b"IN 1989, THEN-GOVERNOR ROSE MOFFORD designated Prescott as Arizonas Christmas City because of their festive lighting ceremony. The festivities don't begin and end with just one event. Prescott celebrates from November through January with lights, music, and holiday festivities that include a gingerbread village, a musical showcase,and a frontier Christmas event.C hristmas celebrations and Prescott go waywander through the lights of the Courthouse back. Prescotts quaint downtown makes thePlaza on a random winter weekend or weeknight north-central Arizona community a naturalas it is to attend the big lighting event.for Christmas cheer. Even before Arizona became a state in 1912, and the little mining town of PrescottPRESCOTTS 40 THANNUAL was determined to celebrate the holiday, reportedlyCHRISTMAS PARADEstaging Christmas Eve gatherings at the townsIn the afternoon before the Courthouse Lighting, courthouse as early as the 1860s and 1870s. a long line of festive floats, marching bands, and walking groups, made up of kids and pets, will 68 THANNUAL parade through the downtown streets for the COURTHOUSE LIGHTING 40th Annual Prescott Christmas Parade. The The Courthouse Lighting takes place annually onparade begins at 1 pm and ends with the arrival the first Saturday of December. As dusk falls onof Santa on his festive float.the evening of the lighting, all eyes turn towardpassing in 1955, be dedicated to the promotion of the Yavapai County Courthouse for a Christmas34 THANNUAL ACKER NIGHTmusic in the town, especially for children.program of carols and readings. It is all a prelude toMUSICAL SHOWCASEthe nights main eventthe flipping of the switchMany towns have Christmas parades and lights,In 1988, Prescott resident LaVon Anderson who to turn on the thousands of twinkling lights. Alongbut Prescott has a unique event known towas also a strong advocate of children's music with the decorations that are on the courthouselocals as Acker Night. It is a not-to-be-missedcame up with a plan to combine the promotion of building itself, the lighting also features dozensgathering on the streets and in the businesses ofmusic and Prescott's historic downtown together of lit-up trees that surround the courthouse.downtown that is produced solely by volunteers.in a memorable Christmas event. The J.S. Acker Admission is free.Acker Night was created to fulfill the wishes ofMusical Showcase, as she called it, was a success. benefactor and Prescott businessman, James S.Today, the event features 100 plus downtown Although the Courthouse Lighting happens inAcker who once sold school and music suppliesPrescott businesses with more than 100 musicians early December, the decorations remain in placeto local children from his general store. He wasand performers all playing, singing, and dancing through mid-January, making the lights a nearlydetermined to see that part of his estate, after hisin the shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as month-and-a-half-long attraction in downtownon the streets. It takes place the Friday after the Prescott. Rest assured it is nearly as magical toCourthouse Lighting. The event brings a buzz to downtown unlike any other. It is especiallybeloved because it raises funds for art andmusic scholarships.Acker Night is simply magical. All the businesses, restaurants, hotels, and saloons throw their doors open to the public and host different groups of musicians. As crowds of people fill the streets, they go from business to business to explore whats inside. Friday, December 9, 5 pm-8:30 pm. AckerNight.comGINGERBREAD VILLAGEOften billed as Arizonas largest gingerbread display, the Gingerbread Village at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center has been a Prescott tradition for nearly three decades. The village features wonderful creations that depict everything from traditional homes to groups of gnomes to a 24 December 2022"