 
Join us in celebrating a unique southwestern tradition that draws visitors from far and wide during the holidays. This community festival also includes the beautiful Parade of Lights. This year marks the 56th Tumbleweed Tree built in Historic Downtown Chandler.
Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park & Downtown Chandler
Saturday, December 1, 2012
4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION
Watch the most unique tree light up the night when the Mayor flips the switch and the holiday season in Historic Downtown Chandler officially begins.
Entertainment Schedule
Stage Schedule
4:30pm - 4:50pm COC Dance
5:00pm - 5:20pm Angels Dance Studio
5:30pm - 5:50pm The Dance Loft
6:00pm - 6:20pm The Arizona Mood Swings
8:40pm - 9:00pm Studio 3 Showstoppers
East Ramada Schedule
4:30pm - 4:50pm New Vistas Show Choir
5:00pm - 5:20pm Dance Express
5:30pm - 5:50pm Chandler School of Fine Arts Strings
6:00pm - 6:20pm Ocotillo Dance Center
6:30pm - 6:50pm Stacy J Dancing - Scorch, Blaze and The Rivals
Parade Route Schedule
5:30pm - 6:50pm Senior Elite Showstoppers - Caroling along parade route
Performers' Biographies
Studio 3 Showstoppers
Pop Music meets Broadway Musicals in this live Glee experience! This elite group of triple threat performers present their show-stopping musical revues all over the Valley each year. Designed for students who want a focused, professional training program, each Showstopper is given a customized schedule consisting of singing, dancing, and acting technique. As result of this unique triple threat training, many students have starred in professional theatre productions at a young age!
Senior Elite Showstoppers 
The Studio 3 Showstoppers are Arizona's current State Champion Show Choir. They are representing Arizona this year at the Regional Competition in Hollywood this spring. Each holiday season, the Showstoppers love to use their talents to give back to the community and get people in the holiday spirit by caroling at various community and charity events.
The Arizona Mood Swings
The Arizona Mood Swings are a uniquely talented group of 'seniors' whose combined years in the entertainment industry span well over 100 years. Together they perform over four decades of music genres from fifties rock and roll to eighties rock and country, in harmony!
Dr. Madelaine Paschal: is from Lubbock, TX, a resident of AZ eight years. She sings 50’s, 60’s Pop, Country, and Gospel songs. Maddy is hostess
of “Seniors On The Move” segment on The Morning Blend, KGUN-TV, Tucson; monthly columnist, “Seniors, It’s About Time”, for Chandler's Ocotillo Living Magazine; Ms. Senior Arizona 2010; 1st Runner-up, Ms. Senior America, 2010; vocalist with “The Arizona Mood Swings”; Cowboy poet, author of “A Prairie Waltz” and new book, “Her Prayer To The Almighty Began…”. Maddy’s husband, Gordon, is a retired cinematographer from Los Angeles, CA.
Myrna Foster, is from Wichita, KS, a resident of AZ twenty-three years, a retired Activities Director, and graphic arts designer. She sings 40’s, 50’s, 60’s Pop & Rock standards, Hawaiian songs, dances Hula and plays ukulele; Ms. Senior Arizona 2011; vocalist with “The Arizona Mood Swings”; a former Forever
Young dancer, with background in tap, ballet, musical comedy; emcee and retired dancer with “Ka’ea Mauna Lani” hula halau; member of AZ Classic
Thunderbird Club; member of Lau Kanaka No Hawaii Civic Club.
Duane Foster, is from Williston, ND, a resident of AZ twenty-two years. He plays guitar, bass, ukulele; sings 50’s, 60’s, 70’s Rock, Folk songs, and Hawaiian songs; vocalist and guitar player with “The Arizona Mood Swings”; played bass with the Hawaiian Band, “Miles From Hawaii”, in Arizona and Hawaii; in his profession as an Architect, he designs single-family homes; he has designed two homes for “Extreme Makeover Home Edition” TV Show; member of AZ Classic Thunderbird Club; member of Lau Kanaka No Hawaii Civic Club.
Ron Butler, is from Southern CA, a resident of AZ for fifteen years. He sings all genres of songs, plays guitar and harmonica, and spent thirty-five years s as a full-time entertainer, performing all over the West Coast. Venues included San Francisco, Reno, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and ski resorts in the Northwest and in Canada. Ron also appeared on National Television’s “Gong Show”…twice…in the Seventies. Ron’s wife, M.J., works locally in the auto industry. 
Stacy J Dancing - Scorch, Blaze and The Rivals
Originally from New Jersey, Stacy J has devoted over 20 years to performing, choreographing and teaching. Known throughout the world as a Master Teacher, Choreographer, and Adjudicator, she specializes in Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Theater. She is a Graduate of Disney University and holds a BFA Degree in Theatre. Possessing a vibrant, creative and fresh perspective in the professional dance, theatre, and film industries, Stacy J’s style and perspective is matched by none!
