Free Flagstaff Fun: 13th Annual Parade of Lights

Put on the coats, hats, scarves and mittens and head out to Flagstaff's 13th Annual "Northern Lights Parade" on Saturday, December 10th. The parade includes bands and floats all covered in twinkling lights. The fun begins at 6pm. The parade goes through the traditional downtown route. For more info contact the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce at 928-774-4505.

Free Family Fun: Flagstaff's Little America holiday lights display

This Saturday, start your winter holidays with free family fun at the Little American Flagstaff.
Every year they put up more than one million outdoor lights for a holiday light display like none other in town.
This year they're having an old-fashioned holiday celebration with strolling carolers, performances by local choirs and free cookies and cider. Plus - Santa will be there, as always, to flip the lights switch.
This free event starts at 3pm Saturday, November 26, 2011. The lights will be on every night through the holiday season for everyone to stroll through at their leisure.

Free Flagstaff Fun: Santa comes to the Little America

Santa is coming to town... at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff.
The two Sundays before Christmas (December 11th and 18th) Santa will be at the Little America from 8-10am where children can come visit with him and make their Christmas requests - for free. Perfect photo opp of the holidays! Take a free tour of the lights on the hotel grounds too while you're there.

Free family fun: Flagstaff's Winter Wonderland Celebration

Here's a free fun activity my family enjoys every year... Flagstaff Recreation Service's Winter Wonderland Celebration.

This free event is fun for the whole family. It takes place on Friday, Dec 2nd from 6:30-8:00pm at Heritage Square.

In conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk, the tree will be lit at 6:30pm then crafts and visits with Santa. NAU lights their tree at 6:00pm. 

For more info, call Flag Rec Services at (928) 213-2300.

Halloween dance performance for the whole family

Canyon Movement Company is putting on their second annual Halloween dance performance this weekend.
Last year's shows sold out!  I'm told the family matinee will be "less scary" for the kiddos, so that would be a great show to attend!  Plus, it's another excuse to wear those great costumes!
Everyone in costume gets $1 off!
Tickets are $7 or #5 for students for the family matinee, which is this Saturday, October 29th at 3:30pm at Coconino High School's Mini Auditorium in Flagstaff.

Free family fun: Flagstaff's free Halloween Harvest

Get ready for what my family considers Flagstaff's funnest annual event: the Halloween Harvest!
On Halloween (Monday, October 31, 2011), dress your family up and head downtown to Heritage Square(6 E. Aspen). The party runs from 4-7pm with carnival games, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, spooky music (but never scary), library activities and a costume contest. There's also a free Trick or Treat trail around Flagstaff's downtown businesses that is not to miss!
For older kids, there's free haunted downtown tours that leave every half hour.
This event was voted most outstanding community event in 2009 by AZ Parks and Rec Association - for good reason! It's a one more way to enjoy this great community we live in!

Grand Canyon Railways' Polar Express now taking reservations

Grand Canyon Railway has changed the times for its popular Polar Express runs and is accepting reservations.
This year’s nightly Polar Express runs will depart at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday matinees will depart at 3:30 p.m. on select dates. In previous years the nightly runs departed at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Grand Canyon Railway will offer runs this year Nov. 11, 2011 through Jan. 7, 2012. Saturday matinees will run Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 10 and 17, 2011.

Reservations can be made online at www.thetrain.com or by calling 1-888-848-3511.
Closely following The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, this nighttime trip from the Grand Canyon Railway depot in Williams travels through the starlit wilderness to the “North Pole” and features a special reading of The Polar Express while passengers enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. The “North Pole,” a Christmas light village, was recently renovated with enhanced lighting and the addition of features such as storefronts, mailboxes and other structures to give the village a more permanent and three-dimensional look and feel. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers are welcomed by Santa Claus and Elf Bernard before Santa boards the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. Santa makes his way through the passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift – a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus. The round-trip journey is a little more than an hour in length.

Most evenings the Grand Canyon Railway offers two trains. The Grand Canyon Railway will also offer a Charity Train at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 11 with free tickets for non-profit organizations. To download an application to be part of this year’s Charity Train visit www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html. The “Christmas Eve Limited,” departing at 8 p.m., includes special gifts from Santa that are not included during other excursions.
Individual tickets for the train rides other than the Christmas Eve Limited are $30 for adults and $20 for children ages two to 15. Rates for the special Christmas Eve Limited are $60 for adults and $40 for children ages two to 15. Matinee rates are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages two to 15.
The Grand Canyon Railway also offers a Polar Express Package including the roundtrip train excursion, a one-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and breakfast and dinner at the Grand Depot Café. The package price for two adults and two children starts at $341 and does not include taxes.
Polar Express reservations can be made by calling 1-888-848-3511 or by visiting www.thetrain.com/polar-express-5679.html. For more information about the Grand Canyon Railway or to purchase other tickets or packages visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-The-Train (1-800-843-8724).
Read my experience on The Polar Express HERE. 




Santa photo above courtesy Grand Canyon Railway

Flagstaff Children’s Music and Arts Festival

The Flagstaff Children’s Music and Arts Festival is coming back for its fourth year.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August, 20^th from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Wheeler Park (212 W. Aspen Ave.).  The Children's Music and Arts Fest was voted 2009’s Most Outstanding Cultural Event from Arizona Parks and Recreation Association. The family-friendly event celebrates the artistic potential of all youth in our community. 

In addition to dance and music performances, children can make recycled arts projects, participate in the instrument petting zoo, make their own musical instrument, and learn to paint, draw and create sculptures.  There will be a Kiddie Caboose, two bounce houses, a climbing wall, carnival games, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Library Bookmobile and Rock Band, food vendors and other fun things to do. 

Most activities are free!  A $3.00 wristband can be purchased for unlimited rides on the Kiddie Caboose, bounce house and climbing wall.

For more information call 213-2300 or visit flagstaff.az.gov/recreation.  

Contest opens for kids to imagine a car-free Flagstaff

"Imagine Flagstaff without cars" is the theme of the youth art and essay contest in celebration of World CarFree Day Sept. 22. The contest, in support of the second annual CarFreeFlag Day is open to all Coconino County residents ages 9-18.
For more contest info, visit carfreeflag.com/contest.

Gymnastics camp set for July 25-29 in Flagstaff

Flagstaff's Summit Gymnastics is having another camp for kids 5 and up.
SGA's competitive teams' coaching staff will run the camp the week of July 25th - 29th from 9:00-1:00. This is a gymnastics intensive camp designed to increase strength and flexibility and learn new skills. This opportunity is available to boys and girls all levels ages 5 and up.
Cost is $90 with an $8.50 registration/t-shirt fee for the week and an additional $40 to stay  for the rest of the day camp. Call them at 928-526-0644 for more info or to register.