A message from Cedar City Mayor Maile Wilson
As I drive down Main Street and see the bright Christmas lights, I can’t help but smile at the stunning community we are all fortunate enough to call home. I love this time of year, from Thanksgiving and the opportunity it gives each of us to reflect on the bountiful blessings we enjoy by living in this beautiful community to the Storybook Cavalcade Children’s Parade and the excitement on children’s faces as they realize that Christmas is approaching. Finally, it wouldn’t be the holiday season here in Cedar City without the numerous spectacular holiday events and all of the volunteers that dedicate so many hours making this season magical for our community. However, as we continue with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I challenge all of us to remember that this time of year is truly about people, not sparkly packages with pretty bows.
As the year winds down, I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank all of the City employees for their hard work and dedication each and every day all year long. Our city staff diligently go about their duties, and many of the activities are not very glamorous, without any public recognition unless there is a problem. We are very fortunate here in Cedar City to have such high-quality employees working to keep our water running, our garbage hauled away, our streets repaired, our parks in immaculate condition, etc. These individuals take great pride in their work and in trying to provide the best service possible to our residents. Thank you, Cedar City staff, for your commitment to our community.
I also want to thank the SUU athletic department and athletic director Debbie Corum for their support of Cedar City and our amazing city employees. In an effort to further our partnership and support of one another, the Oct. 27 SUU vs. University of Northern Colorado football game was declared “Cedar City Night.” A big “thank you” to the athletic department for recognizing the hard work and dedication of our city employees during the game ball presentation. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by all.
SUU Alumni and Community Relations invites you to celebrate Christmas at SUU with the Grammy Award-winning and Country Music Hall of Fame members the Oak Ridge Boys! This concert will take place Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. in the America First Event Center at SUU. Returning to Cedar City for the first time since their sold-out show in 2013, the Oak Ridge Boys bring a night of Christmas magic perfect for the entire family. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform their greatest hits and also holiday favorites such as “Thank God for Kids,” “Let it Snow,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” with a special appearance by a Santa Claus impersonator who will deliver gifts to all children in attendance.
Tickets start as low as $16 and can be obtained either by calling the T-Bird Ticket Office at (435) 586-7872 or online at tbirdtickets.com.
Festival City has a wide variety of events all year, and Christmas time is no different. Below is a list of upcoming events to celebrate the season:
—Dec. 9 and 10: The Orchestra of Southern Utah will present Handel’s “Messiah.” The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar City Heritage Theater and is free to the public, but tickets are required and must be picked up in person. Tickets can be picked up at the Heritage Theater at 105 N 100 E. No will-call, online, or phone orders will be available for this event.
—Dec. 11: Cedar City Music Arts presents “The Nutcracker” with the Moscow Ballet. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Randall L. Jones Theater at 300 W. University Blvd. General admission is $30 or $15 for students. For more information, call (435) 865-2882.
—Dec. 12: The In Jubilo Christmas Concert and second annual Care and Share food drive begins at 7 p.m. at the Cedar City Heritage Theater and is free to the public.
—Dec. 15: “The Forgotten Carols” tells the story of Connie Lou, a nurse whose empty life is changed when Uncle John, a new patient she is attending, recounts the story of Christ’s birth as told by little known characters in the nativity story. The accounts from the Innkeeper, the Shepherd, and others help the nurse discover what the world has forgotten about Christmas, ultimately encouraging her to open her heart to the joy of this special season. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar City Heritage Theater. Admission is $28 or $36 for orchestra seating, and tickets can be purchased online at forgottencarols.com.
—Dec. 16: The Canyon View Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will hold its Crèche Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. at 1985 N. Main St. This event is open to all, free of charge. Hundreds of nativities will be on display. The event will also feature a children’s nativity and live musical performances throughout the evening. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas! For more information, please contact John Higley at (801) 850-7558 or jsh1951@gmail.com. If you would like to display a nativity, contact Lisa Holmes at (435) 592-1138 or lisabholmes5@gmail.com.
—Dec. 16: The Master Singers Christmas Concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Cedar City Heritage Theater and is free to the public.
—Dec. 20–22: The Neil Simon Festival presents “A Christmas Carol on the Air.” The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Cedar City Heritage Theater. Admission is $15, and tickets can be purchased online at simonfest.org.
The Cedar Chest Quilters Guild’s 13th Annual Quilt Retreat will take place Jan. 29–Feb. 1, 2019, at the Cedar City Heritage Theater. There will be over 40 classes, a vendor mall, a trunk show, door prizes, etc. For more information on how to register and participate in this year’s event visit cedarchestquiltersguild.org, or call the retreat chairwoman, Ronnie Badgett, at (435) 477-2243.
For more information on upcoming community events, visit visitcedarcity.com.
Don’t be alarmed if you hear sirens bright and early Dec. 9 as it is the annual Cedar City Police Department “Shop with a Cop” event. Public safety officials, first responders, and many other volunteers take approximately 100 children from the Iron County area shopping for Christmas. They receive the names of eligible children from the Iron County School District. With help from many volunteers, our local law enforcement, EMS, fire department, and dispatchers provide the children with breakfast that morning and then take them on a memorable shopping spree at Wal-Mart.
To help raise funds for “Shop with a Cop,” you can still attend the last Cedar City Police Department “Tip a Cop” fundraiser for this year, which will take place at Lupita’s Mexican restaurant Dec. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. Please come and support this worthy cause.
I also wanted to thank all of the local businesses and community members that generously donated their time and money to the “Holiday Tree Jubilee” at the Barn at Cedar Meadows. Through your generosity, the event was able to donate $9,000 toward this years “Shop with a Cop.”
For more information, or if you have any questions, call (435) 586-2956. If you would like to make a monetary donation, it can be dropped off at the Cedar City Police Department or mailed to Cedar City Police Department, 10 N. Main St., Cedar City, UT 84720.
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