Hello again, and happy spring! What a glorious time of year. The birds are singing, the cactus are blooming, and folks are cruising that ribbon of pavement named Route 66 that is known all over the world.
Welcome to the spring newsletter of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona. I’m Roger Naylor, Arizona author and travel writer, and it’s my privilege to pen these quarterly newsletters that we hope will inform, entertain, and encourage everyone to explore more of the Mother Road.
Finally! For Mother Road enthusiasts, Fun Run is the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and Christmas morning all rolled into one amazing spring weekend. And after months of anticipation, we’re finally on the cusp of the big event.
Fun Run takes place on May 3-5, starting from Seligman, the storied birthplace of Historic Route 66. Watching hundreds of shiny classic cars roll out of town on Saturday morning is a sight not to be missed! From there they cross the windswept plains of Northern Arizona, the wide valleys and rugged mountains on their way to Topock. And it seems like no matter where you pull over, you’ll find a different little party going on. Peach Springs, Hackberry, Cool Springs—there’s food, music, and photo ops every few miles. Of course, the car show judging takes place in Kingman later on Saturday and everyone greets the burros in Oatman on Sunday. It’s such a joy to find so many like-minded people gathered in one place, a vintage tribe celebrating simpler days along the still beating heart of Route 66.
All are welcome to ride along but for those that want to register for the car show in Kingman, you can do so on the Association website. Remember, this is a fundraising event with the proceeds going back into the Route 66 community. Sign up today for the adventure of a lifetime.
https://www.historic66az.com/33-fun-run.html
The National Trust for Historic Preservation wants to hear from you. They want you to share your Route 66 story, to keep that piece of history alive for future generations. They’re collecting 2,026 stories in time for Route 66’s Centennial in 2026.
We save pavement and buildings and neon signs. Those are the sacred bones of America’s Main Street. But it lives and breathes because of people. So here’s your chance to be heard, to weave your thread into the rich tapestry that is Route 66. It doesn’t matter if you grew up beside Route 66, had your first date there, got your first job there, ran a business, took a family vacation, saw a girl in a flatbed Ford, ate the best hamburger of your life, got a haircut from a kindly old gentleman with a big smile, picked up a ghostly hitchhiker, had a flat tire, bought a great souvenir, participated in Fun Run, or just got your kicks there. Whatever your connection to Route 66, make your voice heard.
Go to the website and submit your entry. Provide a photo and a short description of a place along Route 66 and your story. Be part of this unique project. https://savingplaces.org/your-route66-story
For years, Route 66 Motel in Kingman offered weary travelers a night of rest, luring them off the highway with its big bold neon sign. Now it will provide actual homes. Last year, Catholic Charities Community Services, Inc. purchased the property and has begun the process of converting it into permanent affordable housing, which is desperately needed in Mohave County. It will be called Joshua Tree Apartments and they hope to open later this year or early in 2025.
According to Sandi Flores, Senior Program Director Northern AZ, “This property will provide 20 affordable apartment units for Kingman residents struggling to maintain housing due to rising costs. As the property is located near hotels and restaurants, we believe this permanent affordable housing option will assist many who work in the hospitality industry. We will still provide staff onsite who are available for case management and/or resource connections as needed.”
It’s always good news when historic buildings aren’t torn down but repurposed, continuing to be part of the community. And happily, that big neon sign is staying put as well. It will remain where it stands although, they will remove the word “Hotel.” Because now the old structure is a home.
That roar you hear isn’t thunder, it’s the revving of engines. Right in the heart of Kingman, Route 66 (Andy Devine Avenue) gets shut down for a week to get everything ready. Then from May 17-19 it’s three straight days of tire-squealing, rubber-burning street racing. But instead of racing for pinks, participants will be gunning for glory, trophies, and cash prizes.
The Kingman Rt. 66 Street Drags have been growing in popularity each year. The 1/8-mile drag races roar right down the middle of Route 66, with spectators cheering. There will be a full timing system and all safety equipment in place. Drag races start at noon on Friday and run until 9 p.m. That gives participants a chance to tune their rides before the time trials kick off on Saturday. One lead-footed soul in each class will snag the title of “National Street Champion.” What a spectacle! Only an epic highway like Route 66 can handle the biggest legal street drags in the world. www.kingmanrt66streetdrags.com.
There’s a new kind of Woodstock and it’s coming to Flagstaff. This is GeoWoodstock XX, the mega event of the year for Geocachers. Geocaching is a popular and free activity where folks use their GPS or a smartphone app to find hidden containers and log their visit at the site and online. GeoWoodstock has been called the “world’s largest treasure hunt” and has been held in cities all over the country. This year it will be in Flagstaff from May 22-27.
Geocachers from all over the globe come to participate. Ten geocaching events will be held, most of them at Route 66 venues so it’s another group of folks connecting to our beloved historic highway. And of course, having a few thousand people filling motel rooms, eating in restaurants, drinking in bars, and sampling Route 66 hospitality and activities is always great for the local communities. To sign up or learn more, visit the website where they proudly suggest, “Get your caches on Route 66.” https://geowoodstock.com/
No Route 66 town has a more storied Wild West history than Holbrook. It was headquarters for the famed Hashknife Outfit, site of the bloody Blevins shootout, and home of the Bucket of Blood Saloon. The town honors their rowdy past with a fun-filled weekend known as Old West Fest. This year marks the 42nd Annual Old West Fest. It will take place June 7-8 at the Navajo County Fairgrounds and even though it honors a violent era, it’s packed with family-friendly activities. There’s a Junior Rodeo, a Battle of the Bands, BBQ Chicken competition, art show, food, games, and plenty of other entertainment.
June is also when Holbrook’s Summer Dances begin. Starting on June 12 and continuing until July 18, local native dancers perform Pow Wow style dances in front of the Old Courthouse. Dance groups of varying ages participate in the programs, which take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. They share their culture through traditional regalia and dance. And I can say from personal experience, it is truly special to be there in the soft embrace of summer twilight amid the rhythmic music and stylized dance steps. You know you’re witnessing something ancient and powerful. Some evenings may include native artwork, food, or local drum groups. The Old Courthouse is located at 100 E. Arizona Street. www.holbrookazchamber.org.
One of the perks of being a travel writer is that I get to eat a lot of wonderful food. Especially when I always nag my editor into letting me write another dining article. Recently, I scored big when she finally relented and gave me the go ahead to write another story on one of my favorite topics, homemade pie.
There are trendier desserts but pie is an institution. It is an icon of warmth, sweetness, and love. Everything slows down for pie. It takes time to make, and it takes time to eat. Pie is life’s Pause button.
That’s what makes it such a good fit with a Mother Road journey. I always say that there are two places you should expect to find amazing pie: cooling on your grandma’s windowsill and in Route 66 eateries. I’ll include the article here in case you decide to sample that most American dessert. Enjoy a slice at Miz Zip’s in Flagstaff, Pine Country Restaurant in Williams, and Westside Lilo’s Café in Seligman. Just remember to save a piece for me.
Well, that’s it for now. Take advantage of beautiful spring days and get outdoors. This is road trip weather and both Arizona and Route 66 are calling. Look for the next newsletter to arrive in you inbox in July.
If you have items of interest you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter, you can email them to me, Roger Naylor, at [email protected], or to Nikki Terlesky, Director of Operations at Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona at [email protected].
Thanks for being part of the Route 66 family. Happy motoring!