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Neon Sign Park Wins 2020 James W. Garrison Heritage Award

CASA GRANDE — Casa Grande Main Street has been awarded the 2020 James W. Garrison Heritage Award.

Every year, one of the 10 Governor’s Heritage Preservation Honors Award recipients is chosen to receive the James W. Garrison Heritage Award for efforts to preserve Arizona’s history, a press release from Casa Grande Main Street said.

Casa Grande Main Street was selected for the award in recognition of its efforts to preserve Casa Grande’s unique history through the construction of the outdoor sign museum, the Neon Sign Park, located at 408 N. Sacaton St.

Although Casa Grande Main Street has received Governor’s Heritage Preservation awards in the past, the most prestigious is a first-place honor with the James W. Garrison Heritage Award, the press release said.

The Neon Sign Park also received the 2019 Arizona Great Place Award from the Arizona Chapter of the American Planning Association.

“Without the help from many organizations and the community, Casa Grande Main Street knows that the Neon Sign Park would not be the amazing community space that it is,” the press release said.

The 2017 Partners in Preservation grant, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, along with Main Street America and American Express, was key along with the support of various organizations in helping the Neon Sign Park become a reality.

“Additionally, Casa Grande Main Street is thankful for leaders such as Marge Jantz, Rina Rien, Donovan Kramer family, Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc., Casa Grande Historic Preservation Commission and the city of Casa Grande for their outstanding efforts in the creation of the Neon Sign Park,” the press release said.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting businesses and income, Casa Grande Main Street is seeking donations to help make up for lost income to maintain the Neon Sign Park. For more information on the Neon Sign Park and how to donate, visit www.neonsignpark.com.

View Entire Article on Pinal Central

When stay at home ends: This Arizona neon sign park glows nightly. Here's how to see it

No Arizona town embraces the night with as much gusto as Casa Grande.

As twilight falls, the Neon Sign Park flickers to life. Pools of rich velvety light fill the small plaza, red and blue like fire and ice. The colors flutter and dance with the pulse of each sign. It’s like being inside a kaleidoscope.

Almost a year old, the Neon Sign Park sits at the edge of Casa Grande’s historic downtown. Each night the signs blaze softly, casting a hypnotic glow and reconnecting visitors to long-ago memories. That’s the power of neon. This was the sign language of our past.

See photo gallery and article on AZ Central

Scavenger hunt set for Neon Sign Park

CASA GRANDE — A scavenger hunt, featuring a stroll through downtown, begins at 7 p.m. on Friday. At the DowntownLIVE event, appropriate for all ages, there is no cost to participate. The scavenger hunt is a new monthly event for DowntownLIVE, which is designed to spark new interest and energy in Casa Grande’s downtown. It was created by Marlyn Gallagher and designed by Kim McWherter, according to a press release by event organizers.

“Initially it was tested by DowntownLIVE performers and a few community members,” the press release said. On Feb. 8 the Mission Heights Preparatory High School Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, Student Council and Villago Middle School SADD Club tested the Bound. MHP became “Friends of the Neon Sign Park” earlier this year when the MEChA club helped with Neon Sign Park maintenance.

Vicky Vargas, Crystal Martinez and Jason Durivage of Mission Heights Prep and Bob Shogren and Iyannah Carranza from Casa Grande Alliance are among the members of the Friends of the Neon Sign Park, the press release said.

Arizona Highways Magazine “History Issue”

An article on the Neon Sign Park was in the February issue of the magazine.

Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce Directory

On the evening of the 2020 Annual Dinner & 2019 Award Program the 2020 Business Directory & Community Guide was revealed with the front cover featuring Casa Grande’s Neon Sign Park.  They have also printed a “Visit Casa Grande and Pinal County tri-fold that features the Neon Sign Park. 

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Casa Grande's neon sign park shines bright

CASA GRANDE, AZ (AZ HIGHWAYS TV) --It was a vision, that has become reality. Casa Grande's Neon Sign Park is now live and in vibrant, living color. The signs are all from Casa Grande except for the Dairy Queen sign. That's from Holbrook, on Route 66. Marge Jantz is the chair person of the Casa Grande historic preservation commission. "Most of the signs are from the early 1950's," Jantz said. "There's so much history in these signs that go back almost 70 years," said Richard Rosales, who serves as the President of the Main Street Board in Casa Grande.

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CG Neon Sign Park lighting ceremony

View the Neon Sign Park Lighting Ceremony Photo Gallery taken on April 13, 2019

Lighting Ceremony Photo Gallery on Pinal Central

Let there be light: New neon sign park now illuminates downtown

CASA GRANDE -- The lights are now on at the newest community attraction in Casa Grande — the Neon Sign Park.

The light switch was officially flipped at the park in Arizona Plaza, 408 N. Sacaton St., during a public celebration ceremony Saturday evening.

The park pays tribute to the neon and classic signs that once graced the Casa Grande and Arizona business landscape.
“It’s hard to put into words what I believe this park will mean to the community,” said Rina Rien, director of Casa Grande Main Street. “I am optimistic and encouraged by the buzz being created surrounding the park and how we are already translating it into a strategic vision for revitalizing our downtown.”

A joint project between Casa Grande Main Street and the city of Casa Grande Historic Preservation Commission, the new park features 14 signs that have been salvaged and restored.

Read More on Pinal Central

Neon Sign Park Coming to Casa Grande

Downtown Casa Grande is going to be a little brighter soon.

Work has officially started on the Casa Grande Neon Sign Park, which will feature 14 rehabilitated, mid-20th-century electric signs.

About CG Main Street

The Neon Sign Park will be operated and maintained by Casa Grande Main Street, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working on downtown revitalization and historic preservation.

Neon Sign Park Location

408 N. Sacaton St in Casa Grande, AZ