Castle Peak Holdings recently added Trailborn Grand Canyon to its collection of hotels and resorts strategically placed in supply-constrained outdoor destination markets. Trailborn, a new hospitality brand, focuses on markets including national park gateway towns, beach towns, wine country and ski resorts. Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams is the company’s fifth endeavor, joining a portfolio of properties, including those at Highlands and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; Estes Park, … [Read more...] about Trailborn Grand Canyon Debuts in Williams, Fusing Western Roots with Futuristic Amenities
Williams
Wine, Food, Festivities to Flow at Verde Valley Wine Festival
Wine lovers and festivalgoers will once again flock to Cottonwood’s Riverfront Park this spring as the Verde Valley Wine Festival makes its highly anticipated return 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 10. Now in its seventh year, the popular event will bring together more than 20 wineries from across the Verde Valley and beyond. Attendees can sip their way through some of Arizona’s finest wine selections while enjoying craft beer, spirits, food from local eateries, live music and artisan shopping … [Read more...] about Wine, Food, Festivities to Flow at Verde Valley Wine Festival
All Aboard for Sustainability: Grand Canyon Railway to Debut Battery-Powered Train in 2027
Future passengers on Grand Canyon Railway will arrive at the South Rim with little fanfare or noise, as a battery-powered electric locomotive is added to the fleet. The Williams-based railway announced in late 2024 that it was awarded a $3.4 million federal grant to convert one of its diesel locomotives to a zero-emission battery-electric locomotive. Xanterra, the parent company of GCR, will pay 20% of the conversion cost under the U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreement. “This … [Read more...] about All Aboard for Sustainability: Grand Canyon Railway to Debut Battery-Powered Train in 2027
Motel 6 Shift to Shelter Adding Needed Beds
Construction work to convert a Flagstaff Motel 6 into a homeless shelter is nearing completion after a number of setbacks. Flagstaff Shelter Services bought the 104-room motel on Lucky Lane in April 2023 for $8.95 million. When completed, the FSS transitional shelter will increase capacity by more than 40%. “We’re rounding the bend on, unfortunately, two years of construction in that spot. We have hit a ton of hiccups,” said Ross Schaefer, FSS executive director for the past decade. The FSS … [Read more...] about Motel 6 Shift to Shelter Adding Needed Beds
Paws 4 Hope Fundraising Event for Cancer Patients Offers Pet-Friendly Fun
Cancer Support Community Arizona is hosting its annual Paws 4 Hope charity event, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 3 at Bushmaster Park in Flagstaff. The fun-filled, free community festival, presented by Purina and Warner’s Nursery, is designed to bring together pet lovers, their furry companions and the community for a day of fitness, fun and fundraising, all to support Cancer Support Community Northern Arizona. Cancer Support Community Arizona uplifts and strengthens people impacted by cancer by … [Read more...] about Paws 4 Hope Fundraising Event for Cancer Patients Offers Pet-Friendly Fun
Flagstaff Celebrates International Dark Sky Week with Stargazing, Music, Commemorative Brew
Mars and Jupiter are set to shine during International Dark Sky Week in Flagstaff, the world’s first and largest International Dark Sky City, with a full week of events, April 21-27. Organized by the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition (FDSC) and its partners, the celebration highlights the region’s commitment to preserving natural night skies through nightly stargazing events, the arts and community gatherings. As a warm-up to the official week, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is offering a … [Read more...] about Flagstaff Celebrates International Dark Sky Week with Stargazing, Music, Commemorative Brew
Snowy March Keeps Winter Alive at Arizona Snowbowl
Thanks to March snowstorms that delivered more than eight feet of snow to Arizona Snowbowl, ski resort officials are reporting ideal spring skiing and snowboarding conditions. And with more than 80% of trails open, Snowbowl is expecting to hold on to winter through April. “Spring’s soft snow, longer daylight hours and fewer crowds are making this the perfect time to enjoy late-season turns!” said Snowbowl Marketing Manager Angie Grubb. In addition, with mild temperatures and sunny skies in … [Read more...] about Snowy March Keeps Winter Alive at Arizona Snowbowl
Verde Valley Business Boot Camps Teach Principles of Sustainability
Thirty-week-old Rhode Island Red Chicks will be making a short trip in mid-April from a supplier in Tucson to the U.S. Post Office in Cottonwood. These top egg producers will be traveling in a little cardboard box with holes in it and enough nutrients to feed them on their journey. When the chicks arrive, a postal worker will call Marcus and Jill Thompson, managers of ECO Farm, a nonprofit model of sustainable and regenerative farming on East Highway 89A in Cottonwood. The Thompsons said they … [Read more...] about Verde Valley Business Boot Camps Teach Principles of Sustainability
‘The Barn’ Blooms: Verde River Growers Unveils New Indoor Oasis
The new retail building at Verde River Growers (VRG) is not only a pleasant and spacious place to shop for exotic plants and flowers, the climate-controlled environment is a great respite from the weather outside. “We call it ‘The Barn,’ keeping with our farmer’s market theme,” said VRG Manager Lindsey Curé. “The Barn brings 3,600 feet of a modern farmhouse feel, sprouting with new product lines and energy. There was a lot of preparation, and the work was done in stages.” The project took 14 … [Read more...] about ‘The Barn’ Blooms: Verde River Growers Unveils New Indoor Oasis
Shipping Day on Babbitt Ranches: A Scene Out of the Old West
Western traditions ride on in the high country of Babbitt Ranches. A quiet outpost known as Tin House Camp roars to life each year on Shipping Day as cowboys on horseback round up hundreds of healthy, free-range heifers and steers that they’ve worked all year to raise. Ranch Manager Clay Rodgers calls it “Super Bowl for the Cowboy World.” Watch now on Zonie Living at Star Worldwide Networks … [Read more...] about Shipping Day on Babbitt Ranches: A Scene Out of the Old West
