Winterfest parade registration is open

Registration is now open for this year’s Winterfest parade.

“Rio Rancho’s Winterfest celebrates the holiday season with multiple fun activities for all. On Friday, December 1, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at City Center Campus Park, there will be live music, food trucks, free hot chocolate, photos with Santa, a parade, a tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks,” a release from the city of Rio Rancho states.

Event schedule

• 4-5 p.m.: Parade lineup

• 5:30-6 p.m.: Parade float judging

• 5-8:30 p.m.: Music in the Campus Park Sky Room; food trucks and free hot chocolate; photos with Santa at Campus Park

• 6 p.m.: Parade through the City Center area

• 7:30 p.m.: Tree-Lighting Ceremony followed by fireworks

The schedule is subject to change.

Parade registration

The city encourages participants to decorate floats that are well lit with holiday lights; use of LED low-energy lights is recommended. Parade registration can be made online at rrnm.gov/activenet. It is free to take part in the parade with a registration deadline of Nov. 24.

The parade route begins and ends in the upper northwest parking lot of the Rio Rancho Events Center.