by Heidi Dahms Foster, Communications Coordinator, Town of Prescott Valley
It’s hard to believe Prescott Valley’s 40th anniversary year is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the great events are ending!
Gold Fever Day at the beginning of October was the last fall event, and now the community is looking forward to a busy holiday season.
Prescott Valley’s mile-long Valley of Lights drive-through event in Fain Park, sponsored by the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, has been a popular holiday staple for years, with both locals and visitors making their way through this magical mile of animated and stationary lighted panorama.
You’ll see holiday wreaths, trees and reindeer, some traditional seasonal displays such as Noah’s Ark, a Bethlehem village and a lighted menorah, Old West arrays including a bucking horse, Western village and an antique animated train, a huge American flag, tunnels of snowflakes, holly and candy canes, elves tossing gifts and jumping rope, Snoopy on his doghouse, and much more. At the end of this mile of fun, you’ll see Santa relaxing in a hammock after his busy day.
Valley of Lights in Fain Park off 5th Street (there’s a lighted soldier just off Highway 69 to direct you) will open Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 22 and remain open from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30. The display is free, but donations are appreciated.
In 2017, the Prescott Valley Chamber answered the many requests and hosted a Holiday Stroll through the Valley of Lights — one evening for people to walk the display rather than drive and enjoy time for photos, listen to carolers and visit with Santa. The event was overwhelmingly popular and will be back this year on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Also opening on Thanksgiving is a light display and a singing Christmas tree in Prescott Valley’s Entertainment District, perfect for a stroll before dinner or a movie.
On Nov. 30, the Town of Prescott Valley and the Chamber will present a wondrous evening of family fun with the annual Holiday Festival of Lights, a program of youth music and children’s story time and then the spectacular lighting of the entire Prescott Valley Civic Center complex. After the lighting, a Night Light Parade will circle the Civic Center, including, to the delight of children of all ages, Santa Claus arriving on a fire truck.
Inside the Civic Center, the Town hosts a free photos with Santa event and the artistic Create-a-Trees will be on display in the public library.
For details on any of these events, please visit the Town of Prescott Valley Facebook page, pvaz.net, or the PV Chamber of Commerce at pvchamber.org.