Category Archives: Route 66

Williams Cool Country Cruise-In on Route 66

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kz640-140808-07ccci-140809-34WILLIAMS – Only a few drops of rain threatened, but did not dampen, the Cool Country Cruise-In this year. The sound of the roaring machines could be heard cruising both stretches of historic route 66 throughout the weekend. The event was a treat for locals and visitors from around the globe.

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Local radio KBZX 92.1 FM provided appropriate music for the route 66 event as well as an entry.

While not an "official" entry, this Marine celebrated his historic military organization and those who have yet to come home.

While not an “official” entry, this Marine celebrated his historic military organization and those who have yet to come home.

The weather was sunny Friday. Saturday produced a few drops near the end of the day. That did not stop the classics from cruising the historic strip.

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Not all of the classics were limited to the area between First Street to the east end of Route 66. On the west end Conoco had their classic truck on display.

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Early risers form up for Cool Country Cruise-In

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ccci140808-04WILLIAMS – Some of the classics in for the Cool Country Cruise-In event on Route 66 in Williams started lining up about 7:30 today. The annual event brings classic cars from several States.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is reduced to 15-miles per hour from First Street east to the end of Bill Williams Avenue (Route 66) for the event. Drivers need to watch for pedestrians and photographers.

The Matthew J. Broehm VFW post will be selling raffle tickets for the tactical shotgun which will be drawn for today.

Cars are not the only events available this weekend. The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will host a free swim and party with pizza, snow cones and beverages on Saturday, August 9 from noon to 2 pm. The pool will then go to a reduced schedule open to the public only on Friday and Saturdays through August 30. The Friends are planning one more free swim and party on the last day of the season.
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Bearizona is always open from 8am to 7pm. Cars begin to line up for the drive-through wildlife park even before opening. You will probably find Marvelous Marv’s orange Volkswagen Beetle at the car show, but his orange van will be available to take visitors to the Grand Canyon for his world-famous private tour.

On the west end of town near Safeway, across the street from Memorial Park, the Kiwanis Club Route 66 Street Market will be open. The Route 66 Street Market replaced the Swap Meet which used to be held in the same area. Proceeds from this event benefit the Kiwanis scholarships offered to local students.

If you are not into the noise and bustle of the downtown activities, the Kaibab National Forest is open for hiking and camping. Anglers should be happy because the Buckskinner Park reservoir is up to its aspens in water. Although the aspens did not flourish this season, the recent monsoon has filled the reservoir to near capacity. It appears that it has recently been restocked as trout are jumping. It should be remembered that a trout stamp is required for fishing in our local lakes.

Aspens at Buckskinner park. Unfortunately they did not spawn leaves this year.

Aspens at Buckskinner park. Unfortunately they did not spawn leaves this year.


The Williams watershed is open for hiking which means the trail from Buckskinner park is open. Alternatively one could travel seven-miles out Perkinsville Road (continue up Fourth Street past Santa Fe dam) to the Benham trail. Both trails are about 4-1/2 miles so take plenty of water. The Benham trail will probably yield the most views of wild life.

The weather is expected to be clear today with a 10% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and Sunday. The chance of thunderstorms rises to 50% on Monday. Winds are expected to be from 5- to 10-mph through the weekend.

Williams experiences global cooling

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Williams drenched by rain and hail.

Williams drenched by rain and hail.

WILLIAMS – The City of Williams was deluged, today, by a short duration of rain and hail. It hailed so heavily that there appeared to be piles of snow on the ground and traffic slowed to the speed limit.

Williams was enjoying a warm day when the rain and hail hit about 1 pm. Electricity went out for about a minute. The ground was still so warm that in some areas steam began to rise creating a thin fog. The temperature dropped drastically and as of this writing is still cool.

Williams to follow lead of ADOT on wrong way signage

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300px-wrong-dipstickWILLIAMS – ADOT is posting larger wrong way signs and posting them lower to the ground. The hope is that they will be more eye-catching for drivers. In recent weeks there have been several accidents caused by wrong way drivers.

The Northern Arizona Gazette has learned that the City of Williams is considering the process for signs along their one-way routes of Railroad and Bill Williams Avenue. Bill Williams Avenue is one-way going east in the direction of Flagstaff while Railroad Avenue is one-way going west toward Ash Fork. Both streets are part of the defunct Route 66 highway system.

The City of Williams will have larger signs created. They will also be posted lower to the ground. They will also have a more western-style eye-catching message to drivers going in the wrong direction.

When contacted, City Hall stated, “This is a completely satire piece. It is meant for humor only. You’ve been had.”

Star Party set for Friday

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Photo courtesy of CAS web site.

