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Parade of Lights hits Route 66 Saturday

The fifth annual Mountain Village Holiday Parade of lights will wend its way through downtown Williams Saturday evening.

Just prior to the parade a tree lighting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. in Monument Park on west Route 66.

Glow sticks will be available from Williams High School National Honor Society members to light the parade route.

Lineup will be at 4:30 p.m. on Ninth Street near Route 66. Motel 6 will provide hot chocolate to keep parade entrants warm while they wait.

Parade entries will include antique or special vehicles, recreational vehicles, water haulers (on trailers and on trucks), floats or specially decorated vehicles, marching or walking entries, bands or musical groups, commercial trucks and family cars or trucks.

Expect Santa to ride into town during the Parade of Lights Saturday, which will get underway at 5:15 p.m. in downtown Williams.Parade of Lights hits

Route 66 Saturday.

Judges will be Debbie LaJeunesse and Linda and Orvis Fugate. They will award prizes in each category that night based on best lighting and light effects, originality and creativity.

After the parade, Small Town America, at 117 E. Route 66, and the Rustic Raspberry, 112 S. First Street, will hold open houses with hot chocolate and cookies available.

Santa Claus will ride into town in the parade, then head to the Williams Recreation Center, around 6 p.m. Children will have a chance to tell Santa what they’re hoping for this Christmas.

Scott Warren of Williams Filmworks will be on hand to take photos of kids with Santa for a $5 fee paid that night.

Coffee, hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Craft fairs

Plan to be part of the second annual Mountain Village Holiday Christmas Craft Fair held 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 16 at Williams Skate Park on Railroad Avenue just west of Grand Canyon Boulevard.

Several events are planned at the skate park to keep attendees entertained.

On both days:

• Artwork from junior high art students will be on display.

• Jo Platt of Stampin’ Up will put on craft demonstrations.

• Janice Martinez from Giggles Clown Around will provide face painting.

• Scott Warren of Williams Filmworks will be on hand to take photos of people in snowman cutouts.

• Williams Lions Club will have a collection bin on site for Toys for Tots, used eyeglasses and hearing aids.

• Gingerbread Houses entered in Willliams first annual contest will be on display. Voting will take place during the craft fairs. A ballot box will be on site so people attending can vote.

• Williams Elementary/Middle School Builders Club will sell chili and fritos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• David Bixby will serve as emcee and provide musical entertainment beginning at 11 a.m.

• Arcoiris Folklorico Dancers de Williams will perform at 2 p.m.

• Williams High School and WEMS drama students will present a Living Nativity at 3 p.m.

Saturday’s activities

• The Community United Methodist Church Bell Choir will perform at 1 p.m.

• After the parade, Phil Sanzari and Joe Pronto, will play Christmas and country western music for a dinner/dance from 7-9 p.m.

• WHS Publications class serves a stew dinner fund-raiser beginning at 7 p.m. During this time, parade winners will be announced and Williams Civitan Club will be selling s’mores.

More Dec. 16 events

• WHS Publications class will hold a bake sale.

• Adrienne Christie and Patty Williams will host a sing-a-long at 1 p.m.

Gingerbread houses

All are invited to participate in the 1st annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce. Each family can contribute one entry and all parts must be edible. Judging will base on originality and creativity.

The gingerbread houses will be judged during the Christmas Craft Fair Saturday and Dec. 16. Voting will take place at this time with a ballot box on site so people attending these events can vote. There will be prizes for first place, second place and third place. Entrants will be responsible for transporting gingerbread houses to and from the events.

Business lights

All local businesses are urged to join in by stringing holiday lights now through Jan. 1, keeping them lit from dusk to at least 9 p.m. They are also asked to participate in the lighting ceremony on Saturday.

All businesses, even those who don’t enter the contest are asked to fill out a form indicating how many lights they have. The chamber wants to keep tabs on how well lighted the town is.

Residential lighting

As in past years, anyone who decides to enter the residential lighting contest (with a minimum of 500 lights) will get a $10 credit on their December electric bill. Residents who plan to string fewer lights are asked to join in as well. As with businesses, residential lights need to be up now through Jan. 1, and kept lit from dusk to at least 9 p.m. Residents are also asked to participate in the lighting ceremony on Saturday.

WHS Student Council will judge both residential and business entries on Dec. 14.

For additional information on any of these events call the City of Williams/Kaibab National Forest Visitor Center, at 635-1418.


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