WILLIAMS — The Kiwanis Route 66 Street Market is still open and runs through Labor Day weekend. The Street Market is located on Route 66 on the west end of town across from the Williams Memorial Park. The proceeds from the event benefit the projects of the Kiwanis Club such as the scholarship program.
Category Archives: Kiwanis International
Route 66 Street Market still open
WILLIAMS — The Route 66 Street Market still growing despite the wet weather which threatens it. While we still have a rather high chance of rain, the rain seems to be holding off until the evening and night hours.
The Route 66 Street Market is located on the west end of town across the street from the Williams Memorial Park. The Market benefits the scholarship efforts of the Williams Kiwanis Club.
There remains a 40% chance of rain today dropping to 20% tonight. There is a 30% chance tomorrow during the day dropping to 10% Sunday night. The good news for drenched Williams is that the long range forecast through the week shows mostly clear and sunny through next Wild West Weekend.
The Wild West Weekend activities run June 19th and 20th and the Route 66 Swap Meet will be open and waiting for you.
Vendors starting to set up at the Route 66 Street Market
Early shoppers get the best deals.
Spaces are $10 a day or $25 for the weekend, whether a three- or four-day weekend. There is an additional $5 per night for those desiring to stay overnight.
The proceeds from the Route 66 Street Market benefit the projects of the Kiwanis Club International of Williams.
Williams says good-bye to Run for the Wall
Corrected 5/14/2015, 11:59 p.m.
WILLIAMS — The sun was lower than normal as The Riders of the 2015 Run For The Wall event rolled into town later than usual. They even managed to miss the snow predicted for this weekend.
Run for the Wall has stopped exclusively in Williams in the past. For the last two years, the group has split with some proceeding to Flagstaff as the popularity of the event grows. The Williams group conducted their normal parade down historic Route 66.
After which they formed up at the American Legion Cordova Post #13 where volunteers from the community served dinner and deserts for the riders.
The American Legion dedicated the event to the memory of the late Richard Aguilar. Richard was a member of the post and worked hard every year to make this event successful.
Rain did come the next morning as they gathered to have breakfast at the Wild West Junction. Mayor John Moore has been supportive of the event since he took office. He even came out in the blizzard of 2011 that met the group when they arrived.
The annual event is run to keep the memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action alive. There was some good news in 2014 with the remains of 14 Vietnam Veterans located and returned and their names removed from the Vietnam Veterans memorial.
Walt “Detour” Reichard is a Vietnam Veteran from Virginia and the Virginia State Coordinator for Run For The Wall. His motorcycle reflects the dedication of the rider of this event right down to his license plate. It reads simply “R4TW.”
Walt said that he makes the ride from Virginia to California only to return on this ten-day ride because he appreciates the dedication of this group. He is a seven-time veteran of the ride.
Sadly, many of the Vietnam veterans are either getting too old to ride or are passing away. The event organizers have opened up the event and active-duty military and some civilians have been making the memorial ride.
Run for the Wall motorcade arrives today
UPDATED 5/13, 9:21 a.m.
WILLIAMS — The motorcycle riders of Run for the Wall will arrive today as their first stop on their ride to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington. The riders goal is to bring attention to the plight of those real prisoners of war and missing in action from all wars. They also honor those active-duty military who carry on the tradition.
On the east coast, Rolling Thunder serves the same function.
Each year the riders plan their journey to reach the Vietnam Memorial in Washington on Memorial Day meeting up with Rolling Thunder.
The riders will stop in Williams tonight to eat at the American Legion Cordova Post #13. They will depart early tomorrow morning after a breakfast provided by Wild West Junction and served by the Kiwanis Club of Williams.
The event was formed by Vietnam Veterans and included them and their families on the ride. The last few years, however, others—including active-duty military—have joined in the ride. The organizers of the event now invite everyone to ride for those who can’t.
