News

• "Out Wickenburg Way" BBQ & Street Dance - Saturday, May 11, 6:00pm - 10:30pm (pdf)
  
  
• Vulture Mine Information – Summer Hours- As Of: May 6th, 2013
  
  
• Wickenburg Chamber Of Commerce Publishes Wickenburg Hispanic Pioneer Families: “Nuestras Memorias”
  
  
• Rainbow of Colors Cover Desert As Flowers Bloom From March to May
  
  
• Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce Sponsored 2013 Calendar of Events (pdf)
  
  
• Family Fun & Fireworks….Out Wickenburg Way! | Small Town Family Fun & Fireworks – Wednesday, July 3rd
  
  
• Cowgirls with a Camera Exhibition and Sale - Cultural Crossroads Learning Center
  
  
• Discover & Explore Tuscany with the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce - Departing October 22, 2013
  
  
• Horses, Hats, History and Hospitality - they're the foundation of our Town- Wickenburg, Arizona
  
  
• 18th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights - "Out Wickenburg Way!"
  
  
• 34th Annual Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival & Fiddle Championship (Nov. 8,9,10) 25th Annual Christmas Cowboy Poetry Gathering (Dec. 6, 7) & 18th Christmas Parade of Lights (Dec. 13) Flyer (pdf)
  
  
• Festival Tourism = Arts & Culture Economic Impact
  
  
• Up Close and Live at the Webb Center
  
  
• Team Ropers Love Wickenburg!
  
  
• Wickenburg’s 200 Year Old Jail Tree was chosen as an Official AZ Centennial Witness Tree
  
  
• Hassayampa River Preserve Now Open
  
  
• New Book Celebrates the History of Wickenburg - Local authors pen history of western town through vintage photographs
  
  
• All Aboard the Drover Caboose!
  
  
• Recharge at The Ranch!
  
  
• Birding in Wickenburg
  
  
• Experience the Old West - "Out Wickenburg Way!"
  
  
• Willkommen "Der Wickenburg Weg"

Wickenburg Chamber Of Commerce Publishes Wickenburg Hispanic Pioneer Families: “Nuestras Memorias”

While the flamboyant pages of Arizona history like to linger around Wickenburg’s gold mining days and the colorful characters and stories from them, some of Wickenburg’s most memorable moments of courage, faith, and public service from its familias. Convinced they could find a better life amidst the social inequities that roiled before the Mexican Revolution, Hispanic pioneers traveled from their Sonora, Mexico homes to this northern reach of the Hispanic ranching frontier.

Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce's book, Nuestras Memorias, recall Wickenburg’s Hispanic Pioneer Families and celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage with photographs and anecdotes from Mexican pioneers that helped tame this desert mining town, as well as their descendants that still live here today. These homesteaders established the town’s first school, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Cattle ranches, worked the area mines, and opened businesses to accommodate the growing community. These are the people who helped make Wickenburg the culturally rich town it is today. Meet the people, their remembrances, and the traditions that make Wickenburg the kind of place where people put down roots.

The 160 page book, published by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce through a grant from the Arizona Office of Tourism, and written for the Chamber by Julia Macias Brooks, a 5th generation descendant and Executive Director of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, who collected and curated all of the photographs. Juan C. Jimenez of Jimenez Design designed the layout with the author.
This book is available from the Wickenburg Chamber Visitor’s Center, and in selected local stores will serve for many years as Wickenburg's Historical Hispanic Families reference, as well as the book of choice for those wanting information on genealogy.
Log onto the publisher's websites www.wickenburgchamber.com or www.outwickenburgway.com for additional information on this western community.

Special discounts available for multiple orders. Call The Chamber at 928-684-5479 or email info@wickenburgchamber.com | Order Form (pdf)

Rainbow of Colors Cover Desert As Flowers Bloom From March to May

Take out in any direction from Wickenburg in late March through May and you will see the desert and roadsides awash in the warm color of Desert Marigolds, Brittle Bush, Lupine, Mexican Gold Poppy, and Globe Mallow.

Like temperamental artist that won’t perform except under ideal conditions, wildflowers make capricious appearances from year to year. If anything fails in their mix of demands, it affects their presentation. A dry autumn can put a crimp in their spring performance. Not enough winter rain and they might not show at all.

Blossom covered Palo Verde trees streak the landscape yellow. Golden yellow blossoms beam from prickly pear cactus. Saguaro’s display creamy white blossoms on the tips of each arm. The long stemmed Ocotillo stems turn dark green and the tips a crimson red. Assortments of smaller hedgehog cacti color the desert floor with pink, red and yellow flowers.

Follow roads in any direction and you’ll find a beautiful palate of colors. Take Vulture Mine Road, or Constellation Road, Rincon Road, Castle Hot Springs Road, or Highway 74. Just north of Wickenburg on Highway 93 is a unique Joshua Tree Forest, each tree when in bloom sporting huge cream flower stalks.

