New Holiday Events Discussed With Snowflake Town Council

By Naomi Hatch
   Pam Sutter and Elizabeth Tang are new to the area but they have taken an interest in helping bringing tourism. Both are members of the Snowflake-Taylor Tourism Committee, and Sutter was just elected vice president of the group.
   They have put together a Haunted Hay Ride, a wagon ride slated at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, that will take you on a spooky ride to the petroglyphs north of Snowflake on Highway 77.
   Sutter spoke to the town council Oct. 13 regarding the possibility of a Light Parade on the first day of the Twelve Days of Christmas and a Snowflake Drop on New Year’s Eve.
   “I’m representing tourism,” said Sutter, noting that Dean Porter had the idea for a light parade. She acknowledged that they had a light parade three years ago and it did not do well, but noted that she has 10 participants lined up so far. “There was something brought up about other towns doing it as well,” referring to the nighttime parades in Holbrook and Show Low.
   Mayor Kelly Willis said, “We have lots of neat activities.”
   Sutter explained that they would like to have Santa come to town following the parade.
   Councilman Jason Whiting asked if she had talked to the Heritage Foundation, stating, “They’re the ones right now that orchestrate all the 12 Days activities.” He went on to explain that they have a gentleman’s agreement between communities to not step on others’ toes and stated, “I think it would be advantageous to talk to them.”
   Whiting, who serves as president of the Tourism Committee, explained that they would like this to be a town event, so Tourism wouldn’t have to buy an insurance policy.
   Town Manager Paul Watson explained, “The idea is we (the town) do the tree lighting on the first day, and the concept is that we do the parade in conjunction with the tree lighting. Who actually does that fall under?”
   Watson said they discussed this at a staff meeting, talking to the staff about the concept and logistics of blocking off the road for the parade. He said, “We felt like that’s doable and we can make that happen.”
   There was discussion and suggestions were made. Watson said, “If the council wishes to endorse this, my staff would be happy to make it happen.”
   Whiting reiterated, “We need to work in unison with the Heritage Foundation so we’re working with and not against another organization.”
   Mayor Willis asked Watson to look into this, stating, “I think the greatest thing you need to do is go to the businesses and get them to participate to make this a great yearly event.”
   Sutter explained that the snowflake would drop at midnight on Dec. 31 to bring in the New Year.
   Sutter has purchased the metal for the snowflake and has someone to weld it. She spoke to Father Welch of Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church about using their new building and felt that he was amiable to that.
   Planning and Zoning Administrator Dale Call said that the building was not complete and did not have a certificate of occupancy at this time. Other suggestions of locations were made by the council.
   Sutter said that Mike James had offered to televise this with the hopes of it becoming well known everywhere.
   Sutter will continue to work on this and come back to the council in November with an update.