GRANTS - MainStreet doesn't let the grass grow under its feet, nor does it let funding slip away.

“We haven't lost any money due to the slow economy,” said Randy Hoffman, interim director of Grants MainStreet Project.

After a 120 day wait for approval of the Air Space Agreement by the state Department of Transportation, drivers along east Santa Fe Avenue at Roberta Road will see a neon Welcome Gateway Sign, according to Hoffman.

The $70,000 project was funded by the state Department of Tourism and will be 21 feet high.

Hoffman reported the Fire and Ice Pavilions is another project in the works, and is funded through special appropriations earmarked by the state's Main Street Economic Development Department.

The $140,000 project will be built to a design by Dr. Phil Gallegos of the University of New Mexico Architectural College and involving graduate students. The pavilions will be completed by June 20, in time for this year's bike rally.

The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held on April 11. The event will have four age groups and they will each be assigned to a separate location.

Children aged one to four will be at the playground, five to seven year olds will meet in front of City Hall, eight to ten year olds will meet at the Chamber of Commerce grassy area and ages 11 to 12 will meet at the pond.

About 1,200 children are expected to attend the hunt for 5,000 eggs. A bicycle and nine Easter egg baskets will also be given away to each age category.

The event will start at 11 a.m.

The 9th Annual Fire and Ice Historic 66 Bike Rally will be held this year on the third weekend in July.

“Expect a special show next year, because it is the 10th anniversary, “ said Don Jaramillo, Fire and Ice Bike Rally board member.

“In today's economy, we don't expect an outstanding amount of people, but we don't expect a decrease. This is a regional event, within a 200 mile radius,” he continued.

“Last year there was a five percent increase. About 20,000 people attend, but it's still small. Some vendors call it “Little Sturges” because of how fast it has grown,” said Jaramillo. Sturges, S.D., is home of one the world's largest motorcycle rallies.

A big attraction will be the entertainment. Dokken, a mid-1980s rock band, will have a new album out in May and be the big band playing on Saturday.

Friday's entertainment is still being organized, but there will be a give-away of a trailer donated by a local dealer.

Sunday will feature a battle of the bands, with a minimal entry fee. Also, church services will be held by Christian Motorcycle Association and followed by a big Christian band that will play at noon, as our way of saying thanks for coming out on Sunday.

Other activities will be the selection of the annual Biker Baby, the giving away of a 2009 Sportster donated by Four Corner Harley-Davidson, a custom bike show and contest sponsored by Dancing Eagle Casino featuring L.A. Guns, a band from Los Angeles.

Exact dates and times of all events will be announced closer to the Bike Rally date.

The Graduate Barbeque will be held in May at the Gazebo. The annual event is free for teens and their families.

The Christmas Light Parade has undergone a two-year project to get new Christmas decorations for Grants' main street, Santa Fe Avenue. White lights will be wound around trees and window decorations will be on all the businesses along the avenue. At the end of the parade, Santa will give gifts to all the children who visit at the Fire and Ice Park.

These are only a few of the projects and events scheduled to add to community enjoyment of the downtown area.