Shown above is a previous year winning home of San Benito’s Pride Lights contest. (Photo by TJ Tijerina)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Special to the NEWS
For the first time in almost two decades, San Benitians will not have the option of competing in what was once the annual Pride Lights Festival, the opportunity for home owners and business owners to vie to decorate in the most elaborate or beautiful fashion, with the most fabulous lights, in order to win the coveted first place award.
In years past, volunteers with the Pride Committee sent forth an open call to all San Benitians who wanted to decorate private dwellings or places of business for a chance at winning first, second or third place and a plaque, complete with bragging rights and their photograph in the newspaper, showcasing their holiday and community “Pride.”
This year marks the first year the contest will not occur.
Reportedly, without the financial support of the Chamber which dissolved nearly two years ago, funding for Pride became an issue. The Rotary Club along with at least one member of the community reportedly paid for last year’s signs and plaques. However, a community and Pride volunteer who wishes to remain nameless, said that in between busy schedules and financial issues, former Pride advocates have been unavailable to continue the tradition.
For decades, Pride was a monthly endeavor, awarding local home and business owners for displaying excellence in San Benito Pride. Even though the monthly award ceased existence well before December 2013, the Christmas light contest remained.
As of today, there is no word regarding whether or not another organization or a fresh group of volunteers will decide to spearhead this time-honored tradition once again.
1 comments
From the looks of the flurry of comments here, the community response is ‘so what’! The Chamber under Betancourt is not going anywhere either; much like his ‘Save the Dolly’ campaign! Remember that one?