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Mountain Village Holiday events

Williams’ winter festival, built around the theme, “‘Tis the Season,” is fast approaching.

Applications for entries into this year’s light parade and business and residential lighting contests are due by Nov. 30.

Join the spirit of Williams seventh annual Mountain Village Holiday Festival by picking up an application for these events at the City of Williams/Forest Service Visitors Center, located on the northwest corner of Railroad Avenue and Grand Canyon Boulevard. The visitor center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Remember, the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce and Williams Main Street Association sponsors the parade of lights and lighting contests to give visitors and residents a sense of warmth and welcome. This is a chance to transform this mountain town into a glowing holiday spectacle.

Light parade

The parade will begin promptly at 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and will wend its way east on Route 66 from Ninth to Pine streets. This year’s grand marshals are the Chamber Ambassadors — a volunteer group, which turns out in force to promote Williams events.

Awards will be presented at the announcer’s stand located in the NAPA parking lot following the parade.

Judging will be based on best lighting effects, originality, theme and creativity.

Awards categories include: Antique/Special Vehicle, Float, Equestrian Unit, Large Walking Group (five or more), Small Walking Group (one to five) and Emergency Vehicle. In addition, this year there will be two judges’ trophies for Best Commercial Business and Best of Theme Entry.

Lighting contests

The residential and business lighting contests run from Dec. 1 through New Year’s Day with participants agreeing to keep their lights glowing at least from dusk to 9 p.m. those nights.

Judges will start making the rounds to pick winning entries at 8 p.m. Dec. 13.

Residential entrants with 500 or more lights will receive a $10 credit on the December electric bill, courtesy of the City of Williams and Arizona Public Service.

Award categories for residential lighting are of Best Lighting Effect, Best Spirit and Best Creativity.

The business entries fall into a variety of slots based on the number of lights — large hotels (5,000 or more), small hotels (3,000+), restaurants (3,000+), other businesses (1,000+), large retail outlets and service stations (1,000+) and small retail outlets (500+).

Award categories for the business lighting contest include hotels/motels/RV Parks; restaurants; retail (large) and other large businesses; and stores/shops and other small businesses.

Other events

Mountain Village Holiday events slated for Dec. 8, in addition to the parade, include:

• The Christmas Craft Fair will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in The Shed, Williams Skate Park. This is the site for handmade and homemade craft items as well as edible goodies. In addition to unique holiday vendors, carolers and musicians will be entertaining there throughout the day.

• A ChiliFest will be held 5-7 p.m. (or until chili runs out). This fund-raiser will also take place in the skate park. Chili will be sold for $1 per bowl, and proceeds will go to Williams Lions Club Toy’s for Tot’s drive.

• Once again this year, the Williams Youth Recreation Center will be transformed into Santaland, and is a chance to nab photos with Santa. This year, two sessions are planned — 6-7:30 p.m. prior to the parade and 8:30-10 p.m. after the parade.

For more information about any of these events, call the chamber at 635-1418.


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