Tag Archives: Holiday

North Kaibab Ranger District Christmas tree permit update

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FREDONIA — As a reminder, the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest is currently selling over-the-counter Christmas tree tags at both the district office in Fredonia and the Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center in Jacob Lake, and all fourth graders are eligible for a free Christmas tree permit as part of the Every Kid in a Park (eKIP) initiative.

Specific dates and times for getting a Christmas tree permit for the North Kaibab Ranger District are as follows:

The Kaibab Plateau Visitor Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Dec. 13 for tag sales. The visitor center is located at the intersection of highways 89 and 67 in Jacob Lake and can be reached at (928) 643-7298.

The North Kaibab District office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays, and on two Saturdays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for tag sales. The office is located at 430 S. Main St. in Fredonia and can be reached at 928-643-7395.

To be eligible for a free Christmas tree permit from the North Kaibab Ranger District, all fourth graders must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present their fourth grade pass. Additional information about the initiative and how to obtain a pass may be found at the official eKIP website.

For those not eligible for the fourth grade initiative, a $15 permit may be purchased.

All Christmas tree permit holders will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. North Kaibab Ranger District tag holders are authorized to cut a tree of any species that is less than 10 feet in height and within the designated cutting areas on the map provided. All sales are final, and no refunds will be made.
The Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest also have Christmas tree tags available. For detailed information on those tags as well as additional information on North Kaibab Ranger District tags, visit the Kaibab National Forest website.

Williams gets ready for the tree

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640-1116-treeWILLIAMS — While snow fell, the City of Williams prepared for the reception of the annual Christmas tree on Second Street next to The Gallery in Williams. Williams received light snow throughout the day starting at about 9 a.m. while Flagstaff had already received a significant snowfall of at least 4″ overnight.

There were some reports of vehicles sliding on I-40, but no injury accidents.

The weather forecast shows snow before 8 p.m. tonight clearing up to mostly sunny tomorrow. The temperature will rise through the week to the upper 50s by Friday and lowering to mid-50s over the weekend. The temperatures in Flagstaff are expected to be about the same.

Spooky happenings in Williams

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Friday 2015-10-30 012WILLIAMS — Even before the ghosts and goblins began appearing on the streets for trick-or-treat, the Grand Canyon Railway made a scary transformation.

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Williams has put on its Polar Express face with the standard sleigh in the park and lights along the railway. They were even playing Christmas tunes.

The Polar Express begins running this Friday, November 6 on the weekends with some special runs over the Thanksgiving period. They will have several runs through December ending with a run on January 2nd and 3rd. This is the big event for the winter, in Williams, and tickets usually go fast. Make sure that you get your reservations made now.

The Grand Canyon Railway also asks families to submit photos for their annual photo contest. See their web site for details or ask before you board the train.

Kaibab National Forest to offer Christmas tree permits

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WILLIAMS — The Kaibab National Forest will sell over-the-counter and through-the-mail Christmas tree tags on a first-come, first-served basis for each of its three ranger districts beginning Nov. 16 and continuing until they are sold out. While tags will start being sold Nov. 16, cutting of Christmas trees can’t begin until Nov. 20.

The $15 permit will allow the holder to cut a tree of a particular species that is not more than 10 feet in height within a designated area on the Kaibab National Forest from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24. No refunds will be made, even if weather conditions prevent access to cutting areas.

Individuals who purchase tags will be provided with a map showing their designated cutting area along with additional Christmas tree cutting instructions. The number of available tags and tree species, locations and hours for purchasing the permits, and contact information for each ranger district are as follows:

Christmas Tree-1 Individuals can also purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail by sending information to the mailing address of the ranger district they plan to visit. It is advisable to call the desired ranger district office in advance to ensure tags are still available. Individuals desiring to purchase a Christmas tree tag through the mail should provide ample time for their permit to arrive. Expect a turnaround time of about 10 business days.

Please include the following with any request for a Christmas tree tag through the mail:

> A self-addressed, stamped envelope (Attn: Christmas Trees)
> A contact phone number
> A check payable to USDA Forest Service

Halloween in Williams

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800-15-10-24 008WILLIAMS — Halloween events have already started around Williams with the decorations. That, however, is not the end of it. You still have a chance to go to one of the businesses in Williams and pick up a contest form. Go to each business on the list and check out their scarecrow. While you are there, get a signature. Turn the form into the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win the Grand Prize.

There are many other events that occur that visitors might want to know about. On Halloween, most of the businesses along Route 66 hand out candy.

