Category Archives: Route 66

Star gazing in Williams and flights in Valle this weekend

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WILLIAMS — Two events are featured this weekend in Williams and Valle.

The Coconino Astronomical Society will be holding their monthly Star Party at the Glassburn lot area across from the laundry and Rod’s Steak house. These Star Parties allow you to view the stars and planets through your own telescope or with telescopes set up by the society. The Star Party season is coming to a close, so you need to get to one before they end. The party starts at about 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9 on Friday.

The Valle Airport Thunder Over Flagstaff begins early with a pancake breakfast at 6:30 a.m. until 10. The rest of the day at Valle Airport is checking out the car show and the various planes of history that fly in. You can also check out the Planes of Fame museum. Prices are included in the flier attached.
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Elvis, Melvis: Music with a-peel on KZBX

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300px-MelvisWILLIAMS — While vacationing in Laughlin, we thought we found the perfect gift for Maggie who manages the Camp Civitan Shop in downtown Williams.

Maggie Peel started her broadcasting career at KZBX 92.1 FM in Williams by broadcasting Elvis tunes for her show Elvis With A-Peel. She even got in early today to purchase her issue of the latest Elvis stamps available at the post office. Thus we got her the Elvis glasses to help get her in character.

Alas, she has changed her format. She still plays Elvis, but added country and contemporary music in the mix. So now her show is just Music With A-Peel. You can hear her show from 4-6 p.m. on KZBX or listen to the show on their web site.

During the day you can meet the mega-radio personality at her day job, and possibly pick up some deals, at the Camp Civitan Thrift Store in downtown Williams next to Old Smokey’s restaurant. Camp Civitan Thrift Shop is currently open from 11 a.m to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Cutting Edge Tae Kwon Do hosts free self-defense course for women

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WILLIAMS — Cutting Edge Tae Kwon Do (Facebook) will be hosting a self-defense course for women only on Saturday, August 29 at 11:30 p.m. The class will be held at the Old Grade School (201 W Sheridan). Learn basic and effective self defense skills. No men; instructed by women. Must be 16 year old and up to participate. Wear comfortable clothes. For more information call 928-637-8736 or 928-707-1344.

A couple of cloud bursts temporarily dampen enthusiasm

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Cool-Country-15-08-08-62WILLIAMS — A couple of short cloud bursts over Williams caused scattered tourists ducking into businesses for relief. The enthusiasm was only temporarily dampened, however, when the sun peeked out again.

Les, Station Manager of KZBX 92.1, saddened by the rain.

Les, Station Manager of KZBX 92.1, saddened by the rain.


About 1 p.m. a dousing caused KZBX 92.1 to fold up their remote. When the sun came out, so did the crowds.

Overall, the even seems to have been as successful as years past. In fact it seems that there were more participants this year. (Although we missed the incredible Marv-Mobile this year.) The crowds packed Route 66 throughout the day only thinning out with the brief downpours. Cool-Country-15-08-08-39

Some came ready for the rain.

Some came ready for the rain.


Elvis isn't dead. He works at Addicted to Route 66 Deals.

Elvis isn’t dead. He works at Addicted to Route 66 Deals.

Cool Country Cruise In in full swing

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CCCIn-15-08-08-01aWILLIAMS — Lime green, canary yellow, cherry red—all colors of the classic car spectrum are represented today in Williams. Although Williams is visited by classic cars all year, this is the event where they are lined up waiting for your cameras.

The annual Cool Country Cruise In—centered around Arizona Highways award winning restaurant, Twisters—is in full swing. Classic cars from every era of route 66 are packed in for display and some are for sale.

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Today is the day to check out the event because most will be gone tomorrow.

Free car wash at Cool Country Cruise In

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Cool-Country15-08-07-01WILLIAMS — Cool Country Cruise In is on in Williams and the weather is cooperating—or not depending on your view. Heavy rain is expected to continue with flash flood warnings until midnight. There is a slight chance of rain tomorrow which should clear up Saturday and remain clear until Monday when more thunderstorms are expected.

This is the first time in recent memory that the event has experienced this kind of weather. Today there was a short downpour with a couple of thunder cracks over Williams causing scattered tourists downtown. It cleared up by 7 p.m. in time for the gun show.

Generally Williams proper receives short bursts of rain in town while the surrounding areas get doused.

