The first Hometown Christmas Parade started at 10 a.m. Dec. 7 in downtown Glendale. Inspired by members of the community who longed to celebrate the true reason for Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ, the Hometown Christmas Parade invited individuals, churches and businesses across the Valley to represent their local communities by entering floats, marching bands, singing groups, cheer squads, or even dancing grannies, utilizing themes that encompass the true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

The first Glendale Hometown Christmas Parade brings a crowd
By Bette Sharpe - Glendale Daily Planet

Saturday, December 7, 2013

The Hometown Christmas Parade was the first one of what may become an annual event.
Mayor Jerry Weiers stated "The Parade was even better than we had anticipated and we look forward to even a larger event Nest Year."

The attractions included a live nativity, pictures with Santa, crafts and a non-perishable food collection drive for Hope for Hunger. Grandstand announcers: Al McCoy, voice of the Phoenix Suns and Greg Schulte, Voice of the Arizona Diamondbacks; 58th & Glendale Announcer: Mike Broomhead of KFYI.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3520.

Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers served at the Grand Marshal for the first Glendale Hometown Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7. Parade co-Chairs: Dr. Walt Kallestad & Don Mellon.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3539

U. S. Congressman Trent Franks and family.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3492.

The Arizona Outreach Arena entry in the Hometown Christmas Parade now has a banner.

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3572.

The last finishing touches to the Desert Hope float are added. The float will be one of many parading down Glendale Avenue in the very first Hometown Christmas Parade in downtown Glendale.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no.  3560

After the last finishing touches to the Desert Hope float, it is ready to roll.  The float was one of many parading down Glendale Avenue in the very first Hometown Christmas Parade in downtown Glendale.

 

 

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3591.

Hunger knows no holiday. A non-perishable food collection for a Hope for Hunger food bank was one of the focal points of the first ever Hometown Parade in downtown Glendale.

 

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 3547.

Adams Traditional Academies Marching Band on Glendale Avenue on Saturday morning, December 7. The parade started at 10:00 a. m. at 52nd and Glendale Avenues and continued down Glendale Avenue to 58th Avenue.

parade entries 

Air Evac and HALO - Helicopter Flyover 
388 Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Color Guard 
Grand Marshal Mayor Jerry Weiers 
Hope for Hunger 
Community Church of Joy Celebration Choir 
Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) 
Vice-Mayor Yvonne J. Knaack, Barrel District 
Fighting Eagles Cheerleaders from Adams Traditional Academy 
Adams Traditional Academies Marching Band 
Cub Scout Pack 436 
Councilmember Many Martinez, Cholla District 
Desert Hope Wesleyan Church 
American Legion Ladies 
Councilmember Norma Alvarez, Ocotillo District 
Independence High School Drumline & NJROTC Programs 
Childrens Culinary Institute 
Councilmember Ian Hugh - Cactus District 
Glendale DeMolay 
Knights of Columbus #3855 
Councilmember Sammy Chavira, Yucca District 
Camelback Community Church 
Phoenix Coyotes Cheerleaders & Howler 
Arizona Search, Track and Rescue 
Councilmember Gary Sherwood, Sahuaro District 
Cactus Trails Neighborhood Girl Scouts 
Atonement Lutheran Church & School 
Rev. John Ssegawa, A.J. of St. Helen's Catholic Church 
Family Life Assembly of God 
Our Lady of Perpetual H~lp Catholic Church & School 
Glendale Firefighter Tradkless Train 
St. Louis the King 
Girl Scouts Troop 1308 I 
Discount Cab, The Flamer 
West Valley Conservator~ of Ballet 
American Legion Palriof 
Arizona Blues Company 
Ronald McDonald 
The Glendale Youth Project 
1-800-BOARDUP 
Community Church of Jqy 
Jazzy Poms 
Gentry / Feller Family I 
Grace Lutheran School 
Community Church of Joy - Marriage Ministry 
Grand Canyon University - Christmas Carolers 
Grand Canyon University - Cheer Team & Dance Line 
Krispy Creations 
Girl Scout Troop 176 and Troop 441 
First United Methodist Church of Glendale 
Developmental Enrichment Center 
Don & Janet Coldiron, 1965 Chevy EI Camino 
Girl Scout Troop 1394 
Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors 
Apollo High School I 
9 Fun Fun 
Glendale North Stake, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
Girl Scouts Sunflower-Ridge Neighborhood 
Bourgade High School 
Gospel 860 AM 
Community Church of Joy Bethlehem Train 
Glendale Rotary Club & Glendale High School Interact Club 
Glendale High School 
Girl Scout Troop 1268 
Drawn to Comics 
Glendale Police Explorers 
Southwest Civil War Association (SWCWA) 
Hickman's Family Farm 
Salvation Army Band 
GFWC Glendale Woman's Club 
Joy Christian School Bus 
Kingdom of the Valley Christian Church 
Glendale Fire Department 
Arrowhead Hospital 
Missionary Chapel 
Word of Life Lutheran Church & Preschool 
Our Lady of Perpetual Help School Student Council 
Phoenix Model A Car Club 
St. Helen's Roman Catholic Church - Glendale 
Cub Scouts, Troop 765 from Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints 
SRP Electric Vehicles 
New Life Community Church 
Thrivent Play it Again Band 
EI Zaribah Shrine 
Santa Claus on a Glendale Fire Truck 
The 3 Wise Men and the EI Zaribah Shrine Camels 
Hometown Christmas Parade Live Nativity

 

 

 

GLENDALE GLITTERS THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON

WITH SPECIAL EVENTS THREE WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER

The holiday magic continues in downtown Glendale Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 6-21, from 6-10 p.m. each night, with 1.5 million dazzling lights, free admission and fun for the whole family.

