local
City of Las Cruces names Grand Marshal for 2026 Electric Light Parade
By Jocelyn Flores at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- For the upcoming Electric Light Parade to celebrate 250 years of American history, the City of Las Cruces has named the Grand Marshal of the event. New Mexico native and Master Sergeant Melissa Gonzales was announced as this year's Grand Marshal. The parade will take plac...
Key takeaway New Mexico native and Master Sergeant Melissa Gonzales was announced as this year's Grand Marshal.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The selection of Master Sergeant Melissa Gonzales as Grand Marshal for the Electric Light Parade in Las Cruces has implications for the broader El Paso area, given the close cultural and economic ties between the two cities. As a neighboring city, Las Cruces' events often draw attendees from El Paso, and this parade is likely to be no exception. The fact that the parade is celebrating 250 years of American history may also resonate with El Paso's own rich cultural heritage, which includes a unique blend of American, Mexican, and indigenous influences. The choice of a Grand Marshal with a military background may also be of interest to El Paso's significant military community. With the parade taking place on July 3, El Paso residents may be among those traveling to Las Cruces to participate in the festivities, making this a regional event with local relevance.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- For the upcoming Electric Light Parade to celebrate 250 years of American history, the City of Las Cruces has named the Grand Marshal of the event. New Mexico native and Master Sergeant Melissa Gonzales was announced as this year's Grand Marshal. The parade will take plac...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jocelyn Flores at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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