For more information call The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

Family Fun & Fireworks….Out Wickenburg Way!

The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, Town of Wickenburg, & 96.3 Real Country is proud to sponsor the 42nd Annual Family Fun & Fireworks Celebration, Wednesday, July 3, 2013, in historic Wickenburg, Arizona.

The activities will be held at Sunset Park, west of downtown Wickenburg on U S Hwy 60 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Parking for the celebration is off of Highway 60 in the park and nearby. Signs off of the highway will be posted for parking instructions.

You’ll find us singing the National Anthem and raising the American Flag at 7:00 p.m. The colorful aerial Fireworks produced by Fireworks Productions, Inc. will be shot at 9:00 p.m., filling the night with an array of color.

Activities are planned from 6:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m., including music & entertainment, food and drink booths by approved vendors; along with fun activities & games for children and adults coordinated by Cops Who Care.

Join in the fun for watermelon eating, ice cream eating, and hot dog eating contests, and much more!

It’s an old fashioned celebration of our Nation’s Independence, only one day early on July 3rd.

The event is Free to the public. Lawn chairs and blankets are acceptable – No Animals, coolers or alcoholic beverages allowed. Donations accepted.

For more information call (928) 684-5479 – www.wickenburgchamber.com

Small Town Family Fun & Fireworks – Wednesday, July 3rd

The Wickenburg Chamber, Town of Wickenburg, Cops Who Care and 96.3 Real Country is proud to sponsor this annual recognition of Independence Day.

Why on July 3rd instead of July 4th? As explained previously in this column, several years ago changes were made by Homeland Security for Fireworks Displays. Our committee for over 35 years went through a fireworks school with the producer, Fireworks Production, Inc. Once certified they could then man the pyrotechnics for the evening, alongside the Wickenburg Fire Dept.

Since the changes, we have had to make concessions because of larger shows in bigger cities using the companies on July 4th. Our committee decided to keep the celebration, and the concession was to celebrate locally on July 3rd. Technicians from Fireworks Productions, Inc. are the licensed, insured pyro technicians for the show. We hope you will attend on the 3rd and then on the 4th celebrate at your home with family & friends, picnicking, and preparing to watch on television or attending one of the many celebrations near us in larger cities.

On July 3rd at Sunset Park gates will open at 6pm, activities with Cops Who Care begin at 6:30 p.m., and the special opening ceremonies start at 7:00 p.m. The event will have $5,000 worth of fireworks shot off around 9:00 p.m.

You’ll find at Sunset Park, food and drink vendors, along with additional community booths, special contests and fun activities planned. Parking is available at the park, with limited handicap parking, and nearby. WPD and Citizens Patrol will assist with the parking and light plants are stationed along the pathways. Bring your chairs and blankets. No alcohol or Dogs are allowed.

96.3 Real Country Wickenburg Fireworks & Family Fun! Tuesday, July 3, 2013 - 6:30-9:30 p.m. - Sunset Park, Wickenburg, Arizona

Food, Games, Entertainment, Contests, Music & Fireworks!

Donations for Fireworks Fund may be sent to: The Chamber, 216 N. Frontier St., Wickenburg, AZ 85390

Sponsoring Partners: Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, Cops Who Care, 96.3 Real Country, and the Town of Wickenburg

Information online at: www.wickenburgchamber.com, www.outwickenburgway.com (928) 684-0977

Horses, Hats, History and Hospitality - they're the foundation of our Town- Wickenburg, Arizona

For more information view www.outwickenburgway.com or Call Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at (928) 684-5479 email: info@wickenburgchamber.com

18th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights - "Out Wickenburg Way!"

Friday, December 13, 2013 -Historic Downtown Wickenburg - 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by The Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, Town of Wickenburg and APS.

Businesses are finishing their entries, children plan on riding bicycles, marchers are making plans to light limbs and antique cars will be aglow for Wickenburg's 18th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights, Friday Evening, December 13th.

The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. on Yavapai Street in front of the Wickenburg Christian School, traveling to historic Frontier Street near the Chamber of Commerce Office and continuing down Frontier near the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, ending at Tegner and Yavapai Street near the Little Red Schoolhouse.

Visitors and residents around the state will gather to watch the illuminated entries and have the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus after the parade at the awards ceremonies in front of the Garcia Little Red Schoolhouse, off of U S Highway 93 next to Bashas' Frontier Shopping Center, where entertainment and refreshments will be served.

Awards ribbons will be given to the winners in each category, and the "Best Over-All" Entry will receive the "Tinsel Award". Information and entry forms by calling the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce at (928) 684-5479.

