Camp Verde Parks and Recreation is excited to announce an expanded Christmas Craft Bazaar and Parade of Lights! The expanded activities are being held on Saturday, December 9 in Downtown Camp Verde. New this year is Breakfast with Santa hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Camp Verde in the Redinger Ramada from 9:00a-11:00a at 75 E Hollamon Street with donations to benefit their programs for kids. During the breakfast the Kiwanis will be holding a free raffle for two kids' bicycles donated by Walmart of Cottonwood. Heaters will be running for an enjoyable December breakfast. The Craft Bazaar starts at 10:00a and ends at 4:00p with over 40 craft vendors and more! Vendors will be both inside and outside the Community Center Gym located at 51 E Hollamon Street.

Santa’s Workshop will take place in the kitchen just off the gym from 10:00a until the parade begins at 6:00p. Kids under 12 can make crafts to take home for free! Another new, fun event is the Gingerbread House Decorating Contest! Kids 5 and older can drop off a homemade Gingerbread House Friday night between 4 and 7 pm in the Gym. The competition will be judged by the public on the Gym’s stage during the Craft Bazaar on Saturday. Judging closes at 2:00p with the winners announced at 3:00p.

The Parade of Lights will travel down Main Street from ACE Hardware to the Camp Verde Feed Store starting at 6:00p. After the parade, Santa will visit with children and parents can take a photo before he heads back to the North Pole. Parks & Recreation has expanded their decorations including a Candy Cane Forest and Christmas Barnyard in the park next to the Historical Museum to enjoy while waiting for Santa.

This annual free event is a great way to begin the Holiday Season! Having breakfast with Santa, shopping for hand-crafted Christmas presents and décor, enjoying Santa’s Workshop with your children, and finishing the day with the Christmas Light Parade and visiting with Santa afterward is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit! Jackpot Ranch will be hosting a drop-off spot for new, un-wrapped children’s gifts or books to benefit the Toys for Tots program of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve during the celebrations.

Parade registration is still open and there is no fee to participate! The only requirement is that your entry has lights – the more the better! Lots of people decorate their truck, ATV, construction equipment, horses or a traditional float.

There are several ways to register. Register using the blue “Sign Up” button on our Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Facebook page, go to www.visitcampverde.com  under events or our Town web page at www.campverde.az.gov  and click on Program Registration under Parks & Rec. You can email Parks & Rec at [email protected].  One group of friends and neighbors has been in the parade since its inception over 20 years ago! Just remember, no Santa in the parade, as P&R will have Santa at the end of the parade.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page Town of Camp Verde Parks & Recreation for more information. Feel free to contact us at [email protected]  or 928-554-0820 Option #3.

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