November 28, 2012 • Vol. 11, No. 3
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
www.thefoothillsfocus.com
ECRWSS Carrier Route PreSorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 371 Cave Creek, AZ
Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Carefree celebrates Christmas season STAFF REPORT
Submitted photo
The fifth annual Carefree Christmas Festival includes three days worth of events beginning Dec. 7 and running through Dec. 9. The highlight of the weekend is the 6 p.m., Dec. 8 Electric Light Parade, which is followed by a fireworks show.
Annual Christmas pageant returns to Spur Cross STAFF REPORT
Cave Creek will once again host the annual Desert Foothills Christmas Pageant, an event drawing hundreds of spectators, this upcoming weekend. “The volunteer efforts of many people from our local communities result in the continuation of this fine tradition,” said Toby Payne, longtime supporter and organizer of the Pageant. Volunteers help pull off the event, which includes local youth and adults in the cast and choir, animal owners and the angels, played by Kiwanis Key Club members who set
Inside:
up the luminaria over the five-plus miles leading to the Pageant site at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. “A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who participated in prior years, especially the Town of Cave Creek for improving the site each year,” said Payne, who was recently named president of the Kiwanis Club of Carefree. The Desert Foothills Christmas Pageant was started by the local 4-H Club in Cave Creek in 1952, as a reenactment of the Christmas story showcasing the 4-H
PAGEANT
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Sports:
Boulder Creek basketball opens season tonight at home
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The town of Carefree will host the 5th annual Carefree Christmas Festival from Dec. 7 – 9 in downtown Carefree. The three-day holiday event, which has grown to become one of the largest Christmas events in the Valley, will feature an electric light parade, fireworks, real snow, live music, carolers and a Christmas gift and food market. All events are family friendly, free and open to the public. The Electric Light Parade is set for 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 and feature more than 60 lighted entries. Immediately following the parade, those in attendance
will be treated to the holiday fireworks extravaganza at 8 p.m. Parade attendees are encouraged to arrive early and bring lawn chairs to get a prime viewing spot. ABC15 Meteorologist Rich Dahlquist will emcee the holiday parade as it weaves its way along Easy Street, through downtown Carefree. This year, the Foothills Caring Corps organization will act as the grand marshal of the parade. The nonprofit organization, based in Carefree, provides services for the elderly throughout the greater NE Valley. Volunteers, staff and recipients of the organization which are referred
to as neighbors, will lead the parade that is expected to draw nearly 10,000 people. Real snow and Santa are the highlights of the Kid’s Zone at the festival. More than 25 tons of snow, a snow slide, bounce house and other activities are available for children of all ages. Santa will be available for photos throughout the event. Additional activities include a holiday street party with DJ Sarah Birkett running from 5 – 9 p.m. on Dec. 7, the Main Event Swing Time Band from 3:30 – 6 p.m. on Dec. 9, and other free concerts, a pet parade,
SEASON
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Strong turnout at Outlets kicks off holiday shopping MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Shortly after clearing the last remnants of their Thanksgiving Day feast from the table Wendy Twiggs, Taffery Lowrie and Tallona Dickson turned their attention to plotting out their shopping game plan. After starting, what they planned to be a marathon of shopping Thursday night and Friday morning by hitting the Anthem Walmart Twiggs and her two daughters were at the Outlets of Anthem for what is known as Moonlight Madness. Dickson, a Mesa resident, said the three hadn’t previously
SHOPPING
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GOVERNMENT:
Marc Buckhout/The Foothills Focus
Thousands of shoppers turned out Thursday night at the Outlets at Anthem for their annual event, Moonlight Madness. All stores were opened by 10 p.m. with a variety of deals being offered to entice holiday shoppers.
CHARity:
OTHER :
Anthem Community Council hosts final monthly meeting of 2012
Program lends hand to seniors during holiday season
• Editorial Page
• Service Directory
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• Classified Ads
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