It was down-to-the-wire time at Little America Hotel Friday as workers scrambled to put in place the last-minute touches for tonight’s 13th annual Holiday Lights Festival.

A seven-member outdoor crew checked holiday lights for any burned-out bulbs. A crew of five from the sales office worked inside to transform the Rouge Room, a small conference room, into Santa’s own house.

“There’s a fireplace with stockings and Santa’s big chair,” said Gina Leingang, hotel sales manager. “We have all kinds of fake snow and multiple-color icicle lights, and we have a Christmas tree.”

More than 2,500 visitors came to Little America last year to enjoy the kickoff of the lights festival, which lasts into the new year.

Arizona Daily Sun