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John Moore to attend Orlando Film Festival to accept award
Mayor goes Hollywood in Florida

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br>
Ruth MaKerney (left), Buck Williams and Lilly Macks provide old west ambience at the Fireball Run dinner and reception held at the Wild West Junction Sept. 25.

Ryan Williams/WGCN<br> Ruth MaKerney (left), Buck Williams and Lilly Macks provide old west ambience at the Fireball Run dinner and reception held at the Wild West Junction Sept. 25.

WILLIAMS - According to Fireball Run Adventurally participants, the city of Williams knows how to throw a party. And as a result, Williams Mayor John Moore is heading to Florida this weekend.

The Fireball Run, begun in 2007, travels varying geographic areas of the U.S. each year. This year marks the first time participants traveled across the Midwest. Teams made their first overnight stop in Williams Sept. 25, attending an evening reception held at the Wild West Junction.

Upon the completion of the eight-day, 18-city, 3500-mile road rally meets scavenger hunt, rally team members voted and Williams was named the Fireball Run's All American City.

Fireball Run organizers plan to present the award Saturday to Williams Mayor John Moore at the Orlando Film Festival, where a documentary movie of this year's event will be premiered at a red carpet event.

Moore said a number of factors determine which city comes out on top in participant voting.

"One thing was the attitude and friendliness of the community," he said. "Another thing was the prospect for investment and development. They thought that this city was very good for that."

Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce Event Organizer Sue Atkinson said the Chamber Board of Directors voted to send the mayor to the event at a cost of approximately $900.

"That's on the chamber dime," Atkinson said. "It is marketing for the community of Williams to get the mayor out to the event."

Atkinson went on to say Williams' old west flavor was a high point for team drivers.

"They couldn't believe everyone dressed in period clothing for the Williams event and really took it the extra step," she said.

According to the film festival's website, 300 independent filmmakers will be in attendance over the course of the three-day festival.

"It's great exposure," Atkinson said. "Mayor Moore is a true western character. People love it. They eat it up. Our hope is that some of these film producers would be like 'Wow, we really need to make a trip to Williams to see what it is all about out there.'"

Whether or not Williams reaps any economic benefits as a result of hosting a Fireball Run overnight stop is anyone's guess according to Moore.

"I guess I had mixed feelings about it," he said. "They definitely had some high powered, potential investors. I don't know if they will ever come to Williams and do anything. They spent some money here. Didn't spend a lot of time here. It's just another thing that adds to the publicity for Williams."

Fore more Fireball Run information, visit

www.fireballrun.com.


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