Maricopa inaugurates Merry Copa festival

A new Christmas celebration had hundreds of residents enjoying winter fun at Copper Sky Dec. 6. Click here to see our gallery.

The inaugural Merry Copa Holiday Festival was a four-hour festival that included the unveiling of the city Christmas tree. On a warm day that shifted into a chilly evening under a full moon, children played in the Snow Zone or tried their skills on an artificial ice rink.

Santa also dropped in to greet the children and pose for photographs.

For the grown-ups, more than 30 vendors of arts and crafts, services and food participated, with the Creativity Co-Op LLC serving as presenting sponsor.

After the unveiling of the Christmas tree, lights reflected in the park lake, there was a screening of “The Polar Express.” Throughout the day, five local groups performed on stage. That started with the Leading Edge Academy Choir followed by Up with Kids, the Maricopa High School Symphonic Band and A Positive Attitude. The trio Uptown wound up the evening.

Some attendees parked at Copper Sky for a fee, while others took advantage of the free shuttle service. Though official numbers are not yet available, shuttle drivers agreed they were not as full as they have been at established events like the Salsa Festival or the Fourth of July, but visitors were consistent throughout the first-time event.