City News
Tempe's Mill Avenue Illuminates with Holiday Cheer: Fantasy of Lights Street Parade & Tree Lighting! Photos courtesy of city of Tempe THE FESTIVE SPIRIT IS SET TO DESCEND UPON DOWNTOWN TEMPE AND MILL AVENUE IN A BRILLIANT DISPLAY OF LIGHTS AND MERRIMENT. On Friday, Nov. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., residents and visitors are invited to usher in the holiday season with the Fantasy of Lights Street Parade & Tree Lighting. This vibrant event promises a magical start to the holiday festivities. As dusk settles, Mill Avenue will come alive with a dazzling street parade, spreading joy, warmth, and the enchantment of the season. Following the parade, attendees will gather for the eagerly awaited tree lighting ceremony, turning Downtown Tempe into a radiant beacon of holiday spirit. But the luminosity of the event isn't just
in the lights. Faces, especially the little ones, are sure to light up with a chance to get up close and personal with Santa! Capture the moment with photos and ensure those Christmas wishes are heard by penning letters to Santa. The festivities don’t stop there. Live entertainment will keep the atmosphere buoyant, and numerous other attractions are bound to keep everyone engaged and filled with yuletide spirit. So, mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and make your way to Mill Avenue for an evening that promises to be the highlight of this festive season. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this is one Tempe tradition you won't want to miss! For more information, visit downtowntempe.com/events/openingnight-parade.
Celebrate the love of vintage trains at
the Fall Rail Festival, in Chandler Photo courtesy of Arizona Railway Museum
ALL ABOARD! Train lovers and history buffs of all ages are invited to climb aboard and explore the glory days of local and long-distance travel on America’s railways during the Fall Rail Festival in Chandler. The celebration will be held Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Rd. The free public event is hosted each year by volunteers of the museum, located in the southwest corner of Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park. Fall Rail Festival will include displays of artifacts and memorabilia, tours of vintage railcars and a large sale of railroad books, magazines, and timetables at very affordable prices. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Visitors will learn about the historical importance of railroads from museum volunteers who will explain the type of work that is required to restore and refurbish these railcars to keep them “alive” as a testament to the glory days of rail passenger travel. Several cars feature interior displays of the typical myhyperlocalnews.com
accommodations for the traveling public, including seating, sleeping arrangements, and dining facilities, complete with custom-made railroad dining car china. The museum’s diesel locomotive will be open, giving visitors the opportunity to blow the horn, and Chandler’s historic #2562 steam locomotive also will be on display. Outdoor displays will include a wide variety of railroad signs, signals, and mining equipment. The museum’s standard entrance fee is waived for the Fall Rail Festival. However, donations from the public and local businesses are greatly appreciated. Visitors should access the event on Ryan Road, from Arizona Avenue or McQueen Road. Parking is free. Although the display building and restrooms are ADA Compliant, due to the historic nature of the equipment, access to the railroad cars is not ADA Compliant. The Arizona Railway Museum is normally open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, September through May. It is closed during the summer. For more information about the museum, visit azrymuseum.org or call 480-821-1108. THE KYRENE TIMES • November 2023 • 11
