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Editorial<br>Too many events missing a ‘how can I help’ gesture<br>

March will bring the Williams Rotary Club Western Auction and we will select a new Miss Route 66 in April. The Flagstaff Velo Bike Race rides into town in May along with Rendezvous Days and a black powder shoot. The town will rumble in June when the Arizona Harley Owners Group zooms into town to celebrate their annual rally. The Fabulous 50s Ford Club plans to return in June for their national car show.

July begins with a bang during the Small Town Fourth of July celebration featuring our hometown parade and one of the best fireworks displays in the state. The 12th Annual Great Escape Rally will return in addition to the Bow Hunters Happening and the Cow Punchers Reunion Rodeo. August never disappoints us with the return of the Cool Country Cruise-in and Route 66 Festival. The Labor Day PRCA Rodeo will remind us that the end of summer is near when it returns in September.

The biggest event in Williams will occur when the first-ever Family Fun Fall Festival is celebrated Oct. 6-10. The event is sponsored by Grand Canyon-Northland Amusements and Adventure, LLC and promises to bring more than 60,000 folks to Williams. Numerous bands and entertainment as well as a major recording act complete with a first class carnival will be offered throughout the weekend. We look forward to learning more about the FFFF as details are revealed.

We look forward to the return of the Polar Express™, sponsored by the Grand Canyon Railway, in November. Mountain Village Holiday, featuring the increasingly-popular Parade of Lights, will light up the city of Williams through Jan. 1.

The list of things to do in Williams includes more than the festivities described above. While the events are not only for us, but for visitors to our community as well, many of these events would not happen if it weren’t for volunteers. In 2004, the Rendezvous Days celebration was scaled back dramatically. There was no parade or arts and crafts vendors. When folks discovered the missing events, there was a public outcry. “How dare anyone cancel our event.” “Are we canceling Christmas next?” These were just a few comments heard after last Memorial Day Weekend.

Unfortunately, we live in an age where everyone wants to be entertained. Most residents enjoy attending parades downtown and strolling through arts and crafts vending areas. This office received numerous complaints last year in reference to the lack of activities during Memorial Day Weekend. Interestingly enough, out of all the complaints registered, not one person asked if they could help bring back the missing events in 2005. Instead, complainers blamed everyone but themselves.

The missing “how can I help” can lead to events being scaled back or not offered at all. Now is the time to review events that are offered in Williams throughout the year. What is your favorite event? It is time to select a favorite. Once you’ve picked your personal favorite event, determine how you can help make that event the best it’s ever been. There is no such thing as too much help. You can make a difference in what your community has to offer.


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