Cold weather lessens crowd, but enthusiasm remains for tree lighting.

640-15-11-28-08WILLIAMS — The cold may have caused many to stay home for the Parade of Lights and tree lighting this year. The crowd that came, however, did not have cold spirits. Some attendees even came lit up themselves, this year.
640-15-11-28-09The air was bitter cold, this year, for the ceremonial tree lighting and Parade of Lights in Williams. Most of the crowd appeared after 6 p.m. to find spaces to view the parade. Some in the parade reported that there were many empty spaces, however, over previous years. Which is really too bad since the parade this year was better than last year.
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The Parade of Lights featured Churches, non-profits and businesses with beautifully lit floats. There were even a few classic cars that joined the parade from Flagstaff.
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Kiwanis also collecting warm pajamas for kids.

Kiwanis also collecting warm pajamas for kids.

The Kiwanis Club reminded visitors of their Toys for Kids campaign. They are also collecting warm pajamas for kids in need. You can find out more information at Williams Wear and Buck’s Place in the mall. St. Vincent de Paul joined St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Williams for their presentation.
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The event led up, of course, to the annual ceremonial Christmas Tree lighting on 2nd Street between The Gallery in Williams and Colors of the West. The lighting of the tree officially kicks of Mountain Village Holiday in the City of Williams.
Williams Mayor John Moore and Santa Clause countdown to the lighting of the tree with the crowd.

Williams Mayor John Moore and Santa Clause countdown to the lighting of the tree with the crowd.

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See more photos at our Facebook Page

Holiday Open House offers music, children’s activities, and more

FREDONIA — With Christmas tree permit sales now in full swing for the holiday season, the North Kaibab Ranger District will soon host a Holiday Open House.

Festivities will take place at the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center at Jacob Lake on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be holiday music, cider and treats available for all ages, an aspen-round ornament decorating activity for families, coloring pages for the kids, and of course tree permits for sale.

As a reminder, the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open for Christmas tree tag sales on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13.

Christmas tree tags may also be purchased at the district office in Fredonia from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 28 and Dec. 5.

For more information, call (928) 643-7395.

The stage is set for the Parade of Lights and tree lighting

640-Parade-KZBX-1WILLIAMS — The stage is set to kick of Mountain Village Holiday. KZBX 92.1 is broadcasting and the music is playing too loud. The parade begins in a little more than an hour.

If you are coming downtown, remember there is no parking on the parade route.

Williams ready for tree lighting and parade this weekend

Christmas-15-11-23-03WILLIAMS — Giant snowmen, toy soldiers, Nativity scenes and lights are springing up in Williams as the City moves into Mountain Village Holiday this weekend.

Events begin with the Holiday Craft Show from 10 a.m. 5 p.m. at the World Famous Sultana Theater. The Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express will run Friday the 27th through Sunday with special 3:30 matinee runs on Friday and Saturday.
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Mountain Village Holiday “The Songs of Christmas” Parade of Lights will run along Historic Route 66 starting at 6:30 p.m. Hot Chocolate will be provided by Pine Country Restaurant and there will be other family fun before the parade.
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The annual lighting of the Community Christmas Tree occurs right after the light parade featuring Santa and Mayor John Moore.

The annual series of Advent Concerts at St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran church on Second and Grant (next to the tree) begins this weekend also. They will present Lessons and Carols on Sunday, November 29 at 4 p.m. The free concerts continue on Sunday, December 6, 13 and the 20th. Each concert starts at 4 p.m. and features different performers each night. A reception is held following each concert.
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North Kaibab Ranger District Christmas tree permit update

FREDONIA — As a reminder, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is currently selling over-the-counter Christmas tree tags at both the district office in Fredonia and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, and all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit as part of the Every Kid in a Park (eKIP) initiative.

Specific dates and times for getting a Christmas tree permit for the North Kaibab Ranger District are as follows:

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13 for tag sales. The visitor center is located at the intersection of highways 89 and 67 in Jacob Lake and can be reached at (928) 643-7298.

The North Kaibab District office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, and on two Saturdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tag sales. The office is located at 430 S. Main St. in Fredonia and can be reached at 928-643-7395.

To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the North Kaibab Ranger District, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass. Additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass may be found at the official eKIP website.

For those not eligible for the fourth grade initiative, a $15 permit may be purchased.

