Thousands upon thousands of Maricopans gathered at Copper Sky Park to celebrate the holiday season Friday night at the city’s Merry Copa festival. The event included a tree lighting, fireworks, carolers and even 40 tons of snow trucked in for a sledding hill, along with snowball fights. Free cookies and hot chocolate were available. Santa and the Grinch were also on hand. Here are some scenes from the event:
![Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing speaks to the press after a practice Aug. 11, 2023. [Bryan Mordt]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cowing-overlay-3-218x150.png "MHS G.O.A.T. a ‘rookie sleeper’ in NFL draft")
![One of several flyers for a "TikTok rizz party" is taped to a door in the Maricopa Business Center along Honeycutt Road on April 23, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-042324-tiktok-rizz-party-flyer-web-218x150.jpg "Maricopa’s ‘TikTok Rizz Party,’ explained")
![Phoenix police stop a stolen vehicle on April 20, 2024. [Facebook]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5040-218x150.jpg "Alleged car thief released without charges")
![Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing speaks to the press after a practice Aug. 11, 2023. [Bryan Mordt]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cowing-overlay-3-100x70.png "MHS G.O.A.T. a ‘rookie sleeper’ in NFL draft")