Stacy J Dancing is quality, professional dance/ performance art education being offered through Mesa, Chandler, and Apache Junction Arizona Parks and Recreation. It is her quest, as owner and director, to offer children and adults a well-respected and designed city program within their own Multigenerational and Recreational Centers. Come check them out at Tumbleweed Recreation Center here in Chandler or visit the website at www.stacyjdancing.com.
The Dance Loft
The Dance Loft is dedicated to providing dance instruction in a positive learning environment that will encourage creativity and self -esteem. The studio and staff are devoted to inspire, encourage, and support every student as they learn about dance. Our vision at The Dance Loft is for every dancer to appreciate and be as passionate, as we are, about DANCE! The Dance Loft offers dance instruction for ages 2 thru 17 in the styles of Jazz, Ballet, Tumbling, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. Stop by today to sign-up for a Free Trial class!
C.O.C. Dance Team
The C.O.C. Dance Team is a group of working professionals who love to dance! Their style is a fusion of jazz, hip hop, ballet, and tap. The team does various performances throughout the Valley.
Ocotillo Dance Center
Ocotillo Dance Center was founded with the family in mind. At ODC dancers Are able to receive a quality dance education, in a family-friendly and welcoming environment. We offer classes for ages three and up in jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical and much more.
Volunteer Information
Are you interested in volunteering? We have a great opportunity for anyone who needs community service hours or just want to help out a great event. Volunteer opportunities range from setting up, parade banner holder, activity booths or helping guests with event information.
Sign up today by clicking on this ICON and filling out the form in minutes!
Vendor Information
For ALL questions, concerns or comments regarding a vendor booth space for the Tumbleweed Tree Lighting and Parade of Lights, contact John Stewart at 480-236-9123.
** The Chandler Lions Club oversees the criteria and acceptance of vendors for this event.**
Applications are NO LONGER being accepted. ALL space for the event is FULL!
Parking
Guests attending the event are strongly encouraged to arrive early to find parking. There are several locations to park at throughout the Downtown area. Please visit the parking map and suggested routes to access each parking site.
**Please be aware that Arizona Ave. will be closed from Chandler Blvd. to Frye Rd. from approximately 3:30pm to 10pm.
Parking Map (pdf.)
Disabled Services
Guests arriving for the event in need of disabled parking or a parade seating area will be able to use the services provided for them. Please Note: there is limited parking and parade seating. It is a first-come availability.
Parking
Parking is located on the corner of Boston St. and San Marcos Place - space is limited
Road Closures
Road closures will take place for this event. Please make sure to plan accordingly and how to move around the area.
Streets to be Closed - Beginning at 6:00am
San Marcos Place at Buffalo St
San Marcos Place on the south side of Commonwealth Ave
Commonwealth Ave on the east side of the Alley (west of San Marcos Place)
Arizona Place at Buffalo St
Arizona Place at Boston St.
No Street Parking along Arizona Ave from Chandler Blvd. to Frye Rd.
Streets to be Closed - Beginning at 3:30pm
Arizona Ave at Chandler Blvd. to Frye Rd.
Buffalo St & Washington St west side
Boston St & west of First Credit Union Parking Structure Entrance (Closest to the Senior Center)
Washington St & Frye Rd. north side
Chicago St & Wall St east side
Chicago St & Delaware St west side
Boston St & Arizona Ave west side
Buffalo St & Oregon St east side (hotel entrance open)
Streets to be Closed - Beginning at 6:30pm
Delaware St. at Frye Rd west side
Washington St. at Elgin north side
Colorado St. at Elgin
Frye Rd. at Arizona Ave west side with a single right turn lane only
Arizona Ave at Frye Rd. south side
Arizona Ave. northbound traffic detour at Elgin for east or west bound traffic to Frye Rd.
A Community Tradition
This unique Chandler tradition began in 1957, when Chandler resident Earl Barnum raised the idea of a tumbleweed tree after he saw a similar one in Indiana built out of cone-shaped chicken wire with pine boughs stuck in the holes. Many members of the community helped create the first tree in Chandler using tumbleweeds that they gathered from around town. Little did these folks know that they were the first to do such a thing and that it would continue as an annual Christmas tradition from then on. In fact, Chandler is the only city in the southwestern United States that has such a tree!
How is it done?
First, members of the City's Park Operations Division gather tumbleweeds from the outskirts of the City. With Chandler's rapid growth and development, fewer stretches of empty land are within the City limits, which makes it harder to find tumbleweeds in large quantities. So, the Park crews must start collecting the tumbleweeds earlier each year.
Between 1,500-2,000 tumbling tumbleweeds are collected each year, and approximately half of those are used to adorn a 25-foot tall wire frame. Then, the tumbleweeds are sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of flame retardant and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The tree is later adorned with approximately 1,200 holiday lights that give it a spectacular look, day or night.
The lighting of the Tumbleweed Tree draws a large crowd, with more than 12,000 expected to watch the Mayor and members of the City Council flip the switch to light this magnificent sight.
The Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Parade of Lights (starting at 7 p.m.) help to bring our community together to kick-off the holidays.
Chandler Special Events Hotline
480-782-2732
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