Member of Williams Christmas Carol in the cold

Carole15-12-17-11WILLIAMS — Last night about twenty citizens of the Williams community braved the cold to spread Christmas carols. If they had waited just one more day, it would have been a much warmer night.Carole15-12-17-09Kids and adults still seemed in good spirits as they headed off to share the joy of the season in song.Carole15-12-17-12

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Last Advent Concert next Sunday

640-advent15-12-13-01WILLIAMS — The Advent Concert Sunday was a beautiful mix of voices from St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Occasionally it included the voices of the guests who joined in for some of the songs.

The music was directed by George Albers and included the combined voices of Father’s Marc McDonald of St. John’s and Kilian McCaffery on O Holy Night.

The music was a mix of old gospel favorites from around the world with a few contemporary songs.
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A reception was held after hosted by Sally Burcham.
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The last free Advent Concert will be Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m.

Only two more Advent concerts left for the season

advent-concert-15-12-12-10WILLIAMS — There are only two more free Advent concerts at St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church this season. The Church is located at 202 W. Grant Street next to the Williams City Christmas Tree.

The next concert is this Sunday at 4 p.m. The choirs of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and St. John’s will join together in a selection of Christmas favorites. If Reverend Marc McDonald is there to sing, you won’t want to miss it.

The last concert will be Sunday, December 20 at 4 p.m. It will feature guest musicians Anthony Flesch on the flute and Joel Rieck on acoustic guitar.

St. John’s hosts a reception after each concert. The concerts are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

St John’s Advent concerts great entertainment

Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

WILLIAMS — The celebration of the lighting of the tree in Williams did not stop on Saturday. On Sunday at 4 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church began their annual series of Advent concerts.
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The series started with the choir from St. John’s led by George Albers. The choir consisted of Annie Albers, Gary Arend, Natalie Arend, Nancy Danyow, Julia Glaab, Dindy Harbeson-Geyman, Gloria Job, Ken Malpas and Kristine Vasquez.

George Albers gave a solo of Ave Maria and Pastor Marc McDonald sang I Wonder As I Wander. I was quite unprepared for the voice of Pastor McDonald.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

The concert was also a worship service with Biblical reading. They included Luke 2:1-6 and 13, John 3:1-17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:1-11, Exodus 19:3-7 and Luke 1:46-50.
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The Choir sang a series of holiday favorites on occasion getting the visitors to join in. The voices of the choir grew since last year and they made good use of the additions.

Afterward there was a reception hosted by the Director of Social Gatherings Sally Burcham.64015-11-29-22There are three more concerts scheduled on Sunday December 6, 13 and 20 beginning at 4 p.m. at St. John’s at 202 W. Grant next to the Christmas tree. The upcoming entertainment includes the Andrew Hamby Family, the Choirs of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church along with the choir from St. John’s, and flutist Anthony Flesch with guitarist Joel Rieck.

The concerts are free so they should make a welcome addition for your Polar Express, Bearizona Wild Wonderland or other holiday plans.

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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Snow and high winds expected tomorrow clearing Thanksgiving day

WILLIAMS — The latest Williams and Flagstaff weather forecast for the weekend shows winds picking up today with a high wind advisory and 20% chance of snow tomorrow. It is expected to clear up Thanksgiving day and be clear for the tree lighting events over the weekend.

It will remain cloudy throughout the weekend and on into Monday.