For 32 years, the APS Electric Light Parade has brought families, organizations and businesses from across the Valley together to celebrate the joy of the holiday season. The largest free one-day family event in the state, the parade draws more than 100,000 spectators who watch floats, marching bands, other performance groups and cars bedecked in electric lights take to the streets, beginning on Central and Montebello Avenues in Phoenix and ending at 7 th Street and Indian School Road. Behind this magic lies a lot of hard work. Dozens of volunteers spend months sorting and cleaning many thousands of lights, checking inflatables and making sure everything will be ready come December’s first Saturday. Leading the charge is Terry Ricketts, an events manager at APS who has been with the organization — and the parade — for 27 years. Ricketts speaks with a smooth, energetic voice that gives away his training in radio and TV. He also served in the Air Force, acted as Ronald McDonald for a while and was executive director Karen Werner | Editor Events manager at APS TERRY RICKETTS OFFICE DOORS {valley changemakers} 12 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | DECEMBER 2018

A beloved annual tradition, the APS Electric Light Parade attracts more than 100,000 outdoor viewers a year. Photo Credit: James A Ritter, Public Information Specialist