One special aspect of each weekend will be luminarias on several blocks throughout both Old Towne and the Catlin Court Historic District. In all, the trail of luminarias will measure about one mile and feature about 1,250 luminarias. The luminaries will be lit each weekend event night, Dec. 6-21, 6-10 p.m. This new feature is sponsored by the Glendale Civic Pride Ambassadors.

Spirit of Giving Weekend, Dec. 6-7

Glendale’s Spirit of Giving Weekend will celebrate and showcase numerous community organizations and non-profits that make a positive difference in the lives of Valley residents. This is an opportunity to make the public aware of the different organizations serving our communities, and show appreciation for the important roles they play while improving the quality of life here in Glendale and the surrounding areas.

Visitors are encouraged to bring donated items to Spirit of Giving weekend. The city is again partnering with the St. Mary’s Food bank for a food drive, and this year Valley Metro will be bringing out its special holiday-themed bus for everyone to “Stuff the Bus” with non-perishable food to help families around the Valley. The Glendale Fire Department will also be collecting unwrapped toys onsite for its annual Toy Drive. Children can climb in and experience a lighted, 1960 Coast fire truck on Friday evening. In addition, the weekend will be highlighted by wonderful food and beverages, including gourmet food trucks, children’s activities including make-and-take crafts. A new element to this year’s themed weekends is Crazy Shotz, an interactive photo booth. Participants can take holiday photos, using various props/backdrop. The holiday movie that will be showcased on the large screen in the park will be “Arthur Christmas,” playing at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. each night.

Winter Wonderland Weekend, Dec. 13-14

Winter Wonderland Weekend’s big focus will be on snow! Two snowfields, one for big kids and one for the little ones, will delight children and make great photo opps for mom and dad. The event will also feature several activities for the whole family including a petting zoo, pony rides, visits with Santa, face painting, a rock wall, kids inflatables and rides. This weekend will also feature the favorite holiday classic movie “Elf,” with free showings on a big screen at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. both nights.

Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights, Dec. 20-21

Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights is all about the music and rockin’ out! Fun entertainment will include energetic dance performances on the Amphitheatre Stage and the Glendale Union High School District Vocal Ensemble Showcase. Desert Dixie will be performing in the park on Friday night, and Saturday night will feature In2ition, performing an array of music featuring Pop/Top 40, R&B, Soul, and Disco. Of course, the event will also feature a great selection of food and beverages, including gourmet food trucks, kids inflatable rides, pony rides and visits with Santa Claus.

Glendale’s December Weekends are produced by Glendale’s Office of Special Events. Sponsors for each weekend event include APS, Cerreta Candy Company, The Arizona Republic, ABC15, Squirt, Sunkist, 7-UP, Sears Vacations, Valley Buick-GMC, Credit Union West, KMLE, KOOL, JAMZ, Phoenix Coyotes, Camelback Ranch-Glendale and Glendale Community College.

Additional event information is available at www.glendaleaz.com/events or on the Special Event Hotline at 623-930-2299.

Sun City Neighborhood Lights Up to Benefit Local Food Bank

The Sun City Concord Avenue neighborhood will be aglow with hundreds of luminaries on Christmas Eve, December 24 from dusk until 10 p.m. The public is invited to explore the beauty of the light display. The luminary display spans nearly one mile in length starting from 99^th Avenue to 103^rd Avenue on Concord Avenue (south of Peoria Avenue) in Sun City. Admission is free and new this year, attendees are asked to donate non-perishable food items to benefit the Hope for Hunger Food Bank.

The Hope For Hunger Food Bank is based in Glendale and serves residents in the West Valley. The food bank opened in May 2012 and since opening has served 545,000 tons of food to 17,000 families feeding more than 61,000 men, women, and children. Food collection boxes will be located throughout the area.

The neighborhood has been displaying luminaries since 2009. More than a dozen neighbors coordinate the efforts and meet weeks prior to assemble and deliver the bags. Each home receives a supply of luminaries to display along their driveway and front sidewalks. “Every year we look forward to coming together as a community to share in the holiday spirit and provide a memorable experience for our residents and visitors. We are especially thrilled this year to incorporate a food drive to assist our West Valley neighbors” said Marilou Zomok, Event Co-Chairperson.

For more information, call 623-930-2955. To learn more about the Hope for Hunger Food Bank, visit www.HopeForHungerFB.org.

 

Light in the Darkness

Sun City, AZ, December 15, 2013: 
Saint Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church invites you to join us at 3pm for
our annual Christmas Concert, Light in the Darkness. 
Experience the Light of Christ through song and music. A full choir
and bell choir offers glorious voices for your delight. 
Enjoy classical pieces such as the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s
Messiah, Christmas carols, as well as contemporary pieces. 
Tickets $10 each with proceeds supporting the music program.