Prescott – Arizona’s Christmas City

Did you know that Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City? And it is with good reason!  Prescott Pines Camp’s home city not only hosts the annual parades (yes, that is right parades, as in plural) but also is the location of the Worlds’ Largest Gingerbread Village.  (Our family from out of town came to celebrate our baby shower/ Prescott- rings-in-Christmas weekend with us.  They mistakenly thought the “largest” gingerbread village referred to the size of the house rather than the size of the miniature village. My sister-in-law was rather disappointed then when she could not walk into a house to gnaw on the candy door frame or the lick the frosted covered walls. We had to settle for Costco hot dogs after our tour at Prescott Resort.)  But the most cherished event that marks the city for its Christmas charm and cheer is the annual lighting of the courthouse.

Saturday night hundreds gathered around the square to participate in the event.  With the grassy grounds and majestic elms covered in winter white this year, the moment of anticipation seemed even more brilliant as the choir sang “Joy to the World.”  Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett read the Christmas Story and how the Light of the World came to dwell among us was again proclaimed in the public square.   The beloved Prescott tradition ended as it always does with the crowd together merrily singing “Jingle Bells.”  In previous years, thrity-seven decorated trees illuminated the downtown square throughout the season. This year, in honor of Arizona’s Centennial and due largely in part to the memorial fund on behalf of Edwin Anderson, one hundred trees will glow every evening from five o’clock until midnight ending January 10^th.  Check out Prescott’s City Event Calendar for other seasonal moments you won’t want to miss out on like this Friday’s Acker Night. The streets will be closed off for thousands of people who will patronize  80 downtown businesses, restaurants, galleries, and coffee houses showcasing local musicians in order to fund raise for performing arts scholarships for local youth.  Come see the lights, enjoy the music, and visit us up here at camp where you can help yourself to a little frolic in the snow!