Holbrook Holiday Events Noted

By Linda Kor
   There may be just a nip of chill in the fall air, but the holiday season is fast approaching and the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce has lined up several events to help prepare us all for a season of enjoyment and holiday cheer.
Holiday Business Showcase and Mixer
   The first event on the horizon will be the Holiday Business Showcase and Mixer scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Martinez Hall on the Navajo County Fairgrounds.
   In this annual event local business owners will be presenting their gift ideas for the holiday season to the public. These businesses will be displaying and selling their holiday shopping wares to encourage residents to shop local. Whether you have a storefront business or work from home, anyone with items to sell for holiday shoppers is encouraged to sign up for the event.
   “The objective of this event is to allow local merchants to display what they have available for holiday shoppers and encourage residents to shop locally,” explained Tara Cheney, executive assistant for the chamber. Local entertainers are also encouraged to sign up for the event to allow for more exposure to a varied audience. “Most of the entertainers in our community perform in an environment that not everyone may see. This will allow people to consider them for events such as weddings, parties and other special occasions,” stated Cheney.
   Spaces are free for chamber members and $35 for non-members. Vendors must supply their own set-ups and there are limited spaces that will have electrical access. Those interested must submit their form by Thursday, Nov. 12. Participation forms are available at the chamber and online at http://www.gotouraz.com/holbrook.
Capitol Tree Caravan
   The next event will be the Capitol Tree Caravan, which is slated to arrive in Holbrook on Wednesday, Nov. 18. This caravan will be on its last leg through the state of Arizona before heading out for the nation’s capitol.
   In conjunction with the caravan’s arrival, the chamber hopes to light up our local focal point, the historic courthouse at the corner of Arizona Street and Navajo Blvd. Although an exact time has not been given as of yet, the chamber is hopeful that a reception can be arranged to celebrate the arrival of the tree that will include lighting up the courthouse and having a tree of our own to decorate.
   “As the centerpiece of Holbrook, we feel that the courthouse should be a symbol of our community during the holidays,” explained Cheney, who encourages families, individuals, businesses and groups to contribute to the event. “We would welcome any lighting that anyone wanted to contribute and ornaments as well. We would like to see this grow into an annual tradition.”
   Anyone interested in contributing to the community Christmas tree by creating or buying an ornament is asked to make sure the ornament is made to withstand the elements and not be of a breakable material. The ornament will adorn the tree each year as more and more are added.
   Ornaments must be submitted to the chamber offices located in the historic courthouse by Friday, Nov. 13, in order that the tree may be decorated prior to its lighting on the following Wednesday.
Parade of Lights
   Holbrook’s Parade of Lights Festival is noted as having the first motorized light parade in Arizona and this year the 23rd parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5.
   In the event that the courthouse tree cannot be lit on Nov. 18, it will be rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, as part of the festivities.
   Vendors will be setting up booths during the day on Saturday prior to the parade, with the parade itself beginning at nightfall. The theme for this year’s parade is “A Christmas Story,” and as everyone from religious organizations to families and groups have their own story to tell, all residents are encouraged to enter the parade and share what Christmas means to them.
   Entries should be well lit for easy viewing. Prizes will be awarded for the categories of religious, youth, civic, public agency, marching, small and large commercial, equestrian and family/individual entries. There will also be an award for the best overall entry.
   Entries for the parade should be made by Thursday, Dec. 3. The entry forms are available at the chamber office or online.
   Arts, crafts and food vendors are welcome at a cost of $35 for a 10’x10’ space; the vendor must provide all setup.
Home and Business Holiday Lighting Contest
   Judging for the Home and Business Holiday Lighting Contest will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13. In order to be considered for judging, all entries must be registered with the chamber office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11.
   The guidelines for judging include the effectiveness of lights creating the display, the placement and uniformity of the lights, the use of design and color to create the decorations, the use of special lighted displays, the ingenuity and creativity exercised in the decorations, and the different arrangement or additional displays from the previous year, if the display was entered last year.
   The judging panel will give each entry a score from one to 10 in each of the listed areas. These scores will then be tallied to determine the winning displays. The prizes will be $50 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third place, with certificates provided to all participants.
   Each of these events is presented for the betterment of Holbrook as a community, and it is hoped that residents will take part by volunteering and attending these events so that Holbrook will to continue to prosper not only as a city, but as a community. For more information on any of these events, contact the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce at 524-6558 or stop by the chamber office located in the historic courthouse.