SAFFORD — The official kick-off to the holiday season in the Gila Valley gets underway Friday with the 22nd annual Merry Main Street and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Safford.
It starts at 5:30 p.m. with the lighting of the tree in front of Safford City Hall. This year the tree will be lighted by Eastern Arizona Cinderella Pageant royalty.
Once the lights are on, the events down Safford’s Main Street will begin, including a chance for children to talk with Santa Claus in the lobby of the Safford Theatre.
Double R Sound will again make sure everything is heard from the Kempton Chevrolet stage, including Christmas Karaoke, while Eastern Arizona Courier will sponsor Holiday Bingo on the south corner of Main Street and 5th Avenue.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Other activities include playing on the Ice King hill of snow on the lawn in front of City Hall; making sugar cone trees, gingerbread houses and s’mores; football and basketball tosses; snowball fights; pie-eating, coloring and ugly sweater contests with cash prizes; a carousel; train; and more.
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. 9 on Safford’s Main Street.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
To stay up to date on Merry Main Street, go to the Safford Downtown Association’s Facebook Page.
Sponsors for Merry Main Street 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.
