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.
– 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.
– 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.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