WILLIAMS – It is time for the monthly Star Party in Williams sponsored by the Coconino Astronomical Society. The location will be the Glassburn Natural area across from Rod’s Steakhouse on Railroad Avenue. The viewing will be held on Friday beginning at 7:30. Members will be available to answer questions about astronomy and telescopes and other viewing devices. If you are looking for something to do this Friday night, the CAS Star Gazing party is well worth the price of admission. Especially since it is free.

Williams holds parade and events against a backdrop of Slide Rock Fire smoke

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WILLIAMS – The appearance of Smokey the Bear at the Memorial Day parade in the City of Williams against a backdrop of smoke was a somber reminder of the result of carelessness. The Slide Rock fire in Oak Creek and Woods Canyon fire near Payson are human-caused fires being fought by fire crews who cannot stop to enjoy the festivities.

975 fire fighters are still on the Slide Rock fire which has consumed nearly 11,000 acres and is still only 5% contained. They are fighting with air craft, as well, and are reporting some positive results with air-dropped fire retardants. Winds have died down—as they usually do around this time—which helps the fire fighters.

With them in mind, the City of Williams went on with the annual parade in honor of those who are fighting, have fought and who died doing their duty for their country.

Members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carry the colors followed by the Vietnam Veterans Association.

Members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carry the colors followed by the Vietnam Veterans Association.

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The parade naturally starts with members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carrying the flag. They were followed by the Vietnam Veterans Association.

Entries included the Bill Williams Mountain Men, the First Baptist Church and Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the Shriners. Camp Civitan, The Flagstaff Kennel Club K-9 Drill Team entered and the Cancer Society entered a float for breast cancer awareness.

Of course there were classic cars, politicians, first responders from Junipine, Ponderosa and Williams fire departments and Lifeline Ambulance.

After the parade a concert was held at the community stage. The Williams Aquatic Center was opened thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center including a pool party.

Attractions such as the Zipline and Bearizona were open for business.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Matthew Broehm post held a fundraising barbeque and sold tickets for their August raffle. They are raffling a Remington Model 870 tactical shotgun to be drawn for during the August Cool-Country Cruise In. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Only 500 tickets will be sold.

Events included the opening of the Williams Aquatic Center and rides on the Zipline.

Events included the opening of the Williams Aquatic Center and rides on the Zipline.

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Williams wakes up to Slide Rock fire smoke

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srfw-140522-02WILLIAMS – The citizens of the City of Williams woke up with a reminder of just how serious the fire in Oak Creek is. Like Flagstaff yesterday, Williams seems to be receiving smoke from the Slide Rock fire. The City of Williams is almost 39-miles from the south edge of the fire threatening Kachina Village and Forest Highlands.

About 3,000 residents of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands have been warned to evacuate. An email we received indicated that Munds Park and Mountainair may be evacuated if the fire jumps I-17, but we have found no official information.

The fire, reported at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, started about 5 miles north of Sedona just north of Slide Rock State Park. the fire has grown to 4,830 acres due to high winds and difficult terrain. The difficulty of fighting the fire and the swiftness of its spread is also caused by lawsuits generated by “green” organizations which prevent the forest service from ridding the forest of fire fuels. This also forces the forest service to fund legal fees over maintaining the forest.

As of last night, fire managers saw very active fire behavior including runs, spotting, and torching as the fire became established in the upper Sterling Canyon area. Crews quickly responded with burnout operations along forest service road 535 west to State Route 89A to the north. Fire retardant was also used heavily in steep terrain along the west flank with good results. The latest word from the Coconinco County Sheriff’s Office hotline is that 89a is open and passable, but motorist are cautioned about the smoky conditions causing limited visibility. For motorist for respiratory conditions, you might consider Interstate 17 to State Route 179 to get to Sedona.

The fire transitioned to a Type I Incident Management Team bringing many additional resources to the fire. 840 fire fighting personnel are battling the blaze including Hot Shot crews and air craft.

Approximately 300 structures, private homes as well vacation resort cabins and a Forest Service lookout tower.

While the fire is under investigation, it appears to be human caused. Law Enforcement is seeking any information the public may have regarding the start of the Slide Fire and anyone of suspicion in the area yesterday between Slide Rock State Park and Half Way Picnic Area. The public should call Forest Service Law Enforcement at 928-527-3511 if they have any information that might assist law enforcement in the investigation.

As of late, Kaibab National Forest has not indicated a closure of the forest. Bob Pena, a local resident with 28-years of fire fighting service, said that the forest service does not evoke closures until the fire danger reaches extreme. Current fire danger is high.