A panel of civic leaders will judge the parade entries. Announcers will be stationed at Wickenburg Christian School, Wickenburg Unified School District, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, in front of the historic Santa Fe Depot-Wickenburg Chamber Office and Remuda Ranch on Frontier Street.

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the unique shopping opportunities in Wickenburg.

"Bring Christmas Home from Wickenburg." www.wickenburgchamber.com

Festival Tourism = Arts & Culture Economic Impact

In many communities, festivals and special events are vital to the bottom line of many businesses and the local economy. The economies of these towns depend on the revenue, employment and income that these events might bring. Festivals and special events are growing forms of tourism, especially in rural areas struggling to revitalize local economies.

Festivals and events are attractions that have drawing power and staying power. This means they not only bring in new visitors, but they help keep visitors in the area longer.

Festivals allow even the smallest communities to capitalize on what makes them unique. While visitors are important sources of income and tax revenue, some festivals are organized simply to add quality of life and enjoyment to a community.

The Chamber is proud to produce Wickenburg’s Annual Heritage events, and invites you to enjoy Fiesta de Sepitembre, Wickenburg Fly-In & Classic Car Show, Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival, Cowboy Christmas Poets Gathering, the Christmas Parade of Lights, & Gold Rush Days!

For the entire calendar of events go to: www.outwickenburgway.com or call (928) 684-0977

Up Close and Live at the Webb Center

The Webb Center schedules a wide variety of performances in the intimate, 600-seat venue every year from November through April. Every week world-class artists bring fresh new shows to the stage for locals and visitors alike.

The 2012-2013 season will open with FREE contemporary dance featuring the Stephen Petronio Company, premiering an original piece created in Wickenburg.

Unique to this season is the International Series, featuring artists from around the world, including The Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi’s rhythmic energy; the Russian National Ballet performing the classic Swan Lake; the Jesse Cook Quintet blazing with energy and Latin influenced music; the stirring music and colorful ceremony of The Black Watch and the Band of the Scots Guards; and Latin Grammy Award-winning Lila Downs.

Country and Western fans will enjoy the Riders in the Sky’s traditional Western music, joined onstage by actor Wilford Brimley; classic country performer Moe Bandy teams up with the Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent; and Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives returns with their unique blend of honky-tonk and country music.

Broadway fans will be delighted by the return of Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway in the spring; Wickenburg’s own Caroline Markham will be performing her favorite show tunes, arias and standards; and Tom Wopat and John Schneider, stars of “The Dukes of Hazzard” sing Broadway, country and pop in The Return of the Dukes. The Canadian acoustic duo Dala creates beautiful harmonies with folk classics and original songs; and National Geographic Live! A Photographic Life, showcases photographer Sam Abell’s travels around the world through photos and film.

Capitol Steps will cause side-splitting laughter with fresh, up-to-the-minute musical parodies and dramatic satire, while comedienne Jeanne Robertson will share hilarious stories based on life with her husband “Left Brain.”

Holiday shows include Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, infusing your Yule spirit with their Big Band Swing sound; and in December, The Canadian Tenors return to the Webb Center stage with original and inspirational touch to new and classic Christmas carols.

Those who prefer classical, jazz and standards will enjoy the musical offerings of Sinatra & Basie Live at the Sands, featuring the original Big Band arrangements of Frank Sinatra’s first live album with a 16 piece orchestra and outstanding vocalist. For one night only, piano virtuosos Alpin Hong and Michael Kaeshammer are teaming up, performing a blend of classical with jazz, boogie-woogie and standards.

Call the Webb Center’s Box Office at (928)684-6624 to purchase tickets or visit www.dewpac.org for a full schedule of events, information on artists, and to watch video previews.

2012-2013 Webb Center Schedule

Team Ropers Love Wickenburg!

Team ropers love Wickenburg, and during the months of November through April you’ll find cowboys & cowgirls throwing their loops at various arena locations.

Some of the arena venues include: Town of Wickenburg – Everett Bowman Rodeo Grounds where you’ll find team roping for: Horse World – Beaver Bird; Yost Roping’s-Ty Yost & Others.

OTHER ARENA’S INCLUDE: Simpson Ranch Team Roping– Larry, Sharon & Sage Simpson; The Rancho Rio Equine Facility– Ty Grantham; The Downtown Arena, Tim Pierce-Wickenburg, and McFarland’s Arena, in Aguila. Call The Chamber for details: (928) 684-0977 or email: events@wickenburgchamber.com

Wickenburg’s 200 Year Old Jail Tree was chosen as an Official AZ Centennial Witness Tree

The Town received a 14x17 cast bronze plaque with the information and placed it near the tree where it can be easily viewed by the public. The Town of Wickenburg and the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce submitted information and photographs for the nomination! The bronze character sculpture sits at the base of the tree. Visitors can press a button and hear a narrated story about the tree used as our first jail.

