Light Your Way to Good Cheer

by Marnie Uhl, President/CEO, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce                
The spirit of the season is alive and glowing in Prescott Valley. Its premier holiday destination, the Valley of Lights, anchors a community that celebrates the Christmas and holiday season with lights, music and art. 
Valley of Lights is a 1-mile drive through animated and lighted displays in Fain Park. Each of the 60 displays consists of multiple parts decorated with thousands of lights that cover areas on both sides of the roadway. Everywhere you turn there is something magical to be seen, including overhead as you drive through each of the three beautiful tunnels.
Valley of Lights is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Friday, Saturday and holidays from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30. There is no admission, however a suggested donation is $5 per vehicle and you may go through as many times as you wish. For many this is a family tradition looked forward to every year.
Valley of Lights is sponsored by local businesses and organizations and is presented by the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce. 
The Town of Prescott Valley makes a huge investment for the holidays with lights around the Civic Center. The official lighting is done at the Holiday Festival of Lights, which this year was Dec. 4. This great evening included music from our local school choirs and college band, a special holiday message from Mayor Kell Palguta, a reading of the “Night before Christmas” by me — Chamber CEO Marnie Uhl — and the Night Light Parade.
Each of the three buildings comprising the campus, along with trees, walls and shrubbery, is covered in thousands of lights. It is believed there are so many lights the Civic Center can be seen from space! (Although this has not been confirmed). These lights are on every night until New Year’s Day.
New this year is Santa’s North Pole Village opening right after the Night Light parade around 6:30. Be transported to the North Pole and visit the Gumdrop Forest, Gingerbread Workshop and end the trip with a special sneak peek of Santa in his house. This will be held in the Prescott Valley Library Crystal Room. It is a new fun and free event.
More lights fill the Prescott Valley Entertainment District with displays and a Singing Christmas Tree. This downtown treasure opens Thanksgiving night and can be seen each night until the New Year. 
Art plays a huge part of the holiday celebration with the Prescott Valley Arts and Culture Commission’s Create-a-Tree display. Trees are decorated by individuals, businesses, organizations and groups and then put on display in the library. These trees are truly works of art as each one has a special identity and the creativity displayed is remarkable. Each year one tree is voted the “People’s Choice.” 
Added this year is the Create-a-Wreath display patterned after the successful Create-a-Tree and wreaths are decorated and put on display. The trees and wreaths can be seen during library hours from the night of Holiday Festival of Lights through the New Year. 
Our schools, churches and performing arts groups are working to be able to offer, in some way, the sounds of the season. Follow the news or your local school or church for information on holiday shows and musical events. 
Prescott Valley is a Christmas and holiday destination. Its variety of activities, displays and lights make it the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the season. 
For more information on Prescott Valley and the surrounding community holiday activities contact the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce at 928-772-8857 for visit www.pvchamber.org