We may not have snow, but we have big strong horses with horse drawn hay-arranged carts! In keeping with the Ahwatukee Foothills tradition, the Festival of Lights will be providing the community hayrides for its eleventh year! Gather up your family and friends and head on a round trip hayride with an unforgettable luminary walk in the mix. Horse drawn hay carts depart from Altadena Middle School (view map) and head north up Desert Foothills Parkway. Guests can disembark at Telegraph Pass to partake in a luminary hike then jump back on a wagon to return to the school. The luminaries hike features nearly 500 amazing candle lit luminaries. Local entertainment groups provide a festive holiday atmosphere along the way. Some nights even local Boy & Girl Scout Troops will sell some holiday goodies including hot chocolate and glow stick necklaces to make the ride experience the best it can be! While on the hay carts, you'll enjoy the white light holiday splendor known as "Deck the Walls". Rumor has it you may even break into a Holiday Carol or two! The Festival of Lights will team up with Every Kid Counts for a Christmas donation of toys. Please bring an unwrapped toy to any of the evenings and earn a $1 discount. More importantly, you are helping those who are not as fortunate as you during the holiday season! Thank you. FAQs When are the Hayrides this year? The Hayrides are held on two nights only - Saturday, December 13, and Saturday, December 20 starting at 5:30pm. The last cart departs at 8pm, but be sure to arrive by 7:45pm. Be sure to get your tickets in advance! What is the route? The roundtrip hayride begins at Altadena Middle School parking lot, located at 14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway (view map). The carts head north on Desert Foothills Parkway to Telegraph Pass. At Telegraph Pass, riders disembark to enjoy a scenic, tranquil luminary hike with 500 luminaries. The trail for the luminary hike is paved and wheelchair accessible. The round trip hike takes approximately 30 minutes. After completing the luminary hike, riders get back on a hay cart for the return trip back down Desert Foothills Parkway. Where can we purchase tickets? You can purchase tickets online or in person beginning in November 2008 and up to 3pm on Saturday, December 20. After 3pm on 12/20, come directly to the hayrides to purchase in person. Tickets will be available at the following locations: Russ Lyon Realty, 1238 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix 85048, 480-460-7440 Safeway, 1334 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix 85048, 480-283-0032 Safeway, 4005 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix 85048, 480-759-9611 ACE Hardware, 1335 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix 85048, 480-460-4ACE And each night of the hayrides tickets will be for sale, while supplies last. We have a large group who all want to ride together, can we? We do not reserve carts for parties. However, if you show up all together at the early time slot of 5:30 pm, you will likely be able to get on as a group. Keep in mind weight restrictions in consideration of the horses, the carts will hold 20 to 25 people. Do we have to do the Luminary Hike? No, you do not have to. However, once you get to the top, all riders must disembark to let the horses rest for 15 minutes before they begin the return ride down. How long does the hayride take? Total time of the hayride alone is 45 minutes, this is a 15 minute ride up, rest at the top for 15 minutes and than 15 minutes back down. If you do the luminary hike you should add an additional 30 minutes to the overall time. Is there a Toy Drive or Discount? Yes, we are collecting new toys for Every Kid Counts program. Each rider who brings a new, unwrapped toy will receive a $1 discount on their ticket when purchased the night of the hayride. Limit one discount per rider. What if we are allergic to hay? We have some carts available that do not have hay on them to accommodate for allergies. Can we see the light display from the hayrides? No, you cannot see the formal Festival of Lights white light display along Chandler Blvd., however many neighbors along the hayride route decorate their homes and the walls along Desert Foothills Parkway all in the spirit of the holidays. If you look on surrounding hillsides and mountain tops you will also see snowflakes and other holiday decor. Click here to see a map.

When: Saturday, December 13 Saturday, December 20 5:30pm-8:00pm *Last cart departs at 8pm Where: Depart from Altadena Middle School (view map) How much: Tickets are $5 each, 3 and under ride free. Sales will begin in November 2008.   Hayrides Sponsored By: