From Flight Line to MainStreet: Holloman’s Hands Build Alamogordo’s Holiday Spirit

Alamogordo, NM — Alamogordo is stepping into the holiday season with a renewed sense of pride, thanks to the enduring partnership between Holloman Air Force Base and the community. From the transformation of downtown New York Avenue to the upcoming Christmas Parade, the story of this season is one of service, celebration, and unity.

For decades, Holloman has been more than a military installation. It has been a neighbor, a partner, and a driving force in Alamogordo’s civic life. This year alone, airmen contributed more than 2,500 volunteer hours to local projects. Their work ranged from painting façades along New York Avenue to restoring community gardens and helping refurbish the F‑4 fighter jet soon to be celebrated at the Gateway Freedom Monument. Each effort underscored Holloman’s commitment to strengthening the city it calls home.

MainStreet Makeover Grand Opening  Saturday, November 29, 2025

That commitment will be on full display Saturday, November 29, when Alamogordo MainStreet hosts the grand opening of its multi-million dollar partnered makeover of the 800 and 900 blocks of New York Avenue. The ribbon cutting, scheduled for 5:30 p.m., coincides with Small Business Saturday and promises to be a festival of sights and sounds. Live music from The Pickup Band will set the tone, Odd Lab will dazzle with fire and circus performances, and local flavors will flow from Tularosa Vineyards, 575 Brewing Co., and Tumbleweed Tularosa Distillery. Food trucks will line the street, shops such as Victoria Alamogordo and Roadrunner Galleria will stay open late from the 900 Block to the 1200 Block of New York Avenue and White Sands Blvd within the district. Celebrants will enjoy shopping as they stroll through the newly revitalized blocks and beyond to the new shops opening along the New York Avenue and White Sands Blvd 1200 Block corridor such as the 1200 Block Pop Up Emporium and enhanced offerings from Our Little Country Store.

For Holloman families, the event carries special meaning. Many of the airmen who volunteered with MainStreet’s  Makeover, alley way improvements and “Facade Squad” will see their handiwork celebrated as a tangible reminder that their service extends beyond the flight line. “My husband is retired military, so we know firsthand the sacrifices Holloman families make,” said Cindy Nowaczck, owner of Our Little Country Store at 1200 White Sands at New York Avenue. “Seeing airmen out here painting façades, volunteering for alley way improvements and helping with various Alamogordo MainStreet projects shows how deeply they care about Alamogordo. This grand opening isn’t just about new sidewalks—it’s about honoring that bond between the base and our community.”

Her words echo the sentiment of many downtown merchants from the 800 to the 1200 Blocks of New York Ave and White Sands Blvd who see Holloman’s volunteerism as a bridge between military service and civic pride. For small businesses, the revitalization and the partnership means more foot traffic, stronger connections, and a shared sense of ownership in Alamogordo’s future.

Christmas on MainStreet December 6th, 2025

Alamogordo's holiday festivities continue with the much-anticipated Christmas on MainStreet celebration, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 4 to 9 p.m. The event, designed to highlight the city's revitalized downtown area and foster community spirit among local families, businesses, and Holloman airmen, will stretch along New York Avenue from the refurbished 800 block to the 1200 block. Attendees can expect a magical evening recognizing cultures from around the world packed with entertainment, including live music stages on each block, performances by local choirs and dancers, and a special international flair provided by Ukrainian dancers. A dedicated Santa's Village will offer family fun, while numerous local vendors and crafters provide delicious treats and opportunities for late-night holiday shopping at local businesses.

Alamogordo Christmas Parade and  AFSA Chapter 1257 Saturday December 13th, 2025 6 pm

Adding to the season’s highlights, the 2025 Alamogordo Holiday Parade being organized by AFSA Chapter 1257, the Holloman Air Force Base chapter of the Air Force Sergeants Association. Representing enlisted personnel, retirees, and their families, AFSA advocates for benefits and quality of life while serving the community through volunteerism and public events. Their leadership in the parade underscores Holloman’s integration into Alamogordo’s traditions, ensuring that military families are celebrated alongside the broader community. Floats, marching groups, and holiday displays will bring the streets to life, blending civic pride with military heritage in one joyful procession.

Looking Ahead

Mayor Elect Sharon McDonald states: “As Alamogordo celebrates new downtown blocks, Christmas on MainStreet, a vibrant parade, and the warmth of our seasonal traditions, we also celebrate the quiet strength behind them—our partnership with Holloman. The volunteerism of Holloman’s Airmen and their spouses and family members isn’t just generous; it’s foundational. Every painted façade, every volunteer hour, every festive detail carries their imprint. This season, we’re not just lighting up the city—we’re illuminating a shared story of service, pride, and unity that defines who we are and where we’re going as a community one block at a time, one relationship at a time.”

As Alamogordo celebrates its new downtown blocks, holiday parade, and seasonal traditions, Holloman’s volunteer legacy shines through. Together, these events tell a story larger than any single ribbon cutting or parade. They reflect a partnership built on service and shared pride. Every façade painted, every sidewalk repaired, and every partnered act of volunteerism from Holloman’s airmen is a reminder that Alamogordo and Holloman thrive together. This holiday season, the city isn’t just celebrating—it’s building a future rooted in unity, tradition, and community spirit.

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