Miss Route 66 to be crowned this weekend

WILLIAMS - This year's Miss Williams Route 66 Pageant, in conjunction with the car show, comes with an extra touch of drama - for the first time, sisters are among the four contestants vying for the coveted crown.

"This is exciting, we have a sisterly competition. As far as I can remember, this is the first time we've had sisters (competing)," said Pimi Barrozo-Bennett of the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce. She helped organize the first pageant in 2004, but then turned the reins over to others, Barrozo-Bennett said. This year when they needed someone, she decided she wanted to make sure the pageant didn't fade away.

Small chance of that.

"It just gets bigger every year," she said.

The Cruise-In - scheduled for Friday and Saturday - began with about two dozen cars and had about 250 cars participating last year, Barrozo-Bennett said.

Since its inception n 2004, the Miss Williams Route 66 Pageant has been a success. This year the pageant - to be held August 15 - is sponsored by the Christmas Tree Gallery and "The Backroom," and Williams Realty.

The four contestants this year are Vanessa Rivera, 15; Crystal Heiser, 14; Tiffany Trimble, 16; and Kassie Lynn Milner, 15. Heiser and Trimble are sisters.

Trimble and Rivera were contestants in last year's pageant.

"There are nerves, but we're having fun and that's what it's all about," Barrozo-Bennett said. "It's so neat, all the girls are helping each other. This is really their chance to shine."

Whoever is crowned will have official duties that include appearing at special events and at parades, Barrozo-Bennett said. In addition to the winner, there will be a first and second runner-up and the fourth contestant will get a special sash denoting that she participated in the pageant.

The sashes are being made by Canyon Embroidery, one of the major sponsors of the pageant.

The idea for the Miss Williams pageant began when it was decided that the city wanted its own contestant for the Seligman Miss Historic Route 66 crown.

The pageant is one of the highlights of the Twisters Cool Country Cruise-in and Route 66 Festival. The festival, which draws car enthusiasts from across the nation, is now in its 13th year. It is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Twister's owners Jason and Stefanie Moore do a great job of planning and putting on the event, Barrozo-Bennett said. Twisters is located at 417 E. Route 66.

This year a group from Australia will even be attending, she added.

In addition to beautiful cars and prettier ladies, the festival also features a poker walk. The much-anticipated Burger Burn and the golden oldies sound of Hack and the 57's and Sweet Lemon.

Barrozo-Bennett wants car lovers to know that it's not too late to register to be in the car show. Visit www.route66place.com for details.

Sponsors include Grand Canyon Railway, Colors of the West, Rod's Steak House, Studio 9 Salon, Christmas Tree Gallery and the Backroom, Williams Realty, Canyon Embroidery, Alternative Impressions, Jim L. Winbourn Landscaping, DDL Woodworks Plus and District 3 Supervisor Matt Ryan.