<p><a href="http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/10/l_ef10d8f613104533979b987f28006f01.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2305" title="FOL1" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/FOL1-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>

<p>I'm a sucker for holiday traditions. </p>

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<p>Two days after Thanksgiving, my fair community turns on the lights.  Big time. </p>

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<p>Every cactus, tree, and desert shrub along the main street is decked with white lights.  We are so darned festive that our light parade actually gets the name "festival".  We are known as "The Festival of Lights".  How cool is that???</p>

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<p>We even throw a big party to kick it off!  It's appropriately (although not-so-creatively) named The Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party.  Phoenicians and Suburbanites from all over my fair city descend upon us.  We have to close streets and shuttle people from the YMCA.  Yep.  My community knows how to throw a PARTY! </p>

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<p>The party consists of more than a 100 street vendors, a stage with rotating entertainment, more bouncy thingies than you can count, lots o' food, and a Beer and Wine Garden (EVERY Arizona festival has a beer an wine garden.  It's a state mandate.)</p>

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<p>The premier destination for most childless adults is usually the state-mandated Beer &amp; Wine Garden.  However, when you are a big dork like me, you <em>run</em> (not walk) when you see this beckoning in the distance...</p>

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<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/churl/852774508/" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2306" title="FunnelCake!!!" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/FunnelCake-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>

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<p>A festival just wouldn't be a festival without funnel cake.  DELISH!!!</p>

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<p>The Kick-Off Party concludes with Santa on a Harley.  I am not making this up. </p>

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<p><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/1130ar-lights30Z14.html?&amp;wired" target="_blank"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2308" title="santaharley" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/santaharley-300x205.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="205" /></a></p>

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<p>Only in Arizona, my friends.  Only in Arizona.  :-)</p>

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<p>What holiday traditions did you kick off this weekend?  Please share with us in the comment section below!<br class="spacer_" /></p>

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