Events: Arizona - Phoenix - Scottsdale

Do you love pets? and Christmas? Then you won’t want to miss this annual festival to be held at Freestone Park in Gilbert on Saturday, Dec. 9. Host to one of the largest pet adoption events of the season, this unique family festival celebrates health, fitness and the joy of Christmas, while supporting local animal rescue groups. Over 25 pet rescue groups will be in Santa’s Pet Village, there to educate you more about the animals they help and to raise money by selling fun Christmas gift items for you and your pets. Dogs, cats and rats - they will all have adoptable pets just waiting to find a forever home this Christmas. Santa’s Pet Village and the Christmas Bazaar are open from 7:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. with free admission. 

For the more active, there is a run/walk event - the 12k’s of Christmas - offering a 12k run, 6k run/walk and a 1.2k “Santa Sled Run” for families. There are Christmas carolers and performers along the run/walk route and Santa has wrapped gifts under the tree for the most Christmas spirit and the best Christmas-themed running outfits (on people and their pets). Bring your family! Runners World ranked the 12k’s of Christmas as one of the Top 10 Races for the Whole Family. And bring your dog! Runners World ranked the 12k’s of Christmas as one of the Top 11 Races you should run with your dog! 

Wear a Santa Suit, dress up the kids as Elves, put costumes on your pets, and decorate your wagons and strollers. Along with costume prizes, all participants in the 12k and 6k receive Christmas “stockings” - high quality running socks. There will be finishers medals for all, plus first, second and third place age-group awards.

Run/walks begin at 10:12 a.m., but the festivities start at 7:30 a.m. Pre-register for the run/walk at www.12krun.com or sign up the day of the event. A portion of the proceeds support participating animal rescues and the Arizona Pet Project. Over the past 8 years, the 12k’s of Christmas has donated over $80,000 to help the animals and has helped almost 2,000 pets find forever homes.

For more information or to sign up, please see www.12krun.com or call (480) 609 3978. The 12k’s of Christmas is proudly produced by FieldWorks Events and Marketing Inc. www.fieldworksevents.com.