Corrales starts holidays with tree lighting

CORRALES — The holidays have officially begun.

At least, Corrales said so with its annual tree lighting Nov. 29 at the village complex.

The event, hosted by the Corrales MainStreet, also marked the end of Small Business Saturday, which occurs annually on the weekend following Thanksgiving.

“When you shop local, you’re helping support our village’s small businesses, local jobs and the services that keep Corrales safe and thriving. Every dollar spent here stays here — strengthening the community we all love,” the MainStreet posted on social media.

Sandy Rasmussen, a MainStreet board member, explained that the lighting is also a backdrop for a prize drawing they do every year.

People needed to prove they made a purchase from a local business with a receipt to enter into the drawing. This year’s prizes included items from Sage Valley Pottery, Art Scape Gallery, the Village Mercantile and more.

“Thank you for shopping because our merchants so badly need your business,” Rasmussen said.

The small celebration did gather quite the crowd this year with a couple dozen in attendance. However, Rasmussen said they plan to “ramp up” the event next year as the event’s popularity grows.

As Tanya Lattin, deputy fire chief, lit the tree, the group listened to Christmas music.