Arizona Daily Star 2012 This year’s version of the Parade of Lights, set for Saturday, Dec. 16, will focus on the downtown core and Jacome Plaza.
When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, downtown is doing it right this year.
The Downtown Tucson Partnership has planned five weeks of festivities they’re calling Desert Nights Downtown Lights, in an effort to attract families to the area and to highlight the holidays.
One of those festivities is 15 tons of snow that you and your kids can play in at the Parade of Lights Festival on Saturday, Dec. 16. There’s even going to be a hill for sledding and free discs to slide on.
The festival includes a health fair, live music, a bell ringing ceremony, a tree lighting ceremony and, of course, the annual Parade of Lights.
Speaking of the parade, there’s a new route this year, which focuses on the downtown core and Jacome Plaza.
If you’re planning on entering the parade, entries are being accepted through Monday, Dec. 4.
Holidays at Jacome
“Instead of just coordinating one event, we’re promoting five weeks of entertainment at Jacome Plaza,” said Kathleen Eriksen, CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership. “We are activating that public space.”
More than 38 downtown buildings and 154 trees will be lit up with white lights. Thirty downtown businesses are participating in a window decorating contest and there are weekly activities planned at Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., all month.
“We are just super excited,” Eriksen said. “This is the way it should be done.”
Here’s the skinny:
Window contest
You’ll get to be the judge of this year’s window contest. There are 30 business decking out their storefronts in hopes of winning the prize of two round-trip plane tickets to anywhere in the U.S. So, go downtown from Nov. 25 to Dec. 9 to vote for your favorites. There will be ballot boxes inside each participating business or you can vote on Facebook.
Photos with Santa
While you’re downtown, get the kids’ picture taken with Santa. He’ll be at Jacome Plaza on weekends starting Dec. 8. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays; 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.
Outdoor Office
Bring your computer and your project to the plaza and do your work in the new outdoor office space. There’s free Wi-Fi and bistro tables and chairs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Picnic in the Park
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can have your lunch and play lawn games and table tennis with your friends. There will also be pop-up events during these hours such as fitness classes, music, painting in the park and more. A schedule will be posted in the park daily.