Cool-Country Cruise In may expect cool tomorrow

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Cool-Country130809-3WILLIAMS — Rain in the forecast may keep the Cool-Country Cruise In cool tomorrow. There is an 80% chance of rain dropping to 60% overnight and 10% tomorrow. Temperatures are expect to be about 77.

The rain today and through the night will cause difficulty keeping the Spring Fire burning so there should be no problem with smoke.

The problem is that the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning through midnight on August 8. The flash flood warning covers the Kaibab Plateau and all canyon area, including Oak Creek, Sycamore, Marble Canyons and the Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon country areas.

The flood warning covers the cities of Flagstaff, Williams, Jacob Lake, Fredonia, Page, Lees Ferry, Grand Canyon Village, Supai, Valle, North Rim, Tuba City, Munds Park and Sedona.

People arriving for Cool-Country Cruise In today can take in the movie at the Methodist Church on the corner of 2nd and Sherman at 7 p.m. tonight. The screening of Do You Believe? is free.

The Williams Aquatic Center will be open for a free swim tomorrow from noon until 4 p.m.

Get out of town: Explore Route 66

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UPDATED 7/29 4:02 Thanks to Linda Messimer for the correction on Davenport Lake.

WILLIAMS— Williams has the distinction of being the last route 66 town bypassed by interstate 40. The mural on the wall by Circle K is a tribute to that. So while you are here you might want to stay an extra day in Williams to explore the Mother Road.

"On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona." by Dorothea Lange - U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

“On Arizona Highway 87, south of Chandler. Maricopa County, Arizona.” by Dorothea Lange – U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Route 66 gained the name of the Mother Road because of its significance to history. During the depression when tragedy struck the Great Plains—in what was called the great Dust Bowl—thousands took to Route 66 to travel west in search of a better life. This was depicted in the book and movie The Grapes of Wrath.

Route 66 was instrumental in winning World War I and World War II. Old-timers told me of the days when they would watch convoys of men and material moving down Route 66 to be shipped off to war. Most people don’t realize that Interstate 40, and all other freeways for that matter, were started by President Eisenhower who brought the idea back from the German autobahn.

Route 66 has seen a resurgence of interest since it was decomissioned. Williams and Flagstaff have a significant amount of Route 66 still available for travel. The stretch we will examine in this article is from Bellmont to Williams.

Of course it goes down to Ash Fork which is another significant Route 66 town, as well as a railroad center in the old west. Ash Fork history can be seen at the Route 66 Museum in Ash Fork on, well… Route 66.
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Hidden Treasures opens in Williams

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640-hidden-treasures-2015-07-25-03WILLIAMS — Hidden Treasures Antiques re-opened in its old haunt at 125 W. Railroad Avenue next to Anna’s Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe. Troy Troutman moved into the location a few years ago before he moved into the mall. He, and partner Susan Pederson, have moved their stock back into this location.

The stock contains old electronics, books, collectibles and much more. If you broke one of the dishes to grandma’s set, you might find a replacement here.
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How could we forget Bearizona?

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Awesome walk thru lights at night low resWILLIAMS — How could we have forgotten the annual Bearizona Backwoods Bash? Some how this slipped our minds in our article on weekend events.

Bearizona is hosting a Backwoods Bash on July 25, from 12:00p.m – 8:00p.m. This event will be held in the Fort Bearizona walk-thru area of the park and is open to the public.

Live country music throughout the day will set the mood for the event. Kids can jump ‘til their hearts content, get a balloon animal, get some Bearizona ink among other things in the Kid Zone. Barbecue food will be available for purchase as well as local drink selections from Grand Canyon Winery, Historic Brewing Company & all your domestic favorites as well.

Bearizona is excited to welcome the Phoenix Herpetological Society who will be at the event from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with an alligator and an 18’ snake that attendees, who are adventurous enough, can get up-close, touch and get their picture taken with them. There will also be Bearizona’s walk thru animals on exhibit for all to see, as well as program animal encounters throughout the day.

Advance discount tickets for the Bearizona Backwoods Bash can be purchased by going to http://www.eventbrite.com and typing in Bearizona Backwoods Bash. $9 ages (4-12) and $20 (13 & Up). Tickets at the event will cost $11 ages (4-12) and $22 (13 & Up). Tickets will get you into both the drive-thru and walk-thru areas of the park, however the drive-thru closes at 7p.m. Bearizona pass holders get into the event for free.