As an iconic symbol of Arizona’s Winter Wonderland, the Weatherford Hotel’s glistening Great Pinecone will be hoisted into place, high atop the historic building as the centerpiece of downtown Flagstaff this weekend, marking the beginning of the holiday season.
Suspended like a giant holiday ornament, the LED lighted, seven-foot-tall aluminum Pinecone with more than 200 petals is to Flagstaff what the Times Square Ball is to New York and has become the emblem of New Year’s Eve in Arizona’s Northland.
“There’s something magical about the Pinecone that makes people smile and creates a beautiful atmosphere of community and celebration,” said Weatherford Hotel owner Sam (Pamela) Green. “We’ll be playing holiday music from the balconies, have fires in the fireplaces, and be ready with food, beverages and a festive atmosphere throughout the entire hotel for shoppers and visitors to enjoy.”
In addition, the Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), working with the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Flagstaff, is ready to light up the town starting the day after Thanksgiving with every intention of celebrating downtown Flagstaff as the place to be for the holidays. For the first time, Flagstaff has been official proclaimed “Arizona’s Winter Wonderland” by the Governor.
“We are very excited about the proclamation from Governor Doug Ducey,” said City of Flagstaff Economic Vitality Director Heidi Hansen. “This new designation will play a key role in our winter marketing efforts and the entire community will be vital in the roll out.”
Street trees, lampposts and Heritage Square will be all aglow and property owners along with business owners will be decorating their buildings and storefronts.
“We want to provide visitors a great experience, and encourage them and the local community to spend their time downtown and think of Flagstaff first for the holidays, from Black Friday through mid January,” said DBA Executive Director Terry Madeksza. “We really have everything you want in one walkable area with excellent dining where you can get a really high quality bite to eat, activities in Heritage Square where people enjoy being, and local shops with unique gifts. More than ever before, Flagstaff will look and feel like Arizona’s holiday destination.”
The festive season culminates on New Year’s Eve with the Weatherford Hotel’s Great Pinecone Drop. As has been a Flagstaff tradition for 17 years, thousands are expected to join in the countdown and ring in 2016. Two lowerings are planned for the Pinecone: one at 10 p.m. and one at midnight.
The Great Pinecone Drop, brought to the downtown by the Weatherford Hotel since New Year’s Eve 1999, is sponsored in part by Nackard Bottling Company. The event is free for all ages.
The Weatherford Hotel is the heart of Flagstaff, where the Northland comes home to celebrate. For more information visit weatherfordhotel.com or call 928-779-1919 to book holiday parties or reservations for New Year’s Eve dinner.