Arizona cities ready to usher in 2014 with own traditions
Dec 31, 2013, 8:27 AM | Updated: 8:27 am
PHOENIX — The City of Show Low will bring in the New Year with one of Arizona’s most unique events.
Show Low was literally named after a card game decided by the deuce of clubs. C.E. Cooley and Marion Clark determined there was not enough room for both of them in the settlement. According to legend, Clark said, “If you can show low, you win.” Cooley turned up the deuce of clubs and replied, “Show Low it is.”
Carrie Natceli with the city said the card will drop at midnight. The event is free.
“We have a lighted, hoisted deuce of clubs and do the typical countdown and drop the lighted card and then do a fireworks display.”
This is the third year of the event and Natceli said a crowd of about 500 people is expected to brave the chilly night in the high country to watch around 11 p.m. at Festival Marketplace, 1031 E. Deuce of Clubs.
Meanwhile in Flagstaff, the 6-foot tall Great Pine Cone will be lowered from the Weatherford Hotel. That New Year’s Eve tradition has been going since 1999. The event is free.
There will be two drops this year. The first drop is at 10 p.m. to give families with children a chance to party; the second drop will be at midnight.
