Crowns and cars set to cruise Route 66

15th annual Cruise-in held this weekend features battle of the bands, Miss Route 66 crowning ceremony, classic cars and more

WILLIAMS - Head down to Twisters 50's Soda Fountain and Route 66 and watch the crowning of Williams' next Miss Route 66 pageant queen. Along with the crowning ceremony, take some time to enjoy colorful vintage cars, great barbecue and a variety of music during the 15th Annual Cool Country Cruise-in.

At 3 p.m. on Friday, current Miss Route 66 Williams April Zicopoulos will be handing over her crown to a new pageant face.

This year, Erin (Lilly) Macks and Kelly Stewart will vie for the esteemed title.

Macks, a Flagstaff High School student, plans to wow the judges with her Tae Kwon Do talent.

Pageant organizer Pimi Bennett said the 17-year-old is sponsored by U.S.A. Tae Kwon Do Center Williams and lists her hobbies as Tae Kwon Do, reading and cosmetics. "Macks' plans for the future include earning her black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and attending college for acting, cosmetics and hair," Bennett said. "Her escort for the crowning ceremony will be Gabriel Long."

Fellow contestant Kelly Stewart is also in the running for the crown. The Williams High School student will impress the judges with her signing talent. James Cunningham will be her escort for the ceremony.

Bennett said Camp Civitan has agreed to be her pageant sponsor.

"The 17-year-old lists her hobbies as drawing, writing and softball," she said. "Stewart's future plans include becoming an animal rescuer."

Miss Route 66 Williams contestants must be between the ages of 14-19, be unmarried with no children, live in the 86046 zip code, and currently be attending high school, college or a trade school.

The pageant is sponsored and presented by Bearizona Wildlife Park, the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce, Safeway, Alternative Impressions, Jim L. Winbourn Landscaping and Property Maintenance, Matt Ryan, District 3 County Supervisor, Williams-Grand Canyon News, Grand Canyon Coffee and Café, Avon Collectibles, Christmas Tree Gallery, Pine Country Restaurant, Pizza Factory, Sundancer and Canyon Embroidery.

Official pageant photos will be by Shirley Photography.

Not only does this weekend offer up pageant entertainment, there will be plenty to see and do when the Cool Country Cruise-in hits Route 66.

The Cruise-in will take place on Aug. 12, the same day as the pageant crowning ceremony, and stretch until Sunday morning when trophies will be awarded at 11 a.m, giving event goers one more day to enjoy the town.

In an effort to help support the event, the Chamber of Commerce has organized a battle of the bands to take place throughout the day on Saturday.

The contest, supported by Pine Country, Colors of the West, Bearizona, Grand Canyon Railway, Rod's Steak House, Cruiser's Café and Conoco gas station adjacent to Safeway, will feature regional bands including The Shifters, No Way Out, Pure Prophet and the Doug Johnson Band.

Performances will take place throughout the day at various locations around Williams. At 12 p.m. the Shifters will kick things off on the train platform at the Grand Canyon Railway. No Way Out performs at 1 p.m. at Cruiser's Café followed by a performance by the Doug Johnson Band at Pete's Route 66 Gas Station Museum on the corner of Route 66, and First Street at 3 p.m. Pure Prophet takes the stage at 4 p.m. with a performance behind Rod's Steak House.

The winner of the battle will be announced at 4:30 p.m. and presented with a $1,000 check. The winning band will then play the Cruise-in sock hop at Twisters at 6 p.m.

Individuals from Yavapai Broadcasting, KAFF Country Radio and Mrs. Route 66 Terry Kafidis will judge the contest.

KKLD The Cloud 95.9 oldies will broadcast live from 11a.m.-3 p.m. The Sweet Lemon will also be performing on Friday night.

The event will include a Burger burn from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Breakfast will be hosted at Twisters from 8-10 a.m. Sunday morning followed by the handing out of awards.