Bigger and better events this weekend in downtown Winslow

WINSLOW-This weekend, Winslow reaches a new point in cultural development as the community has come together, though somewhat separately, to host many events throughout downtown. What they all have in common is that they want to bring something beneficial to Winslow.

What began as a community-organized event nine years ago is a community event once again. Since that time, Standin' on the Corner - park and festival - has been the mainstay and symbol for Winslow's progress and a measure of its pride.

Other community groups joined in to have their own separate events that lend to the overall appeal of the festivities included in order to bring more people of various interests into town.

The glistening of the Just Cruisin' Car Show at La Posada enchants the crowd every year.

This year, an L.A. art collector who now owns the El Gran, made this unique building available to the High Desert Piecemakers Quilt Guild.

The Standin' on the Corner Festival moved from behind the future home of the Winslow Chamber of Commerce at the old Hubbell Trading Post. This change expanded this weekend's festivities to cover 10 city blocks, defining downtown Winslow.

The Standin' on the Corner Festival on the west-end of downtown on Second Street, will begin at 3 p.m. Friday. Performances will include the Hotel California, Mogollon, Tommy Dukes, Rondevous, The Shovelheads, Sounds of Faith Gospel Music, The Winslow Stars National Dance Team and the Budweiser Beer Wagon. Vendors with kettle corn, cotton candy, hot dogs and hamburgers will line up along the west entrance into the First Street Pathway Park. Organizers will be auctioning a guitar autographed by the Eagles.

Also at the Standin' on the Corner Festival, Spike the Super Ball, the official mascot for the upcoming Super Bowl in Glendale, will appear on stage at 1 p.m. Saturday to present Winslow Mayor Allan Affeldt with an official Super Bowl XLII game ball. Spike will be shaking and dancing, and taking pictures with enthusiastic fans.

Also this year, the First Annual Native American Music and Arts Festival will be featured in the heart of downtown Winslow. Organized in only one month, it inspired many in the community, and produced leadership from the Native American, African American and Chicano communities of Winslow.

Native American performers from both on and off the reservation jumped at this opportunity to play in Winslow. They volunteered because it offered a chance for them fit into this weekend's events, which was appropriate to the majority of people who live in and around Winslow.

John Drew Lacapa, an Apache/ Hopi-Tewa comedian, will be entertaining between Native American country western, rock and blues. Champion hoop dancer Derrik Suwaima Davis will also be performing.

Music bands at this event will be Clandestine, Bordertown Natives, Triple Cross, Shotgun Riders, Sir Harrison and the Blues Kings, Project X, Tribe 2, Clasik, C-Rock, the Blue Canyon Band, 9010 Dirt Band, Dusty Country and more. Vendors at this event will serve southern-style barbecued ribs, hotlinks, chicken and catfish, a local favorite from the Desert Scene Elks Lodge. Navajos will also be selling frybread and Navajo Tacos.

By walking further east to La Posada and the El Gran one can view the wide variety of more than 250 classic cars.

Winslow resident Rodney Rucker, a master mechanic who has worked building unusual vehicles for Hollywood, will show some of his greatest projects such as the automotive giant shopping cart, stagecoach and "Sneaky Pete," a hot rod with a '56 Patton tank engine.

Festival organizers offer much more for everyone this year to a festival that brings in people from around Arizona, the U.S. and even from distant parts of the world. Bring your family and friends, and a big appetite and come check out Winslow's greatest days of celebration.

(Editor's note: John Bianchini is the associate editor of our sister publication, The Winslow Mail. The reporter can be reached at (928) 289-2467).

Donate to nhonews.com Report a Typo Contact
Most Read