What’s Going On
For the past decade, residents of the Coyote Wash have strung Christmas lights and decorations on their golf carts and driven them in a holiday up and down the streets of the residential development on the south side of Interstate 8, in Wellton.
But this year’s golf cart parade, slated for Tuesday, will be a celebration of something besides the holiday season.
Larry Killman, Wellton’s town manager, has been named the parade’s grand marshal.
John Graham, one of the organizers of the annual parade, says Killman was selected as a way to honor the town for the investment it made in rehabilitating the Coyote Wash golf course following a period of neglect.
Up to about 40 golf carts are so far expected to cruise through Coyote Wash in the parade that will be at his home at 28601 Canal Avenue and depart at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The parade travels west to the end of Canal, makes a U-turn, then turns south on Apache Avenue, continuing on along Telegraph Avenue. It then travels along Kofa, Gila, Geronimo, Cortez, Mohave and Laguna streets before returning to the starting point.
Several hundred people typically turn out to see the parade, most of them adults, said Graham, adding, “I would like to see more kids.”
The parade, he says, evolved from a tradition among Coyote Wash residents of having an informal happy hour Tuesday evenings after golf at the Links at Coyote Wash.
“That was about 10 years ago, and it started with six carts, and then it grew from there,” he said. “I think last year we had 45 carts.”
This year, the parade is being paired with a campaign by Wellton’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6790 to collect Christmas gifts or cash for gifts for children of low-income families in east Yuma County.
A collection will be set up at the location of parade’s start, where people can drop off toys or clothing for children from toddler stage to 11, or cash for gifts.
The VFW post also has set up collection bids at these locations around Yuma, among them the Coyote Wash Golf Course; Chuck’s Stage Stop Restaurant, 28534 Los Angeles Ave.; Geronimo’s Restaurant, 28627 Los Angeles Ave.; Dusty’s Pizza, 28881 Commerce Way, and the Tier Drop RV Park, 28320 E County 11th St. Share your event information with the Yuma Sun’s online calendar. Submissions are free, and follow the same guidelines as What’s Going On. Go to YumaSun.com/ calendar.
CHRISTMAS ARTS, CRAFT SHOW
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. WHERE: Yuma County Fairgrounds, 2520 E. 32nd St. GOING ON: Arts and crafts demonstrated, tri-tip tacos, Christmas family photos, door prizes, music, local authors signing books, Scandinavian bake sale; sponsored by Artisans and Crafters of Yuma INFO: Contact Louis Cook at (928) 919-6903
THE NUTCRACKER
WHEN: 7 p.m. WHERE: Yuma High School, Snider Auditorium, 400 S. 6th Ave. GOING ON: Ballet Yuma dancers will take you on a magical journey into young Clara’s dream world as she and her Nutcracker Prince travel through the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets COST: Prices vary INFO: Call (928) 446-6770
BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
WHEN: 3 to 4 p.m. WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 3030 S. 8th Ave. GOING ON: The community is invited for a time of quiet worship and reflection; conclude with a simple soup and bread supper INFO: Contact Bob Klein at Bob@ TrinityYuma.org or call (928) 3443013
CRIMINAL SWIM FUNDRAISER
WHEN: Orders taken by phone GOING ON: Yuma High School swim team will sell Yuma Criminals navy blue bath towels as a fundraiser for equipment, uniforms COST: $20 each INFO: To order a towel, call Michele with swim boosters at (928) 2765368
SOCKS FOR SENIORS DRIVE
WHEN: Now through Dec. 16 WHERE: Round Table Pizza, 2544 W. 16th St. GOING ON: Yuma Camera Club is having their annual Socks for Seniors Drive for colorful, funky socks for seniors in our local seniors homes; also collecting new, white work socks for men and women for Crossroads Mission
FOOD FOR FINES
WHEN: 9 a.m. today through 5 p.m. Dec. 15 WHERE: Yuma County libraries GOING ON: Bring in cans of food to pay for your overdue fines during the 29th annual Food for Fines program; only labeled cans accepted, no glass jars, or dented or expired cans accepted
STORYTELLING
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m. WHERE: Main Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive GOING ON: Listen to the Grimm Brothers’ The Raven and The Devil’s Sooty Brother; open to public, free
CHRISTMAS LIGHTING
WHEN: Dusk to 10 p.m. through Christmas Day WHERE: 55th Street in the Foothills, between Montana and El Camino del Diablo GOING ON: Annual Christmas lighting on 55th Street; from Foothills Blvd. south to 54th Street, right onto Montana, left onto 55th Street; no donations accepted