Contributed article
SAFFORD — A Gila Valley Holiday tradition is just a few weeks away.
The 22nd annual Merry Main Street and Tree Lighting ceremony will take place on Safford’s Main Street on Friday. Nov. 24, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The event, put on by the Safford Downtown Association with support from the City of Safford, begins with the lighting of the large evergreen tree in front of Safford City Hall, followed by Santa Claus being escorted down Main Street to the Safford Theatre, where he will visit with the boys and girls.
The night will be filled with games and activities throughout Safford’s Downtown, including an old favorite and another making its second appearance.
Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co is sponsoring the s’mores area for the fifth consecutive Merry Main Street.
“It’s been amazing,” said Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co owner Tricia Garrett, “and it’s growing every year. We’ll have three fire pits this year.”
Last year, Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co gave away 800 s’mores kits, and are making 1,000 kits available this year.
Returning for the second year is the Ugly Sweater Contest, sponsored by Roycycled Treasures.
“I’m hoping to see really creative sweaters,” said Roycycled Treasures owner Royce Hunt-Bell. “You don’t really see them in the stores any more, like we used to, so a lot of people make their ugly sweaters. So I’m just hoping to see creativity and people having fun with it.”
Top prize in the Ugly Sweater Contest is $125 in cash.
Other events and activities include a snowball fight; Christmas bingo; football toss and cornhole; coloring, pie-eating and gingerbread house contests; and more.
To stay up to date on Merry Main Street, go to the Safford Downtown Association’s Facebook Page.
