Globe-Miami has so much fun in store over the next month - from First Friday and the 33rd Annual Festival of Lights at Besh Ba Gowah, Dec. 3-4, to Miami’s afternoon three-block party on Sullivan Street preceding Globe’s big Light Parade, Dec. 11. We will list helpful reminders of these and other public events around our communities. And if we’ve missed yours? Please email all the details to news@silverbelt.com to be considered for inclusion on this list. Here’s a synopsis of coming events:
* Dec. 3 First Friday on Broad Street Extended hours until 8 p.m. for holiday shopping in unique downtown stores, Christmas Karaoke hosted by X92.7’s DJ Shon, our growing food truck court, special discounts and unique menu items at participating stores and downtown restaurants. Find food trucks in the Old Dominion Parking Lot (corner of Broad and Sycamore Streets), along with vendors ranging from makers and bakers to artists. Our First Friday Classic Car Cruise returns, ending with a car show near the Historic Train Depot. Any business, vendor or food truck operator interested in participating in this free monthly event is welcome to call or text Melissa Steele at 928-200-0836, or email msteele@globeaz.gov.
* Dec. 4 Festival of Lights, Besh Ba Gowah Archaeological Park and Museum 5 - 9 p.m. One of Globe’s signature holiday season events, now in its 33rd year, this lovely night features 4,000 luminarias atop the rebuilt walls of this ancient pueblo. This popular Christmastime event includes outdoor cultural presentations, food and craft vendors. Free admission. Non-perishable food donations are appreciated to help support the Gila Community Food Bank. Please note that parking is limited; it’s much better to park in downtown Globe and ride the free shuttle service that continues all evening from the Historic Train Depot at 230 S. Broad St. in Globe.
* Dec. 10 Salute to Cattle Ranching Dinner, Dance & Auction Friday evening at the Apache Gold Casino. Tickets are just $35 per person, which includes a ribeye steak dinner and dancing to live music by Bob Bigando & the Tumbleweeds. No-host cocktails at 4 p.m., dinner at 5:30 p.m. and live auction follows. Space is limited. Tickets can be purchased from the Globe-Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce, (928)425-4495.
* Dec. 11 Downtown Miami three-block party Saturday afternoon on Sullivan Street from 1 - 5 p.m. (vendor setup from 12-1, event open to the public 1-4). Get your Sonoran hotdog fix from Gordo’s or a pulled pork plate from The Lunchbox while DJ Dacite Services provides music from classics to modern pop and country. Thoughtfully timed as a holiday season event on the afternoon leading into Globe’s big Christmas Light Parade, Sullivan Street downtown will be closed to motor vehicle traffic - allowing guests a safe place to walk, rollerblade, skateboard, create chalk art, dance, picnic, set up lawn chairs and enjoy street vendors, food trucks and live music. There is no vendor fee to set up and sell. Vendors are welcome to sign up, all that’s required is to complete and return a vendor application form in advance. To obtain one, email Phil Stewart at coolthings@stewartsnook.com, or call or text (480) 993-8611. Bring cash and your appetite, too! Food vendors include Gordo’s Sonoran Hotdogs, The Lunchbox, and the irresistible aroma of caramelized, just-slightly-and-oh-so-perfectly- burnt sugar wafting from Deb Yerkovich’s Cotton Candy Kids cart. Local restaurants will be open, too: Guayos El Rey, Burger House, and Jilbertos. Wild Horses Saloon will offer cold beer, creative cocktails and one-of-a-kind ambiance. Stop by the Jim Coates Gallery for a mix of art, homemade pastries or an artisan cup of cappuccino or hot chocolate. Check out unique stores such as Grandma’s Antiques, Miami Mercantile, Miami Rose, Stewart’s Antique Nook, My Mom’s House DZynes and Michael 23’s art galleries across from Miami Town Hall.
* Dec. 11 Read-On Express Saturday Old Train Depot on Broad Street in Globe from 12 - 4 p.m., with a new book for every child who attends - plus fun holiday season activities, even a train ride around the Old Train Depot property not to be missed! Many partners and volunteers collaborate to plan this event and make it a success; if your agency would like to participate, sponsor or have a booth at this event please email juliec@azyp.org or call Julie Craig at (928) 961-0426.
* Dec. 11 Globe Christmas Light Parade Saturday night at 6 p.m. Theme for this year’s parade is “Best Christmas Toys Ever.” Entry deadline is Dec. 8; make sure to get your application in for this big event co-sponsored by the Globe Downtown Association and City of Globe. Parade begins at 6 p.m., staging east of the historic district, starting near Globe Public Library and proceeding west on Broad Street all the way to Yuma Street. Come early to browse downtown stores and enjoy hot coffee, cocoa, fudge and more. Stroll through downtown to vote for your favorite window display, listen to carolers, enjoy the amazing musical talents on the CVCA bandstand and wait to see Santa himself at the end of the evening parade. Get parade applications at Cobre Valley Center for the Arts, Globe-Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the law office above CVS Pharmacy, or drop in the front-door mail slot at the 1910 Jail on Oak St. Entry deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. For more information, contact parade chair Willy Thomas at 928-200-5646; ggty44@yahoo.com; the GDA Office, 928-425-8111; the CVCA desk, 928-425-0884; or text/call GDA Mgr. Molly Cornwell at 480-345-7477.
* Dec. 18: Miami Small Town Christmas Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Miami Veterans Park, located in downtown Miami on Sullivan Street. This event is open to all children throughout our local communities - not just limited to children in Miami. Please donate new toys suitable for kiddos of all ages. Toy donations may be dropped off at the Miami Senior Center or the Miami Police Department. Organizers also welcome cash donations to make this event a wonderful memory for children to cherish. Cash donations can be made at the Miami Town Hall for Small Town Christmas or to Miami Genesis (501)(c)(3). Donations can be picked up in person if needed. Consider donating your Christmas decorations, too! Please do not throw any items out! Items can be picked up from any location, or dropped off at the Miami Senior Center or Miami Police Department. Anyone who’d like to volunteer or donate, please call Town of Miami Director of Community Services Christine J. Duarte at (928) 458-6373 or cduarte@miamiaz.gov.
* Dec. 19 Polar Express PJ Party in Globe Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1700 N. Broad St. Bring your kiddos for photos with Santa and his elves! Your littles will enjoy party games, prizes and snacks as the Polar Express plays in the courtyard. There’s holiday fun for adults, too, with eggnog, “Grinch Juice” and pics under the mistletoe. Event sponsors include Chapter One Wellness Center and Ms. Yevette Photography. Polar Express PJ Party $5/person at the gate; youngest kiddos, two years old and younger, free!
