“Bigger and better than ever!”
That is what Kendall Jaspers, executive director of the Prescott Downtown Partnership, says about upcoming events, which have brought worldwide recognition to Prescott as “Arizona’s Christmas City.”
Jaspers, with considerable pride, cited a recent article published in USA Today ranking Prescott as a “must see” community in Arizona, especially during the exuberant Christmas season.
“I am more and more impressed every year with how many people and organizations work together to make the celebration so successful,” said Margo Christensen, Ponderosa Hotel Management vice president and marketing director.
She praised the Prescott Downtown Partnership (PDP), the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, the Tourism Advisory Committee, Tommy Meredith of Jersey Lilly Saloon, Matt and Marco with the Enchanted Christmas and other supporters.
“I hope residents and visitors will realize the tremendous amount of time it takes to produce all the events we sponsor to maintain our official ‘Christmas City’ status,” she said.
More than just local residents will know about “Arizona’s Christmas City,” when the Cox TV “Arizona Weekend Explorer” show is broadcast throughout the Valley of the Sun. City of Prescott Tourism Director Don Prince says TV crews shot a 30-minute travel program about Prescott in October. The show is airing this month.
Acknowledgement of Prescott as a community that celebrates Christmas in a unique way goes back 53 years. In 1962, then Gov. Paul Fannin declared Prescott to be the official Arizona “Christmas Town.”
It was 27 years later that the more recent name, “Christmas City,” came to be when then Gov. Rose Mofford issued an official proclamation to that effect, according to Prescott Chamber of Commerce CEO David Maurer.
The economic impact of having thousands of residents and visitors involved in eating out, spending money on lodging and, of course, shopping throughout a month-long period is incalculable, Jaspers says.
A Holiday Light Parade on Saturday, Nov. 28, signaled the beginning of more than a month of Christmas celebrations. For the first time, the Memorial Island Triangle at the intersection of Gurley and Sheldon will be decorated.
Christmas Parade, Courthouse Lighting Attract Thousands
Thousands of people will line downtown streets at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, to view more than 100 parade entries, including 10 marching bands.
“The Chamber of Commerce coordinates the parade,” said Maurer. “We’re pleased to have Marlin Kuykendall, the retiring Prescott mayor, as Grand Marshal,” Maurer said.
Later, at 6 p.m. that day, streets around the iconic Courthouse Square will be jam-packed at opening ceremonies marking the 61st annual Courthouse Lighting. For the 25th consecutive year, Prescott native Ken Bennett, former Arizona state legislator, secretary of state and now a Congressional candidate, will read the Christmas story. Afterward, a kaleidoscope of colors will brighten the courthouse and adjacent trees when the switch is turned on.
Those lights will remain on during nighttime all the way through Martin Luther King weekend in January 2016, Maurer said.
The cumulative cost for the various celebrations amount to “…$75,000 to $85,000 annually. The city contributes $30,000; the Chamber of Commerce, $5,000; and the PDP, $5,000.
Jaspers and Maurer both praised Jersey Lilly Saloon owner Tommy Meredith and the Friends of Jersey Lilly for setting a goal of an additional $30,000 to be collected from the private sector as support for the Courthouse Lighting.
Acker Music Night Showcases Quad Cities Performing Groups
Acker Music Night is another Prescott tradition that brings thousands of people together.
Following the opening ceremony at 5:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, in front of Bashford Court on Gurley Street, the public can wander streets to hear performers entertain from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“Acker Night has become so popular that we’ve expanded the venues to include the Depot Marketplace and SpringHill Suites on Sheldon,” said J.S. Acker Music Park Association President Scotty Currey. “More than 110 performing groups will be scattered throughout downtown Prescott at virtually every business along the way.”
The festive Wells Fargo stagecoach will be parked downtown for those who want a photo opportunity.
A special event is planned for 7:15 p.m. near the platform at Bashford Court. “We’re inviting everyone from throughout the community to join together and fill the evening air with the joyous sound of the ‘Hallelujah’ Chorus’ from Handel’s Messiah,” said Currey.
He added that a rumor – not yet confirmed but fairly reliable, was “…that some aliens, possibly from Star Wars, were going to visit Prescott to get the feel of the Christmas season. We want people to be aware of this possibility,” he warned.
Many More Entertainment Activities
The popular Prescott POPS Symphony Orchestra is presenting “Home for the Holidays” at 3 p.m., Sunday Dec. 13, at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center (YCPAC).
The Texas Tenors will perform “Deep in the Heart of Christmas” at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at the YCPAC.
Several other programs are scheduled at the YCPAC. Visit www.ycpac.com for a complete listing.
Boot Drop Welcomes 2016
The city invites all to close out the Christmas festivities and ring in the New Year by attending the traditional Boot Drop scheduled for 10 p.m. and midnight on Thursday, Dec. 31. Hundreds are expected to celebrate with the lowering of the illuminated custom-made cowboy boot across the street from the Courthouse Square. A carnival, ferris wheel and fireworks will be part of the festivities. QCBN
By Ray Newton, QCBN
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