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-thru with animated and lighted displays in Fain Park. Each of the 59 displays consists of multiple parts decorated with thousands of lights covering areas on both sides of the road. Everywhere you turn there is something magical to be seen, including overhead as you drive through one of the three beautiful tunnels. Valley of Lights is open seven days a week from 6 to 10 p.m. beginning Thanksgiving night and running through Dec. 30. There is no admission. However, there is a suggested donation of $5 per vehicle, and you may go through as many times as you wish. For many this is a family tradition. 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 its lights around the Civic Center. The official lighting is at the Holiday Festival of Lights, which this year was on Nov. 30. This great evening included music from our local school choirs, a special holiday message from Mayor Harvey Skoog, a reading of the “Night Before Christmas” by me 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.
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.” The trees can be seen during library hours from the night of Holiday Festival of Lights through the new year.
The sounds of the season can be heard throughout Prescott Valley with musical and theatrical performances presented by the local schools and youth groups. Live holiday shows are presented through Prescott Valley Performing Arts and the Bradshaw Mountain High School Drama Troupe.
Prescott Valley is a Christmas and holiday destination. Its variety of activities, displays and lights makes it the perfect place to enjoy 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 or visit pvchamber.org.
