SAFFORD — The holidays bring another busy Saturday to the Gila Valley.
Things start in the morning with the seventh annual Fill the Ambulance event to benefit Toys for Tots, in the Walmart parking lot. Donors purchase new toys and place them in the Life Line ambulance.
In addition to toys, Life Line Ambulance will also accept new electronics and sports equipment for the teens, as well as clothing for all ages.
Starting at 4 p.m., Country Financial will celebrate its 11th anniversary of bringing the 27th annual Holiday Light Parade to Safford’s Main Street.
“It starts with a good idea, and then it takes a great community to support it,” said Country Financial’s Jenna Ferrin. “So every year, as we’ve grown, we’ve added more, and we’ve had more businesses want to participate, which makes a big difference.”
There will be a full slate of activity before the parade, with Santa meeting with boys and girls at the historic Safford Theatre from 4-5:45 p.m. Food trucks in the driveway in front of Safford City Hall will also open to the public starting at 4 p.m.
Entertainment will take place on the Kempton Chevrolet stage, starting at 5 p.m., with Safford Dance Academy, Gila Valley All-Star Cheer and Extreme Martial Arts performing for the crowd.
The parade will start after 6 p.m., starting from the Graham County Courthouse and traveling east to 3rd Avenue, turning right to 7th Street, where entries will disband.
The city will close Main Street and its intersections to traffic starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, re-opening at 10 p.m.
Right after the parade, from 7-9 p.m., Catholic Daughters of the Americas St. Rose of Lima Court will open the 2024 Festival of Trees in the church’s volunteer hall.
Dozens of trees decorated by volunteer groups will celebrate the theme, “Christ Is Our Hope.” Plus there will be concessions of green, mixed and bean burros, butter tortillas, popcorn balls and baked goods; and children can purchase stuffed animals and jewelry.
Following opening night, the Festival Trees will take place Dec. 16-20, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4-8 p.m. each day.
