A small-town, family-friendly event, “Stroll in the Glow” on the Avenue of the Fountains will officially open the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Mark your calendar for activities to begin at 5 p.m. and last until 8 p.m., according to Chamber of Commerce events manager Sharon Morgan.

The Chamber and Town jointly sponsor the annual celebration. Most retail businesses extend hours, serve refreshments and provide gift ideas for early holiday shoppers.

The Fountain Hills Community Band will perform under a new conductor, Frank Darmiento.

Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church members will recreate a live animal nativity scene. Youngsters will be able to pet the animals.

RE/MAX Sun Properties Realtors will provide two horse-drawn hay wagons for free rides from 5 to 7 p.m. on the Avenue of the Fountains. The office also will be open to visitors.

Excitement will build shortly before 6 p.m. when the switch if thrown to turn on thousands of lights in the trees and the static displays in the median. Santa will arrive by fire truck close to 6 p.m. to greet the children and hear their wish lists.

Community Center

Elves will sweeten “Candy Cane Carnival” festivities for all ages from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, in the Community Center. It is the 12th year for the free afternoon of family fun.

Heather Ware, town volunteer coordinator, said her elves have planned silly and fun games with prizes and making candy cane ornaments to take home or decorate the Christmas tree in the lobby.

The mother/son duo of Rita and Dusty Beracy will entertain the youngsters and lead the kazoo band around the halls of the center.

A hot cocoa station is planned, along with sweet treats.

Decorative wreaths and Christmas trees will adorn the center. Maybe, Santa himself might make an appearance.

Ken Burling of Burling’s Ton of Trains will operate his electric train layouts.