Photo: The Prescott Fire Department’s entry in the Holiday Light Parade
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week, and perhaps had a chance to participate in Small Business Saturday. We also launched the Christmas celebrations with the 27th Annual Holiday Light Parade and the Bonfire Festival last Saturday as well.
Thank you to the Prescott Downtown Partnership for hosting these events.
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I am very pleased that we were able to give our hardworking City staff time to enjoy Thanksgiving and the related festivities with their families and friends.
City offices and related services have now reopened and are operating under a normal schedule for this week.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank our first responders, who frequently have to cover shifts even during the holidays in order to maintain a safe community.
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Prescott is “Arizona’s Christmas City,” and this weekend we will celebrate with a couple of our most iconic events. Saturday, The 42nd Annual Christmas Parade starts at 1 PM and wraps around downtown Prescott with about 130 entries for the entire family to enjoy. The theme this year is, “Heroes of the Holidays.” Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the end of the parade and stick around for photos until about 5 PM.
You’ll want to stay just a little longer for the Annual Courthouse Lighting Event. There will be music performances starting at 5 PM, and the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible followed by the actual Lighting Ceremony taking place at 6 PM.
I want to thank the Prescott Chamber of Commerce for all their efforts in bringing such wonderful events to our community. And thank you to the Friends of the Jersey Lilly for their incredible fundraising efforts to bring these events and lighting of over 80 trees to the courthouse plaza again this year.
Many other events are scheduled throughout the month, including Acker Night, the German Christmas Market, called Christkindl, and the Whiskey Row New Year’s Eve Boot Drop. Each offers an enchanting experience only offered in Prescott, providing visitors and residents alike the opportunity to indulge in the joyous spirit of the season.
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The City Council is holding a retreat to plan for the upcoming year at the Highlands Center for Natural History tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3rd at 9 AM and Wednesday, December 4th at 9 AM. These retreat meetings are open to the public, but they will not be live-streamed or videoed.
Council does not meet again for regular meetings until Tuesday, December 10th. Council agendas are published the Thursday prior to the meetings.
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This is a light week for most City matters. Wednesday, December 4th, the Mayor’s Veterans Commission meets at 9 AM at the Grace Sparks Activity Center.
Also on Wednesday, December 4th, the Workforce Housing Committee will meet here in Council Chambers at 10 AM.
Next Monday, December 9th, will be the Pedestrian, Bicycle & Traffic Committee meeting at 9:30 AM in the Public Works Conference Room on Virginia Street.
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I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate Sergeant Ben Scott on his retirement after a 36 year career in law enforcement. Twenty-eight of those years have been dedicated to serving the Prescott Police Department.
Sergeant Scott’s commitment, dedication, humor and heart will be sorely missed by the Prescott Police Department and the community at large, I want to wish him the very best as he begins this new chapter of his life. Thank you Ben.
I’d also like to recognize Dawn Musil, who is the Victim Advocate for the Prescott Police Department. Dawn has been with the Police Department for 20 years. Her compassion and dedication have made the Prescott Police Department a stronger organization and a more valued resource for the community.
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Just because the temperatures are cooler, don’t make the mistake of thinking that we are out of fire season.
In Prescott, fire season is 365 days a year, complete with associated risks. Several days ago, our Fire Crews were dispatched to the scene of a small wildland fire in the wash near the Frys shopping center on Willow Creek Road.
I am thankful to report that they were able to contain the fire quickly.
As a reminder, please use caution when in or near areas prone to wildfires. Be mindful of fire safety, especially during dry conditions, and report any signs of smoke or fire immediately to 911.
Also, it’s a great time to make sure all your smoke alarms are working. We all need to do our part to keep our homes, neighborhoods and community safe this holiday season and throughout the year.
