Indulge in memories of Christmases in any part of America during the past 150 years and rest assured that “Everybody’s Hometown” comes as close to your ideal as imaginable.
Lightly falling snow (perhaps) falling over a brilliantly lighted Courthouse Plaza, the singing of Christmas carols by choral students and the retelling of the Christmas story on the Courthouse steps are just a few of the trademark Christmas traditions every year in Prescott’s small-town America.
Designated “Arizona’s Christmas City” in 1989 by former Governor Rose Mofford, Prescott goes all out for the emotional appeal that symbolizes the season and makes people of all ages yearn for simplicity and child-like awe. A lesser-known proclamation by Governor Paul Fannin in 1962 also exists, according to Prescott Chamber of Commerce CEO David Maurer and City of Prescott Tourism Director Don Prince. How exactly that better-known proclamation by Governor Mofford came about remains somewhat of a mystery, Prince indicated, since “all of those records have disappeared. People have been looking…and have not found them.”
Governor Mofford’s proclamation captured the essence of Arizona’s Christmas City and perpetuated its kickoff that year and every one to follow, when “the season becomes official through the Courthouse lighting as it shall be held in Prescott.”
Now in its 60th year, setup of the plaza light show and other Christmas lights funded through the Courthouse Lighting program begins in mid-September, when the Phoenix-area specialty firm hired for the job comes to Prescott to string the trees. All the decorations on the Courthouse building are placed by Prescott’s A&B Sign Company.
The $60,000 lighting project is half funded by the City of Prescott, with the remaining contributions from private sector individuals and businesses, Maurer said. For the past several seasons, a small fundraiser by Tommy and Joan Meredith’s Jersey Lilly Saloon on Whiskey Row has grown to raise $15,000 to $16,000, Maurer said.
“The Prescott area is a draw for tourists most times of the year, including Christmas, and a lot of the things we are talking about are just long-standing traditions that people still come to,” Maurer said. “Christmas holidays in general make you think of small-town America…It’s not because we have the most Christmas lights, but we have the hometown feel that everyone had when they were growing up.”
Governor Mofford also proclaimed that “all who view Prescott’s unusual beauty and the tasteful commemoration of our shared values, understand immediately that those values transcend lines distinguishing one religion from another” and that “the feelings of love and joy are captured in the ceremony and in the eyes of children and adults alike.”
Not only a scramble for the very important gift buying at stores, boutiques and service businesses throughout the community’s downtown, shopping centers and stand-alone boutiques, Christmas in Prescott offers activities intended to bring families and friends closer through cheerful celebration.
For the little ones, the Christmas tradition often includes writing letters to Santa, gleefully watching an outdoor Christmas parade, participating in music pageants at school and experiencing plenty of crafts that keep their young minds intrigued.
It is also the time when a white-bearded gentleman in a red suit makes an annual appearance, listens attentively to what children desire under the tree and encourages stellar behavior to help ensure that the gifts are forthcoming. Santa arrives this year on Saturday, Nov. 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at Prescott Gateway Mall.
Next up is the Prescott Downtown Partnership’s Light Parade Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m., following a new route and ending with a bonfire, holiday entertainment and float displays at Prescott Mile High Middle School.
The popular morning Christmas Parade and evening Courthouse Lighting Ceremony take stage Saturday, Dec. 6, with long-time resident, historian and community advocate Elizabeth Ruffner, 95, as the parade’s grand marshal. This year’s theme, “150 Years of Christmas Memories,” salutes Arizona’s Sesquicentennial.
“I am thrilled to death and pleased as can be,” Ruffner said of the grand marshal invitation. “I will be wearing my red power suit and showing the royal wave… It’s a great honor, a great honor.”
Ruffner has been in Prescott for 74 years and said her favorite part is “all of the students and others coming back home for the holidays. It makes our town even livelier than during the rest of the year. The vitality of the young people who have chosen to come to Prescott to live and work… makes for a joyful time. The youth of the world are our future and we are turning out some wonderful youth in our town.”
Another downtown favorite, the Acker Musical Showcase, will host its 26th annual engagement Friday, Dec. 12, with more than 100 musicians performing from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in area shops. The Prescott YMCA’s Youth Ballet performs excerpts from “The Nutcracker” Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, at 2 and 4 p.m. at Prescott Gateway Mall.
The Christmas season makes a longer appearance at The Christmas Store, 1235 Willow Creek Road. The family business, run by Donna Albus and her daughter, Connie, has been open for the past 10 years from May 1 through Christmas.
“I’ve always loved Christmas and it’s just a really fun business,” Donna Albus said. “Everybody comes in with a smile on their face and talks about past Christmases. “
Connie has brought a whole new market to the business, with 90 percent of sales now originating online. “It takes us all year to get ready for Christmas,” she said of the store, which also sells year-round gifts.
The store’s wares include more than 3,000 ornaments from around the world for all ages, occasions, sports and most occupations. Hot mulled cider and homemade cookies are served on a decorated patio.
Prescott’s overnight guests and day visitors significantly impact the city coffers through Christmas shopping, the Courthouse Plaza lighting, and the overall festival spirit of downtown Prescott, according to Prince.
“We get an awful lot of day visitors,” he noted. “They come up [from the Phoenix and Scottsdale area] to shop, see the Courthouse Plaza lights and the overall ambience of our downtown, which I think is unique in Arizona. It helps us with future return visits and is a very good marketing tool for us.”
One recent holiday addition is the New Year’s Eve Boot Drop, now in its fourth year. Boot Drop originator Tracey Horn of Helken & Horn Advertising Agency managed the event for its first three years, including a collaboration with the Prescott Chamber of Commerce in 2013.
“It has become its own little tradition already,” Maurer said of the Boot Drop. A lot of people – young people in particular – are looking for someplace different and unique to party on New Year’s Eve. It has done well attracting crowds.”
Both Prince and City of Prescott Special Events Manager Becky Karcie noted that the city has been evaluating additional draws, such as a (synthetic) ice skating rink and other winter festivities, tempered by the mild winter climate.
“The challenge,” Prince said, “is that we have a little bit of winter, but not enough for a winter destination.” QCBN
For details on all the Christmas events in Prescott, contact the Visitor Information Center at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce, 117 W. Goodwin St., 928-445-2000, or www.prescott.org.
By Sue Marceau