Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Community gears up for 'avalanche'

Nevada County may have missed the brunt of a recent winter storm that pushed across much of the area, but businesses and residents are gearing up for a snowball avalanche slated for Dec. 7. The event is one part of the annual Christmas on the Square held at the Nevada County Courthouse.

The avalanche is an opportunity for area merchants to encourage residents to shop locally - and for residents to garner some excellent bargains. Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Godwin said the snowball avalanche is the grand finale of Christmas on the Square.

The basics of the avalanche are simple. Merchants provide ping-pong balls printed with prizes. City of Prescott employees throw them onto the crowd below from a bucket truck. This avalanche provides merchants the opportunity to promote local shopping while those gathering the balls have the chance to save money on their holiday spending.

Christmas on the Square officially starts at 6 p.m. with the annual Christmas parade. The parade will end at the courthouse and festivities at the square will begin as soon as the parade participants arrive - probably around 6:30 p.m.

Godwin said the children from the Presbyterian Preschool will kick off the Christmas on the Square with a selection of songs. The Central Baptist Kids Choir will perform next.

Then Brad Crain, chamber president, will invite all the children who are there to come up on the steps and sing some holiday songs, Godwin said. Those songs will be traditional favorites and all children are invited to participate.

Next on the agenda is the announcement of the winners of the merchants window dressing contest and the residential decorating contest along with parade winners.

Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be inside, Godwin said.

Children are invited to go inside to offer up their wish list. Photos will be for sale with the famous holiday couple.

Dont worry about the cold temperatures. The Nevada County 4H will have hot chocolate for sale.

Looking to donate to a worthy cause? McRae Middle School Future Business Leaders of America and student council members will be selling glow-sticks to raise money to grant a wish for a MMS student through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Prescott Lions Club will also be busy during Christmas on the Square. Beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday, Lions will offer up items for sale to fund their community efforts for the coming year. The live auction will continue through 9:30 p.m. or so Thursday and will be held from 6 p.m. until the auction is finished Friday night. This event will also be held at the courthouse.