Prescott: "Arizona's Christmas City"

In 1989, Prescott, Arizona was dubbed by Governor Rose Mofford to be Arizona's Christmas City. This year marks 60 years of the annual tradition of donning the trees of Courthouse Square with incredible lights, making a spectacularly colorful show every night they are illuminated. This year's show is rumored to be nicknamed the "Super Bowl of Christmas Lights."

A lit up Courthouse Square from 2013!
Source: http://www.michael-wilson.com/Landscapes/Prescott/i-SJxWX22

Since "tis the season," here are some winter happenings going on in our festive town:

32nd Annual Christmas Parade

Saturday, December 6th, 1PM-3PM, around downtown Prescott. The theme this year is "150 Years of Christmas Memories."

60th Annual Courthouse Lighting Celebration

Saturday, December 6th, Courthouse Square, 4PM for musical groups singing, 6PM for lighting ceremony.

Christmas City Charity Ball

Saturday, December 13th, 7PM-11PM at the Prescott Gateway Mall. $25 for adults, $10 for teens. 

For adults, there will be food, live music from the Steve Annibale band, a dance competition, carolers, and a silent auction, as well as a catered event for teenagers, with a performance by the Cross Eyed Possum band. The six charities being supported are:

Prescott Meals on Wheels, United Animal Friends, Prescott Area Habitat, Prescott Area Shelter Services, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, and West Yavapai Guidance Clinic

Wildlights and Animal Sights

Every Friday and Saturday night of December, 6PM-9PM, at the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. A holiday lights display at the zoo! $3 for members of the zoo, $5 for nonmembers.

Home for the Holidays

This ongoing event, running through December 28th, is through the Yavapai Humane Society, and is reducing dog adoption fees to $30 and cat adoption fees to $25 to encourage the community to "give the gift of life to a deserving pet." They also are encouraging people who cannot adopt to donate items for their shelter! http://www.yavapaihumane.org/

Ice Skating at Tim's Toyota Center

Here is their schedule of open skating for the month of December: 

http://prescottvalleyeventcenter.com/images/stories/events/December_2014_Ice_Schedule.pdf

Photos with Santa at the Prescott Gateway Mall

Here is the schedule of photos with Santa for the month of December: 

http://nebula.wsimg.com/61d7ca2df8a50b64209c69d7059fa298?AccessKeyId=AF537A351E014213D68A&disposition=0&alloworigin=1

And finally, to ring in 2015 in true Wild, Wild West fashion....

The boot last year!
Source: http://www.bootdrop.net/#!venue/galleryPage

The 4th Annual New Year's Eve Boot Drop
Wednesday, December 31st, 10PM and midnight on historic Whiskey Row in Downtown Prescott.
A 6 foot tall illuminated cowboy boot will be lowered from the Palace Building's flagpole at both 10PM and midnight. Fireworks occur at midnight. There will be live music, a carnival with a ferris wheel, giveaways, and food!

--Steph Doss