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Downtown decks the halls for the Fourth of July

Durango Land Use Code sets a strict schedule for temporary signs on business celebrating religious or national holidays, and the poinsettia on the entrance to the Irish Embassy pub at Main Avenue and Ninth Street has definitely eclipsed it’s expiration date.

Check out the Ninth Street entrance to the offices above the Irish Embassy. The window features a painted poinsettia from Christmas. Does the downtown Business Improvement District have rules for procrastination? Being a procrastinator myself, I set a limit of Snowdown to remove the lights from my front porch. Could downtown sponsor “Christmas in July”? Sign me, Scrooge

‘Twas a fortnight in front of the Fourth of July

A yuletide window did someone espy.

While Action Line’s laughter was louder than thunder,

We need confirmation of dec’rative blunder.

So off to the corner of Ninth Street and Main

The hunt started there for the dubious pane.

When what to our wondering eyes should appear?

A poinsettia painting so bright and so clear!

Harkening back to a Christmas of yore,

The red, green and white made for festive decor.

Its presence a present we all can applaud

A summertime message: “Feliz Navidad.”

•••

Sorry. Action Line just couldn’t resist.

And it’s a good time to leash the doggerel, because ain’t nuthin’ poetic about “Durango Land Use Code, Section 3-6-3-2 Standards by Temporary Sign Type.”

That’s where you find rules governing “decorations.”

“Decorations that are incidental, customary, and commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday shall not be displayed for a period of more than 30 consecutive days or more than 30 days in any one calendar year,” the code reads.

So we’re a little behind schedule. Or a bit early. Either way, it might be the spark that ignites a Christmas in July celebration.

Naturally, we called our good friend Tim Walsworth, executive director of the Business Improvement District, for some holiday cheer.

“Hi Tim. It’s Action Line. Ho, ho, ho. Say, if someone has a special Christmas wish for downtown, is this a Santa thing where people have to sit on your lap and pay five bucks for a picture, like they do at shopping malls?”

“Absolutely,” Tim said with a laugh. “I have a list, and I’m checking it twice. Then I hitch the reindeer to the magic sleigh and fly to the North Pole, where BID has its workshop and lots of elves.”

But seriously. Tim welcomes all suggestions and supports pretty much anything that helps downtown.

Just look at the Business Improvement District official calendar of events. It already has 240 happenings next month.

Tim pointed out that it’s Christmas year-round in the historic district.

That’s because our enlightened city finally had the good sense to keep the white holiday lights in the trees downtown and turn them on at night.

If it’s already Christmas in July, why not have “Snowdown in July,” starting with a Big Parade?

A parade is set for July 4th. But Tim needs your help with the “Big” part.

There are but 20 entrants so far, and the goal is 50. The more the merrier. Visit the BID website to see what’s happening and download your parade application.

It’s free to enter, and the only guidelines are patriotism, fun and family-appropriate with “no controversial theme or message, no over-commercialization and no excessive noises.”

So technically you could wear a Santa suit and fake white beard.

It might be a bit hot wearing that fuzzy red suit on a July evening. But as long as you’re waving a flag, you just might pass for Uncle Sam.

Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you realize there are only 187 shopping days left before Christmas.



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