christmas are the presents, sparkling lights and the tree. She is being sponsored by Do Drop In.
Keilee Rowland is 10 years old and is the daughter of Stacey and Clay Rowland. She is in the fifth grade and attends Lindsay Steiner Elementary, and has two siblings-Kenzee, 12 and Cole, 13. In Keilee's spare time she likes to play volleyball, softball, basketball and cheer. Her favorite things about Christmas are the birth of Jesus and spending time with her family. Keilee is being sponsored by C&S Inc.
Audree Gonzales is 6 years old and is the daughter of Destini Lucero and Brian Gonzales. She attends Brown Elementary and is in kindergarten, and has one sibling Emma who is three. In her spare time, she likes to play softball, sing karaoke and ride her bike. Audree's favorite things about Christmas are spending time with her family and the presents. She is sponsored by J.P Stone Community Bank.
Shanley Thompson is 6 years old and is the daughter of Ty and Danna Thompson. She attends Brown Elementary school and is in kindergarten, and she has one sibling, Slade who is 9. In her spare time Shanley loves to sing, dance and cheer. Her favorite thing about Christmas is going to Ruidoso and making snow angels. She is being sponsored by The Studio.
Nyema Carbajal is 7 years old and is the daughter of Armando and Crystal Carbajal. She attends RM James and is in the 2nd grade, and has three siblings: Nevaeh 12, Nya 8, and Armando 6. In her spare time, she likes to play soccer and dance. Nyema's favorite things about Christmas are, Christmas music, snow and family time. She is sponsored by Hestand’s Floral.
Nya Carbajal is 8 years old and is the daughter of Armando and Crystal Carbajal. She attends Valencia Elementary and is in the third grade, and has three siblings: Nevaeh 12, Nyema 7, and Armando 6. In her spare time, she likes to cheer, compete in gymnastics and read. Her favorite things about Christmas are that it is Jesus' birthday, presents and seeing her family. She is being sponsored by Robert and Carol Calderon.
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