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Dinner, play, fireworks, train trip to Grand Canyon and more planned for Feb. 14
Local celebration the only Centennial-sanctioned event

Photo/WGCN<br>
Fireworks will light up the sky in Williams at 7:12 p.m as part of Arizona Centennial celebrations Feb. 14.

Photo/WGCN<br> Fireworks will light up the sky in Williams at 7:12 p.m as part of Arizona Centennial celebrations Feb. 14.

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - Tickets are selling fast for the Sweetheart Dinner on Feb. 14 at the Sultana Theater. The dinner is the only event in northern Arizona sanctioned by the Arizona Centennial, according to Gioia Goodrum, Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce CEO/President.

"It's going to be a very, very nice event," said Goodrum. "The fact the dinner will be held at the Sultana Theater, which was constructed in 1912, is significant. Tickets are selling quickly. Two large groups have already purchased a large number of tickets."

Catered by Camp Civitan, the dinner will feature smoked prime rib or stuffed pork loin with all the trimmings, appetizers and a dessert bar. Doors open at 6 p.m. when appetizers will be served. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks will light up Williams at 7:12 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., dessert and coffee will be served and the show will begin.

"Happy Hunerth, Arizona" - written by Eric Eikenberry - will feature performers from Wild West Adventures. The interactive play will feature music and dancing.

The main character is "Pappy," an 1878 prospector who finds himself in Arizona on Feb. 14, 1912. Throughout the play, Pappy is shocked and surprised at events he witnesses that actually happened in Arizona 1912 to present time.

"If you saw our last performance, you will enjoy this show," said John Moore of Wild West Adventures. The last performance - "So They Shall Not Forget" - was presented in October 2010, also at Sultana.

"I hope this show will be even better," said Moore.

The leading lady is Patty Bell of Prescott. Leading man is local Richard Smith.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Williams Own Veterans Memorial. Sculptor Neil Logan, who is also a veteran, has begun work on creating the memorial.

Logan has also created 50 bronze limited edition plaques to raise money for the memorial's construction. Those donating $500 or more will receive a plaque, which is a replica of the actual memorial. "So They Shall Not Forget" is engraved on the front of the plaque. Each plaque is signed and numbered.

The idea for the memorial was born in early 2010 when Inspirations, a nonprofit organization created for educational purposes, primarily to empower at-risk youth, and the Williams Masonic Lodge dedicated their downtown display window to the veterans of Williams. They continued the display for the Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July holidays. After positive input from community members, the Williams Own Veterans Memorial committee was formed. The memorial was designed from input and ideas offered by the Williams Own committee, local veterans and Logan. A permanent location is still up in the air, with various locations in Williams under consideration.

According to Danny Harness of Williams Own, approximately $45,000 is necessary to construct the sculpture. To date, Williams Own has raised approximately $10,000.

To donate to this fund please make checks out to Inspirations Williams Own and send it to P.O. Box 1011, Williams, AZ 86046. Please support our troops and veterans. To find out how you can help or for more information, contact Sue Tamulevich at (928) 814-9899 or Danny Harness at (928) 814-1279.

The cost to attend the dinner and play are $50 each and can be purchased by visiting experiencewilliams.com. Payments can be made using PayPal or visit the Williams-Forest Visitor Center, 200 W. Railroad Ave. Tickets can be purchased in person with a check or cash.

The Arizona Centennial Train will depart the Williams Depot at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 to the Grand Canyon pulled by vintage steam locomotive 4960. In honor of this historic occasion, Grand Canyon Railway is offering round-trip coach class tickets for $7.50 per person - the same cost as in 1912. Coach seating will be in the fully refurbished historic Harriman-style coaches. Also, the Winslow Harvey Girls and the Bill Williams Mountain Men will be onboard to provide narrative information and stories from Arizona's history.

Book Centennial GCR tickets for Feb. 14 train by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN or visit thetrain.com.


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