Town of Marana selects UA Amazing Teacher of the Year Finalist to be Founders' Day Parade grand marshal

Jennifer North-Morris standing center.

Marana Founders’ Day has a new local celebrity at the helm of the annual parade - Marana Unified School District teacher and UA Amazing Teacher of the Year Finalist Jennifer North-Morris!

Jennifer North-Morris (Ms. NoMo) has lived in Marana for 19 years and is proud to be part of the Marana community as a teacher, parent, and neighbor. She joined the mathematics team at Marana High School seven years ago and has been honored this year as a finalist for the University of Arizona Athletics and KGUN 9 News Teacher of the Year. Prior to coming to Marana, she taught for 11 years in California and worked as a curriculum and professional development specialist for several publishing and technology companies. NoMo loves working and living in Marana and looks forward to her continued work with our amazing community. ​

Learn more about Marana Founders’ Day and the parade here.

Join us for the Marana Christmas Cruise & Tree Light Show Preview

This Saturday, be Merry On Main Street with the Town of Marana Christmas Cruise! Drive down Marana Main Street, enjoy a preview of the Christmas tree light show, and wave hello to Santa Claus! He will be accompanied by costumed characters and handing out goodies to the children. There will be a limited number of goodies to hand out— first come, first served.

The 1-day drive-thru event is only scheduled for December 5, but the Christmas tree light show will play every night through December 31.

Marana High School Symphonic Choir will be joining in the festivities and singing carols to passing vehicles.

UPDATE: The Marana High School Symphonic Choir is no longer able to attend the event.

COVID-19 SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Due to safety guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic, the following guidelines are in place:

• No members of the public may exit their vehicles while traveling through the event.

• Walk-up event attendees will not be permitted.

• Costumed characters will be wearing PPE equipment when handing out goodies.

• Please wear your mask when in close proximity to Santa, his friends, and Town staff.

DRIVE-THRU ROUTE

Take the Tangerine Exit from Interstate-10 and drive west. Follow event signage. Please practice safe driving while moving through the event and keep the line moving. The far-right lane is the event line. Multiple lines are not permitted. Use of the center lane is not permitted.

Characters will be on the side of the street near the Marana Municipal Complex (marked by the green box on the map) and passing out goodies.

Lines may be long due to event interest. Please drive safely while waiting on the route, and tune in to 89.5 FM to listen to holiday music as you wait!

How to read this map:
The yellow line shows the route in and out of the event
The green box shows the event area

TOM Christmas Cruise 2020

BRING YOUR LETTERS TO SANTA!

While children will not be able to sit with Santa, they can drop off their letters when they pass by his station! Bring your completed Santa letter with you, and elves will be on-site to collect them. Want a response back? Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Download the official event stationery (not required!)

Event emcee Buzz Jackson

MEET BUZZ!

Meet Buzz Jackson, event emcee and special guest for the Marana Christmas Cruise 1-day drive-thru event!

You can hear Buzz Jackson every afternoon on KIIM-FM 99.5, playing Tucson’s Country Favorites (and Marana’s Country Favorites, too!). He’s a CMA and ACM Award winner as well as a proud Marana resident since moving to Arizona in 2001.

MISS THE DRIVE-THRU EVENT?

If you can’t make it on December 5, never fear! While the drive-thru event is only for one day, the Christmas tree light show will still play every night in December from 5-9 PM, on the hours.

For more information, please visit maranaevents.com.