News Release APS Electric Light Parade Fire Truck

PHOENIX – It’s the time of year for festive cheer and communities across the state, along with Arizona Public Service (APS), are lighting up the season with holiday-themed parades and events, including the APS Electric Light Parade (ELP) – back for its 38th year in Central Phoenix.   

APS Electric Light Parade – Let it Glow! 
The APS Electric Light Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. The family-friendly, free event begins its 2.3 mile route  at Central Ave. and Montebello Ave., travels south to Camelback Rd., heads east along Camelback Rd. to 7^th St., and continues south along 7^th St. to Indian School Rd.

Spectators will see colorful holiday floats and stunning light displays from local businesses and organizations, all embracing this year’s theme, ‘Let it Glow!’ Leading the way as Grand Marshal is Make-A-Wish® Arizona, spotlighting co-founder Linda Pauling and wish kid alumni whose wishes have been granted by the chapter.

45 years ago, Linda and a group of volunteers started Make-A-Wish Arizona after her son, 7-year-old Chris Greicius, who was battling leukemia, expressed one heartfelt wish: to be a police officer. With the help of the community and Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), Chris received an official DPS uniform, helped with traffic stops and soared above the city in a DPS helicopter for a day. Chris passed away just days later, but his wish sparked a movement that became Make-A-Wish Arizona.

Today, Make-A-Wish Arizona continues to change lives by granting wishes of children with critical illnesses, bringing hope, strength, and joy to families across the state. In the past fiscal year, the organization granted a record-breaking 476 life-changing wishes.

For information about the parade and helpful tips, visit phoenix.gov/ELP.

Holiday Parades Across Arizona
Additionally, over the next six weeks, APS employees throughout APS’s service territory will volunteer with local organizations to spread holiday cheer at the following parades and festivals: 

Northern Arizona 

• Nov. 22: Winslow Christmas Parade
• Nov. 27-Dec. 30: Prescott Valley of Lights
• Nov. 29: Williams Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade
• Nov. 29: Prescott Holiday Parade and Bonfire Festival
• Dec. 4: Prescott 9^th Annual Grand Marshal Gala
• Dec. 5: Sedona Christmas Tree Lighting at Tlaquepaque
• Dec. 5: Chino Valley Light Parade
• Dec. 6: Cottonwood 71^st Annual Christmas Parade
• Dec. 6: Prescott 43^rd Annual Christmas Parade and 71^st Annual Courthouse Lighting
• Dec. 6: Show Low Light Parade
• Dec. 6: Prescott Valley Winter Spectacular
• Dec. 6: Ash Fork Community Lighting and Parade
• Dec. 13: Holbrook Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Payson Winter Wonderland and Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights
• Dec. 13: Camp Verde Light Parade – Christmas Magic on Main
• Dec. 16: Seligman Light Parade 

Central Arizona 

• Nov. 29: Tempe Fantasy of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting
• Dec. 1: Gilbert Water Tower Holiday Lighting
• Dec. 6: Phoenix APS Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 6: El Mirage Winterfest & Parade
• Dec. 6: Buckeye Christmas Tree Lighting (Verrado neighborhood)
• Dec. 8: Town of Gila Bend Light Parade
• Dec. 12: Wickenburg Holiday Parade
• Dec. 12: Superior Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Globe Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Litchfield Christmas in the Park
• Dec. 13: Buckeye’s Glow on Monroe Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 14: Glendale Hometown Christmas Parade  

Southern Arizona 

• Nov. 29: Ken and Betty Borland Holiday Pageant and Tower Lighting (Yuma)   
• Dec. 6: Casa Grande Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 5: Florence Hometown Holiday Parade
• Dec. 12: Coolidge Christmas Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Eloy Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 13: Yuma Dorothy Young Electric Light Parade
• Dec. 19: Somerton Light Parade
• Dec. 19 & 20: Yuma Christmas at the Crossing

To learn about other ways APS is making an impact in Arizona, visit aps.com/community.