SAFFORD — Nearly 10,000 Gila Valley residents lined Safford’s Main Street on Saturday to enjoy one of the Gila Valley’s longest-running holiday traditions, the 26th annual Country Financial Light Parade.
The parade featured 43 entries, from families and churches, to local businesses, schools and governmental bodies.
On Monday, the Safford Downtown Association announced the judges’ choices for winners in this year’s parade. They are:
● School — Arizona Arts Academy, “Rockin’ in a Winter Wonderland”
● Church — The Way World Outreach, “Snow Globe Winter at the Way”
– Gila Valley Central Photo
● Family and Friends — Graham & Greenlee Jeepers, “Graham & Greenlee Jeepers”
– Gila Valley Central Photo
● Small Business —A&E Mobile Repair, “Tool-Mater’s Winter Wonderland”
● Large Business — Open Loop Energy, “Cabin Fever”
– Gila Valley Central Photo
● Nonprofit — Graham County Electric Co-op, no title
– Gila Valley Central Photo
● Government — Graham County, “Winter Wonderland in Graham County”
– Gila Valley Central Photo
Each winner has the option of donating their winnings to a local nonprofit or charity. A&E Mobile Repair announced it is donating its prize to Mt. Graham Safe House, Open Loop is donating to Gila Valley Samaritan House, Graham County Electric Co-op is donating to Our Neighbor’s Farm and Pantry, and Graham County is donating to the Marge Schade House of Hope Sober Living Facility.
Video of the full parade can be viewed on the KATO 1230AM Facebook Page.
Before the parade children had the chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus; enjoy food trucks; and watch performances by Extreme Martial Arts, Gila Valley All-Star Cheer and Safford Dance Academy, in front of the Kempton Chevrolet Stage.