Hassayampa River Preserve

The preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday) from 8am – 5pm, mid September through mid-May, and Friday through Sunday from 7 am to 11am during the summer. The preserve is closed on major holidays.
A $5 donation is requested. Call (928) 684-2772 for information on programming, or visit www.tnc.org

Vulture Mine Information – Summer Hours- As Of: May 6th, 2013

Thank you for your interest in the Vulture Mine. Vulture Peak Gold will offer two-hour, dirt path, guided walking tours at historic Vulture Mine. This historic mine offers you a glimpse of the olden days through a tour of some of the remaining buildings of a once booming mining town. SUMMER hours are in effect May 6th through October 17th.

One tour is available Saturdays only from 8:30am – 10:30am, and starts promptly at 8:30am. The front gate opens at 8:00am and closes at 8:30am.
$10 Donation per person, cash only is required. ID required. www.vultureminetours.com

Directions: 36610 N. 355th Avenue – Wickenburg, AZ 85390
From the intersection of US 60/93 in Wickenburg, travel west on Highway 60/Wickenburg Way, 2.5 miles then turn south onto Vulture Mine Road (Near the Safeway Shopping Center) travel 12 miles to the mine entrance. The entrance is 1/2 mile after mile marker 15. Portable Restrooms are available. Please bring water.

We ask that groups attend our regularly scheduled tours. Please contact us at info@vultureminetours.com to let us know if you have a group larger than 20 and if you have any special needs.

An adult must accompany any child under the age of 18. In addition, if the adult accompanying the child is not a parent or legal guardian, the Parental Consent Guardianship Form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. This form must be presented to a VPG Representative at the time of the tour, and the acting legal guardian must have ID that matches the name on the form. Forms are available at www.vultureminetours.com. Flyers are available at the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce and the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

New Book Celebrates the History of Wickenburg

Local authors pen history of western town through vintage photographs

New from Arcadia Publishing, Lynn Downey and Desert Caballeros Western Museum is Wickenburg. The book boasts more than 200 vintage images giving readers a unique opportunity to reconnect to the history that shaped their community.

Once known as the “Dude Ranch Capital of the World” Wickenburg, Arizona, has had many lives since its founding during the Civil War years. When German immigrant Henry Wickenburg discovered the Vulture Gold Mine in the fall of 1863 and put down roots as a miner and farmer, he also set down the beginnings of the city that would be named in his honor.

Early residents and visitors included miners, ranchers, gunslingers, newspaper editors and saloon keepers. Families made their way to town in the early 20th century and opened businesses, established churches and a library, and sent their children to local schools.

In the 1930s, dude ranches blossomed in and around the city limits and tourists were enchanted by the real Wild West ambience. As the century progressed, people remained in town for generations, while newcomers regularly moved in to enjoy Wickenburg’s desert setting and modern amenities.

Join the Authors for a Book Signing!
Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.

All Aboard the Drover Caboose!

During the past three years, chamber volunteers Jim and Jeanne Bansner have seen a total of 6,020 visitors go through the historic Drover Caboose, located on Frontier Street next to the Chamber of Commerce. Pictured to the right is Jim in his locomotive engineer attire. The chamber manages the Drover Caboose for the Town of Wickenburg as requested by the late Viola Wellik.  The caboose closes for the summer months and will re-open in the fall. For more information, call the chamber at 684-5479.

Recharge at The Ranch!

Who says a ranch vacation has to be all about working hard and getting dirty? The best thing to do after a nice long ride through the Sonoran Desert is pamper yourself with some rest, relaxation and an indulgent treatment from our full-service spa.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to visit The Spa at Los Caballeros, it’s definitely something to put on your “to-do” list for your next trip to The Ranch. Whether you’re looking for relief from sore muscles after a round on our championship golf course, or just an hour or two of complete peace and tranquility, we have exactly what you need to make all of your tension and stress melt away.

Here’s a small taste of the unique treatments you can find at The Spa at Los Caballeros:

• Desert Oasis Massage: Paradise in the desert. A masterful blend of tropical flower essences and exotic sweet lime make up our tropical mango massage oil. This unique blend provides relief of stress, anxiety and depression, while providing emotional optimism. This oil balances the tart and sweet, evoking images of a lush oasis after a desert crossing.
  
  
• “Rusty” Brown Sugar Scrub: Reveal your softer side with this sweet, one-of-a-kind treat infused with brown sugar, oils of sweet almond, apricot kernel and jojoba. This exceptional exfoliating and mega-moisturizing treatment will energize your senses with orange, tangerine and mandarin essential oils.

Next time you visit The Ranch be sure to call us at 800-684-5030 and ask for The Spa, or call directly at 928-684-4869 to book your indulgence—after all, that’s what vacations are for! Our spa is very popular, so we recommend reserving your spa services at least 7 days prior to arrival. Summer Spa Days: Wed-Sat Only