Nelson Deer’s passion for playing the alto saxophone was on display this holiday season in front of his Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. So were his bandmates. 

Deer, 17, a senior at Mesa High School, has been playing the saxophone since his fourth-grade days. On Friday, November 29, he marched with his school band down Longmore Road in the annual SRPMIC Holiday Light Parade.

It was the first time the band marched in the parade, a fact that Deer was proud of.

“We’re excited to do something new,” he said. “All of us love playing instruments, and any opportunity we get to play our instruments and express something that we love to do, with people willing to listen, that’s all we need to have fun.” 

The light parade featured more than 25 parade floats, including Buddy the Elf, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Grinch wearing a ribbon skirt, and, of course, more than one Santa.

The parade announced winners in seven categories, from Most Festive and Best Theme to Best Overall, in an award ceremony in the Two Waters Courtyard that included treats and photo opportunities with parade characters.

The leader of the parade and this year’s grand marshal was the Salt River Accelerated Learning Academy, in honor of its recent success in earning an “A” letter grade from the Arizona Department of Education. Students and school staff rode in two horse-drawn carriages to start the festive night.

Kendra Percy was among the ALA students who helped decorate the carriages. Percy, 20, is a senior who plans to study social work in higher education after she graduates this spring.

“It’s an honor to be named grand marshal,” Percy said. “I know everybody worked super hard to [achieve the A grade], especially the kids and the teachers.”

Holiday Light Parade Category Winners

• Best Overall Department: “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Department of Transportation
• Best Overall Community Group/Family: “Buddy the Elf,” Scabby Family
• Best Theme: “Sonic Christmas Adventures”
• Most Original: “Ride into Christmas,” the Balderrama Family
• Most Festive: Talking Stick Golf Club
• Best Walking: “Santa’s Candies & Kanes,” Miles and Moore Family
• Best Use of Lights: “Jesus Is the Gift,” Salt River Assembly of God Church