Carefree Truth

Issue #205, December 6, 2012

 

 

 

Joanne Gemmill addressed the Council about the preparation and implementation of the 5th annual Carefree Christmas Festival, which is being held this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. She said when it began, it was a tiny acorn but that it has grown into a mighty Oak. The Town is preparing to host around 30,000 people for the Festival this year. She thanked the Town, her Christmas Festival Committee, and the many other volunteers who contributed both labor and money, including the 25 Sheriff's Posse members who are donating their time to keep things running smoothly.

 

 

 

The Festival is funded by a partnership between the Town and local businesses. This year, over 80 chose to participate, demonstrating an ever increasing enthusiasm for Carefree's signature event. Large donations of cash and in-kind donations from corporate sponsors include $7500 from APS, $6000 from BMO/Harris Bank, $6000 from the Carefree Resort and Conference Center, and $1500 from the U.S. Plumbers and Steamfitters. The combined individual and business donations bring this year's total to over $30,000, up from $23,000 last year. The sponsors are printed on two banners located in the Gardens, are listed on the website at www.carefreechristmasfestival.com, and will be listed on a full page ad in the Scottsdale Republic the weekend before Christmas, keeping Carefree and our donors in the public eye.

 

 

 

Mrs. Gemmill pointed out that this event is community driven, including the schools, the boy scouts and girl scouts, churches, non-profits, businesses, and residents. The Foothills Caring Corps. will act as Grand Marshall in the Parade of Lights on Saturday night, and several non-profits are availing themselves of the opportunity to utilize the Festival for fundraising activities, which provides a venue for Carefree to give back to these organizations that do so much for our community, with no direct cost to the Town.

 

 

 

Kim Prince, of Proven Media, provided the PR using a mixed media approach. The Festival will be receiving TV coverage from Fox 10, ABC 15, and Channels 3 & 5. Daphne Monroe's show "Smart Shopper" will air a segment on Channels 5 & 15. There will be a TV "pre-event" segment filmed on Friday morning, starting at 7:30 AM. Everyone is invited, so come to the Gardens tomorrow morning for the taping. You just may get to see yourself on TV!

 

 

 

Early ads have been appearing in newspapers since November. Press releases have appeared prominently in the Arizona Republic, the City Sun Times, the Foothills Focus, and the Sonoran News, and the Festival was featured in the glossy magazine Images AZ. New this year is a Facebook page, which has gone viral. The Christmas Festival website, www.carefreechristmasfestival.com, has already had over 23,000 hits. Mrs. Gemmill thanked Kim Prince for her work, and she again thanked the Town and the many volunteers who make the Festival the smashing success that it has become.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vglUzOAX4mo&list=UUiL9eWRuc6rwuZa0Lhi9AbQ&index=1

 

 

 

There will be 30 tons of real snow at the Kid's Zone, which will also include Santa's Grotto, Santa's Mail Box, and on Saturday, Story Time with Mrs. Clause, presented by the Desert Foothills Library, from 1-2 PM. A Kiddie Train will run between Easy Street and the Carefree Market Place (the Bashas Center). Throughout the weekend, there will be dancers and live music in the amphitheater, sponsored by BMO/Harris Bank, and wandering carolers. A gift market with over 100 vendors and food stands will be located in the Gardens. There will be late night shopping and merchant parties on Friday night, featuring D.J. Sarah Birkett. A variety of Nativity Scenes can be viewed throughout the Los Portales Mall, with monetary donations benefiting the Foothills Food Bank. A decorated tree will be available for silent auction bids.

 

 

 

The highlight of the 3 day weekend occurs on Saturday night. The Electric Parade of Lights, beginning at 6 PM, is sponsored by the Carefree Resort. This year, there will be over 50 lighted floats, including one from Russ-Lyon Realty that will feature a full representation of Whoville. Celebrity MCs will provide commentary. At 8 PM, the fireworks show, sponsored by APS, will commence, and it promises to be even bigger and better than last year's, which was spectacular.

 

 

 

Sunday is going to the dogs. And cats. At 10-12:30 AM a Pet Parade will take place, so dress your pets in their holiday finery and walk the walk. Registration starts at 9 AM. After the parade, a variety of goodies will be for sale at the "doggie market", provided by Foothills Animal Rescue, and pets will be available for adoptions . Santa will pose for photos with your pets. All donations benefit FAR.

 

 

 

So, come on out and join the fun! Let the Christmas spirit flow. Ho, Ho, Ho!

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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