SAFFORD — The official kick-off to the holiday season in the Gila Valley gets underway Friday with the 23nd annual Merry Main Street and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Safford.
It starts at 5:30 p.m. with the Freeport-McMoRan Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of Safford City Hall. This year the tree will be lighted by Safford Mayor Richard Ortega.
Once the lights are on, the Ponderosa Air Ambulance Merry Main Street begins, with events down Safford’s Main Street, including a chance for children to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus in the historic Safford Theatre.
Double R Sound will again make sure everything is heard from the Kempton Chevrolet stage, including Christmas Karaoke.
Other activities include making s’mores in front of Copper and Cotton Lifestyle Co; cookie decorating inside Main Street Café; writing letters to Santa and talking to Mrs. Claus at Willow’s Cottage; and sledding on the snow hill on the lawn in front of Safford City Hall, courtesy of Ginaveve’s Market Place.
All events and activities for the entire family are free.
The next day is Shop Small Saturday, where residents are encouraged to return to the Downtown area and patronize the locally-owned businesses and restaurants that support events such as Merry Main Street and the Holiday Light Parade, which will take place Dec. 14 on Safford’s Main Street.
To stay up to date on Merry Main Street, go to the Safford Downtown Association’s Facebook Page.
Sponsors for Merry Main Street and Tree Lighting Ceremony include the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, CMI, SunZia, RioSol, The Graham County Chamber of Commerce, City of Safford and Safford Downtown Association.
