A couple of cloud bursts temporarily dampen enthusiasm

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

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

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

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.

Williams Cool Country Cruise-In on Route 66

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

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.

They’re Coming: Cool Country Cruise in attracts classics

Cool-Country130809-2WILLIAMS—The Cool Country Cruise In comes to Williams again. The classic car show is an annual event in Williams and cars began to arrive yesterday to sign up for the event. Sign up is at Twister’s on Route 66 which sponsors the event.

The event packs the strip with plenty of cars and spectators, so please watch for pedestrians when using Route 66.

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Cool Country Cruise in back in Williams

The Marvelous Marv Mobile one of the lead show cars in the event. Marvelous Marv provides private tours to the Grand Canyon. But in a bigger vehicle.

WILLIAMS—It must be August. The Cool Country Cruise in stretches the length of Route 66 in Williams from Twister’s to First Street. The annual event draws cars, trucks and motorcycles from around the west. The cars are lining up for the big show tomorrow.

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