Cowboy Christmas, Merry Main Street highlight the holiday weekend

Children enjoy the carousel at the 2023 Merry Main Street event. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — “We’ve got snow up on the mountain and we’re starting off a good year,” said Marion Hastings with the Safford Lions Club, sponsor of this year’s Cowboy Christmas.

Cowboy Christmas, the Reindeer Connection and Candy Cane Lane boutiques at Graham County Fairgrounds got the holiday season started Friday and Saturday, with more than 100 vendors offering hand-made and unique items.

“This is one of my best shows, and I try to get here every year,” said Ron Wood Works owner Ron Warner, who has participated the last seven years.

Tina Heck, left, and Sue Blevins talk with Vance Tague at the Ron Wood Works booth at the 2023 Cowboy Christmas event at Graham County Fairgrounds.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Also on Friday was the 22nd annual Merry Main Street in Downtown Safford.

The event kicked-off at dark with the lighting of the tree in front of Safford City Hall by Eastern Arizona Cinderella Pageant royalty.

Once the lights were on, families had their choice of a number of free activities, including riding a train down Main Street as well as riding a working carousel; taking part in snowball fights; playing holiday bingo; singing holiday karaoke; participating in ugly sweater, pie-eating, gingerbread house making and coloring contests; and more.

Mayor Jason Kouts offers the countdown for the Eastern Arizona Cinderella Pageant royalty to flip the switch, lighting the tree on the lawn of Safford City Hall.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

“Jo Hancock worked her tail off trying to create enough games and things like that for kids, and there was lots of stuff to do,” said Danny Smith, president of the Safford Downtown Association. “If you’re 5 and under, or 50 and older, this was a good event.”

Sponsors for Merry Main Street include the Freeport-McMoRan, Ponderosa Air Ambulance, United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, CMI, SunZia, RioSol, The Graham County Chamber of Commerce, City of Safford and Safford Downtown Association.

Events and contests were also sponsored by Gila All-Star Cheer, Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co, Keyhole Properties, Willa’s Cottage, Ginaveve’s Marketplace, Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley, Great Communities Resource Center (GCRC), Roycycled Treasures, The Venue and Vignette, Gila Valley Photo Booth, EAC Cinderella,  Jacque Attaway Realty, GFWC Woman’s Club of Safford, State Farm Insurance, Ice King, Eastern Arizona Courier, and the Safford High School varsity boys basketball team and spirit line.

Safford City Hall and the tree are lighted Friday, Nov. 24, officially starting Merry Main Street and the holiday season in the Gila Valley.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

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