Northern Arizona is still waiting to see what thunderstorms predicted over the weekend will bring. It is hoped that sufficient rainfall will assist fire fighters on the Slide Rock Fire as well as dampen the other forest areas to prevent new problems.
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Run for the Wall arrives today

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r4tw-2006-01FLAGSTAFF/WILLIAMS – The riders of Run for the Wall are expected to start arriving in Williams in two groups today. The first group will arrive and continue on to Flagstaff while the second will stop in Williams.

The first group of Vietnam veterans will start arriving at about 4:30 and will stop for fuel before continuing on to Flagstaff.

The second group will arrive at about 6:30 and start the traditional Run for the Wall motorcycle parade down historic Route 66. They will proceed to the American Legion Cordova Post #13 to be served dinner by volunteers from Williams.

Run for the Wall is an annual event in which Vietnam veterans ride to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. arriving on Memorial day. The event is over twenty years old and the mission is to allow healing for Vietnam veterans and their families and to call attention to the fact that the national government has still not demanded a full accounting of prisoners of war and those missing in action from the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Weather good for weekend events until Saturday

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Photo – City of Flagstaff web site.

FLAGSTAFF, WILLIAMS – The National Weather Service long-range forecast shows mostly clear skies with cool temperatures for the heavenly viewing at the Glassburn Natural area across from the laundry and Rod’s Steak House on Railroad avenue. Everyone is welcome to come and take a peek through the telescopes set up by the Coconino Astronomical Society. The viewing starts at 7:30 and will end around 9:30.

Saturday there is a 10% chance of showers, but that is after 11 pm. Plenty of time to take the Art Walk sponsored by The Gallery in the Grand Canyon Hotel in downtown Williams. The walk along route 66 will begin at 6 pm and end at 9. Contact Kris or Tom Williams 928-635-3006 for more information.

The riders of the Queencreek Junior Rodeo might find it a bit wet on Sunday with a 20% chance of showers, but Saturday should be fine for the two day event. Saturday and Sunday the gates open at 8 am at the Bob Dean Rodeo grounds across the street from the Old Trails hardware store on Rodeo Road. The Queencreek Junior Rodeo Association is dedicated to providing a family environment in which children can obtain and develop basic rodeo skills. For more information contact Kelly Martin 928-899-2943 or visit www.qcjra.org

The chance of rain in Flagstaff on Sunday is 10% higher. The big event in Flagstaff, however, is their 12th annual Soar into Spring Kite Festival on Saturday. The event is free and open to the public from 11 am to 3 pm. The event is held at Foxglenn Park, 4200 Butler Avenue in Flagstaff. Most events are free, but there is a $3 wristband for certain rides, laser tag and other events.

There is always Marvelous Marv’s Private Grand Canyon Tour and the Bearizona Wildlife drive through park.

The forests are still open so hiking is available, but NO SMOKING is allowed in the forest due to dry conditions. In fact no smoking is technically allowed (except inside vehicles) at the Buckskinner park reservoir which is still open for fishing.

Also do not forget Sunday is Mother’s day. There are plenty of presents right here in Williams to get her. The Briar Patch provides flowers and gifts and the Route 66 Boutique just opened next door. Treats and Treasures has an assortment of candies and gifts, including coins for coin collectors, and features homemade ice cream. The Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, which just received an award from the Arizona Highways, will be open Sunday for breakfast and lunch. Pine Country and Rod’s Steak House will be open for Mother’s Day and on the east end of town is Twisters and Goldie’s Route 66 Diner.

KZBX brings radio back to Williams

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kzbz-92-radioWILLIAMS – KZBX FM 92.1 radio is on the air. Actually, it has been on the air for sometime, but Station Manager/Owner Leslie Stevens may have finally found a permanent home for the station.

KZBX radio is a non-profit 501(c)3 radio station with an authorized 100-watt output. Currently the station runs only 30-watts and has a ten-mile radius. Les expects the station to be broadcasting full power within a few weeks.

Recently Les has been working on getting all of the FCC requirements in order such as the emergency broadcasting system and Amber Alert. The station moved into the First Baptist Church building until they could convert the storage room in back of the church into a radio shack.

The station has been broadcasting syndicated oldies music radio show. Now it is producing local radio broadcasts. Leslie Sevens has his show from 4 to 6pm on Friday and Saturday. PJ the DJ hosts her radio show from 6 to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday.

As a non-profit, the station depends on volunteers to assist in running the station. He does not run commercial advertising so financial donations are helpful. Other non-profits can make use of the station to broadcast their existence and activities.

Leslie said that he would gladly show anyone who desires to run a show how to run the board and equipment.