Light parade features glittery floats
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More than 50 floats glided down Main Street and then around to Seventh Street Saturday night during the Magic of Christmas holiday light parade sponsored by CableOne.
The Downtown Association decided to embrace the spirit of giving this year by donating the winners’ awards to local organizations or charities of their choice, according to event organizer Rick Nations. The following are the winners and awards for the 10th annual event.
• Judges award — Discovery Plus Academy, $500.
• Downtown Association Award — Graham County Highway Department, $300.
• Best Interpretation of Theme — City of Safford Utilities Department, city of Safford Public Works and the Arizona Department of Transportation, $200.
• Family — The Studley family, $100.
• Small Business — City Electric Supply, $100.
• Large Business — Home Depot, $100.
• Nonprofit — Graham County 4-H, $100.
• Grande Trucks — Altech Refrigeration, $100.
“There are so many in need this year,” Nations told the Courier.
This inspired the committee and, it appears, many of the float creators, who made this year one of the best ever.
Danny Smith, Safford councilor and Downtown Association member, is still amazed at the growth of the event.
Ten years ago, the parade consisted of a martian, a man on a bicycle and the police. “They didn’t even close down Main Street,” he said, laughing. Now, 10 years later, not only has the event grown in number but also in heart.
Smith thanked the city’s special events crew, which sets and cleans up the Downtown area before and after events of this nature. Nations thanked all of the parade participants for their hard work and patience during the cold event.