On October 28 at 6:30 p.m., the Young Life Lost Canyon camp will host a bonfire, hot dog roast and movies for High School youth and middle school youth (6th – 8th Grade). You can call Bob 928-380-4346 or the First Baptist Church office 635-4692.

Speaking of the First Baptist Church, they will be hosting their annual Fall Festival on Halloween night. There are games and prizes and, of course, candy. This is a safe alternative to trick-or-treat. Across the street at the Family Harvest Church they also hold a Fall Festival.

Another great alternative is the Trunk-or-Treat at the United Methodist Church on South Second Street. Church members park their cars and hand out candy. There are also games and food for the adults.

Most of these events begin around 6:30 p.m.

Of course all of our restaurants will be open for those adults without kids. They probably would not mind if you dress up. Some may even offer a Fall fare to try out. For example the Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe in the Red Garter Inn, which just happens to be open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, offers an Autumn Breakfast Sandwich. It consists of sausage and eggs in between two pumpkin spice pancakes.

300-PetBoutique15-10-20-005If you have not had a chance to get a costume, the Pet Boutique on the east end of Route 66 has pug masks, t-shirts and t-shirts you might enjoy. Plus some costume for your pets. If you are on a budget, you can check out the thrift stores at the Williams Senior Center by Safeway or the Camp Civitan Thrift store on Route 66. Of course they have other new and used products you can purchase. You will also be helping out a great cause.

Don’t be afraid to check out the fun and decorations at the Grand Canyon Railway and Bearizona just east of Williams. You might want to check out the Deer Farm petting zoo on Deer Farm Road. You can get directions to all of the events at the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce in the visitor center.

The key is to make Halloween a safe time for kids and parents. We have not had any reported incidents in Williams as far as candy and cookies that are handed out. However there is a lot of traffic. So make sure you carry a flashlight. You can purchase glow-lites and necklaces at Safeway, Family Dollar and Dollar General to light up your kids.

Williams Independence Day parade a smashing success

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640-015-07-04-05WILLIAMS — If Facebook is any gauge, it appears that the historic Route 66 Williams Independence Day parade was a rousing success. Pictures and videos of the parade appeared from Richard Goettel of Phoenix and local resident Brenda Carter. Brenda even caught the Mayor directing traffic.

There was some concern that it might be a wash. Rain came down starting about two hours before the parade, but cleared up. While clouds darkened the city and threatened more rain, it never came.

The parade began with the members of the American Legion Cordova Post #13 carrying the colors. They were followed by the Vietnam Veterans of America. Smokey the Bear was the parade Grand Marshall.
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The American Legion Post and Vietnam Veterans were joined by the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion and Matthew Broehm VFW Post.
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A new addition is the War Memorial Museum of Arizona in their 1942 WWII half-track.640-15-07-04-16It would not be a Williams parade without the Bill Williams Mountain Men—official ambassadors of the State of Arizona, the tractors and the classic cars.
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640-15-07-04-34It was good to see Bearizona in the parade this year. The were promoting their upcoming Backwoods BBQ July 25.

640-15-07-04-11Save Meant to Rescue had a tremendous float this year. They get our vote for Number 1. They were surrounded by pets rescued by new owners.

Overall the parade was the best we can remember.
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Happy Honor America Days!

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honor-americaHappy Flag day and Flag Week!

Title 36, United States Code, Section 112 (Public Law 105-225) declares this Honor America Days. The 21-days between Flag day and Independence Day are days in which:

Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities during that period at which the people of the United States can celebrate and honor their country in an appropriate way.

President’s have simply mentioned in the Flag Day proclamations such as that by Barrack Obama on June 12.

Williams remembers those who passed

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20150525aaWILLIAMS — After the graduations, the parade, the roping and all of the other Memorial weekend activities, Williams ended with a memorial service to honor those who went to serve our country and did not return.
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Veterans and the families of loved ones who have passed gathered in the Williams Cemetery to honor their memory. The solemn occasion was accompanied with a 21-gun salute and the playing of taps by Lu Carle. Volunteers assisted in the placing of flags to mark the resting places of veterans. Some with only a small marker to indicate their presence.
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The event was scheduled by “Perico” Avila and the American Legion Cordova Post #13. Father Killian of St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church gave the invocation.

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, we could not get the names of all of the participants.

Memorial parade over

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American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard leads the parade.

American Legion Cordova Post #13 color guard leads the parade.

WILLIAMS — The Williams Memorial Parade went off with only a few drops or rain felt. The parade was led by the color guard of the American Legion Cordova Post #13. Along with the emergency first responders of the Kaibab National Forest and Williams, businesses and organizations joined to create the parade lasting just shy of 30-minutes.

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