All Christmas tree permit holders will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. North Kaibab Ranger District tag holders are authorized to cut a tree of any species that is less than 10 feet in height and within the designated cutting areas on the map provided. All sales are final, and no refunds will be made.
The Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest also have Christmas tree tags available. For detailed information on those tags as well as additional information on North Kaibab Ranger District tags, visit the Kaibab National Forest website.

Williams gets ready for the tree

640-1116-treeWILLIAMS — While snow fell, the City of Williams prepared for the reception of the annual Christmas tree on Second Street next to The Gallery in Williams. Williams received light snow throughout the day starting at about 9 a.m. while Flagstaff had already received a significant snowfall of at least 4″ overnight.

There were some reports of vehicles sliding on I-40, but no injury accidents.

The weather forecast shows snow before 8 p.m. tonight clearing up to mostly sunny tomorrow. The temperature will rise through the week to the upper 50s by Friday and lowering to mid-50s over the weekend. The temperatures in Flagstaff are expected to be about the same.

Spoiled Rotten has new stock in for winter

640-15-11-11-03WILLIAMS — Williams has already been hit with a cold blast and it isn’t winter yet. Spoiled Rotten Pet Boutique at 516 East Route 66 (near Goldies Route 66 Diner and I-40 Fleet Services) has stocked up on some winter wear for the pets. Until December 1 all non-food items are 30% off. They also just received a new line of crates. Along with the toys, winter wear and backpacks you are sure find something for the pet.
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Backpacks also available.

Backpacks also available.


Science Diet foods and treats also available. Food items are NOT 30% off.

Science Diet foods and treats also available. Food items are NOT 30% off.

Kaibab National Forest offers free Christmas tree permits to fourth graders

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest is pleased to announce that all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit, while supplies last, through the Every Kid in a Park initiative.

Every Kid in a Park is a nationwide call to action to build the next generation of conservationists. All fourth graders are eligible to receive a fourth grade pass that allows free access to federal lands and waters across the country for a full year.

In support of this initiative, the Forest Service is making available a free Christmas tree permit to every interested fourth grader with a fourth grade pass. For additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass, visit www.everykidinapark.gov.

In order to receive a free Christmas tree permit from the Kaibab National Forest, the fourth grader must be present with the fourth grade pass.

Contact information for each ranger district is as follows:

North Kaibab Ranger District, 430 S. Main St., Fredonia, AZ 86022; (928) 643-7395.
Tusayan Ranger District, 176 Lincoln Log Loop, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023; (928) 638-2443.
Williams Ranger District, 742 S. Clover Rd., Williams, AZ 86046; (928) 635-5600.

Visit the Kaibab National Forest website for additional information on Christmas tree permits.

Spooky happenings in Williams

Friday 2015-10-30 012WILLIAMS — Even before the ghosts and goblins began appearing on the streets for trick-or-treat, the Grand Canyon Railway made a scary transformation.

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Williams has put on its Polar Express face with the standard sleigh in the park and lights along the railway. They were even playing Christmas tunes.

The Polar Express begins running this Friday, November 6 on the weekends with some special runs over the Thanksgiving period. They will have several runs through December ending with a run on January 2nd and 3rd. This is the big event for the winter, in Williams, and tickets usually go fast. Make sure that you get your reservations made now.

The Grand Canyon Railway also asks families to submit photos for their annual photo contest. See their web site for details or ask before you board the train.

Kaibab National Forest to offer Christmas tree permits

WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will sell over-the-counter and through-the-mail Christmas tree tags on a first-come, first-served basis for each of its three ranger districts beginning Nov. 16 and continuing until they are sold out. While tags will start being sold Nov. 16, cutting of Christmas trees can’t begin until Nov. 20.

The $15 permit will allow the holder to cut a tree of a particular species that is not more than 10 feet in height within a designated area on the Kaibab National Forest from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24. No refunds will be made, even if weather conditions prevent access to cutting areas.

Individuals who purchase tags will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. The number of available tags and tree species, locations and hours for purchasing the permits, and contact information for each ranger district are as follows:

Christmas Tree-1 Individuals can also purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail by sending information to the mailing address of the ranger district they plan to visit. It is advisable to call the desired ranger district office in advance to ensure tags are still available. Individuals desiring to purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail should provide ample time for their permit to arrive. Expect a turnaround time of about 10 business days.

Please include the following with any request for a Christmas tree tag through the mail:

> A self-addressed, stamped envelope (Attn: Christmas Trees)
> A contact phone number
> A check payable to USDA Forest Service