Small-town miracle

OTHELLO — Othello showed its small-town holiday spirit Saturday at the town’s annual Miracle on Main Street. 

“When I first had the dream to start this event, I just said, ‘Imagine Othello like a Hallmark movie,’” said Tania Morelos, head of the event committee and originator of the festival. “That was the goal and it looks like (people) are feeling it.” 

The theme this year was “Christmas in the Country” and Main Street rang with the sound of Christmas carols and songs from country artists. The fun started at 10 a.m. with a 5K run and a holiday bazaar at Wahitis Elementary School, then moved downtown to the lawn in front of City Hall. There were face painting, a petting zoo, live performances and children’s competitions, all culminating in a parade, tree lighting and fireworks. Everything was free except the food vendors, Morelos said. 

The parade started at East 14th Avenue and worked its way west down Main Street to East Third Street. A phalanx of emergency vehicles led the way, sirens blaring and lights flashing, followed by vehicles of every kind. The Othello High School cheerleaders led cheers from a flatbed trailer, a group of dancers in Aztec-themed Three Kings garb did a traditional dance behind the Sacred Heart Catholic Church float and the Grinch himself rode atop the city of Othello’s float. The OHS Drill Team received a $250 prize for the best float in the smaller category, and Montemayor Transport won the first prize of $500.  

This is the seventh year of the festival, Morelos said, and it all started when she was daydreaming at her job at City Hall. She told the story to the crowd at the beginning of the tree-lighting ceremony. 

“I was standing in the office with (then-) Mayor Shawn Logan, looking out the window at this very exact spot,” Morelos said. “He shared all these wild ideas, dreams, visions he had for Othello … I was like, well, I'm just going to add to his crazy dreams. So I shared my own cheesy idea. I said, ‘You know what would be even cooler? Bringing Hallmark-level Christmas magic to Othello. I told him everything I imagined. When I finished, he turned to me, smiled and said, ‘Do it.’ I laughed and said, ‘Yeah, right. That would literally be a miracle on Main Street.’” 

Before the tree was lit, Rob Ditona played and sang a solo rendition of “O Holy Night,” and Pastor Danny Cantu of Restore City Church in Moses Lake, an Othello native, led a prayer in which he gave thanks and asked God’s blessing on the city of Othello and its people. 

Morelos said it was important to her to keep the religious aspect of Christmas at the forefront. 

“We chose to do this as a small, independent group, so we could freely focus this event on the true reason for the season, Jesus Christ,” she said. “Every decision we make, every activity, every blessing we try to provide for families, it all comes from wanting to share his kindness and love with our community. So today I'm grateful that after seven years, we're still here together as a tight-knit community, celebrating Jesus and celebrating each other. It's an honor to serve you and be part of this day.” 

    Four-year-old Camila Esparza waves to the parade participants at Miracle on Main Street in Othello Saturday.
  

    Othello High School students ride in the Miracle on Main Street parade Saturday.
  

    Tania Morelos, left, tells how the Miracle on Main Street originated before the tree lighting Saturday.