Spectators immerse themselves in the snowfall at La Encantada shopping center, where snow falls every Friday and Saturday at 6 and 6:45 p.m. through Dec. 20.

Photos by Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star

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Snow in the desert is a special treat, or — depending on one's outlook — a reminder of why we live in the desert. But for the standing-room-only crowd in the La Encantada courtyard, the first flakes of the season were greeted with open arms and outstretched tongues.

The rain held off long enough to allow the festive spirit to fill the air Friday at La Encantada shopping center as snow machines fired up, producing fluffy white flakes in what has become a tradition at the five-year-old mall at 2905 E. Skyline Drive.

At 6 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20, snow machines will churn out the "snow," getting visitors and shoppers into the spirit of the season.

Between snowfalls Friday, a cappella women's chorus Tucson Desert Harmony sang Christmas songs.

In the arms of her dad, Alana Spire, 3, seemed in awe of the snow as it fell for the second time of the evening. Asked if she had seen snow before, she shyly nodded.

Her grandmother laughed and said, "Yes, at six o'clock."