Kiwanis Club Arts & Craft fair at Rodeo Barn
WILLIAMS — The Kiwanis Club of WIlliams Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arts & Craft Fairis coming to the Rodeo Barn across the street from Old Trails Hardware store on Rodeo Road. The fair will be Saturday May 16 10 to 7 p.m. and Sunday May 17 10 to 3 p.m. You should be able to find a handicrafted gift for any occassion.
The proceeds from this event benefit the Children’s scholarship and activities such as the annual holiday dinner. Vendors can contact Cookie at 928-699-9036.
Kiwanis hosts another successful community dinner
WILLIAMS – Kiwanis International hosted another tremendous community dinner for Williams. The weather was cool, but sunny for the event held at Doc Holiday’s Steakhouse and Salon, 950 North Grand Canyon Boulevard in Williams.
Visitors to Santa received teddy bears although at times it was difficult to find the jolly elf. There was also a raffle for prizes.
Santa is in this picture somewhere.
One of the activities that Kiwanis International uses to pay for the event is the Route 66 Street Market held during the summer.
Williams prepares for Mountain Village Holiday
WILLIAMS – The trees are starting to look bare as the beautiful fall colors are starting to give way to the coming winter. The long range forecast shows a possibility of snow on Sunday. The city is stringing lights. The Pumpkin Patch train ended and the Grand Canyon Railway Haunted Train has given way to Christmas lights in preparation for Mountain Village Holiday. The annual Mountain Village Holiday begins Thanksgiving weekend and runs through the new year.
The Grand Canyon Railway is also preparing the Polar Express which starts November 7 and runs through the new year.
The City of Williams has sent applications for the annual lighting contest and they may also be picked up at the City Hall on First Street.
Mountain Village Holiday kicks off with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on Second Street and a Parade of Lights. During this period the Young Life camp hosts a Thanksgiving dinner and the Kiwanis Club hosts a community dinner.
There is still plenty of Halloween, of course. The scarecrows still adorn Route 66. Bearizona ends their Howly Growly Owly Festival tomorrow. Their new cave display of small creatures of the west—such as mice, scorpions and Ringtail Cats—will remain.
The First Baptist and Family Harvest Churches, across from Safeway on Grant, will hold safe activities for the kids.
Of course trick-or-treating of the houses and businesses on Route 66 will still be available.
Just after Halloween, the weather forecast shows a chance of rain on Saturday with a low of 37. Sunday there is a 30% chance of snow with accumulations of less than a half-inch. A high of 47 is possible during the day dropping to 23-degrees overnight. Fair weather returns Monday with highs around 50-degrees during the day dropping to the mid-20s at night.
Kiwanis holds 1st Pajama Drive
WILLIAMS – The Kiwanis Club of Williams is working with local businesses and the Scholastic Pajama Drive to collect pajamas for local kids.
With winter coming on, the Kiwanis Club hopes to collect warm pajamas for toddlers through size 16. You can also make monetary contributions to the effort.
All-State Insurance on 1st street is the “Bedtime Sponsor.” National Bank on Route 66 is the “Sweet Dreams” sponsor. The Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue is the “All Tucked In” sponsor and Mountain Ranch Resort at Beacon Hill is the “Sleep Tight” sponsor.
You can donate pajamas or monetary contributions at any one of the businesses. In addition, the Scholastic Pajama Drive will donate a new book for every pair of pajamas collected.
Kiwanis Club art event at the Rodeo Barn
WILLIAMS – The Williams Kiwanis Club will be holding the Gateway to the Grand Canyon Arts and Craft Fair at the Rodeo Barn, 501 East Rodeo Road across from Old Trails Hardware.
The Fair will consist of over 45 vendors selling hand made crafts and art work. Kiwanis will hold a Chinese and Silent auction during the event which benefits their community activities throughout the year.
The Fair will be held May 16th from 11 am to 5 pm and on Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm. Lunch will be available Friday and Saturday from 11am to 2 pm and a pancake breakfast from 8am to 11 on Saturday. A dessert bar and beverages will be available all day Friday and Saturday.