R.I.P.

John McCain

August 29, 1936 - August 25, 2018

A Public Servant

A NEW TOWN CELEBRATES ITS GROWTH

The town I live in, Prescott Valley, Arizona, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend.

In 1978, the year it was incorporated, around 1,500 people lived here.

Now the population is around 45,000 and it is the 20th largest city in Arizona.

(The much older city of Prescott stands at 23rd.)

All of which is to say that the town is whooping it up this weekend.

The streets that run past the town's civic center have been blocked off and food trucks are in place.

Just a few steps away a classic car show is taking center stage.

A car I longed for before I was old enough to drive, a 1950 MG.

The rear of it sported a classy leather suitcase embossed with labels of where it might have traveled back in the day.

On down the street, cars in a myriad of bright colors.

A row of reds, anchored by a very rare Reatta.

Handmade by the Buick Motor Company, it only lasted a few years, due to vibration problems.

The owner of this one said there are a grand total of six members of the Reatta club in Arizona.

Here's one from my era - a '55 Chevy.

A classic and patriotic T-Bird.

The owner of this old buggy told me he was ordered to shave twice a day when he was in the army because of his quick-growing beard.

He said when he got out in 1957 he said "that's it" and he hadn't shaved since.

His lady told me it had been cut back from time to time because of danger from campfires and he said it had been down to his waist at one time or another.

The owner of this beautiful piece of work obviously has a sense of humor.

Check out the rear window.

There were some other indications of humor on display.

A hood "ornament".

That dog may be down to bones but he's still gripping his bone!

A California visitor showed off a shirt from an earlier car show.

Oh and there were at least a couple of what are known as "rat rods".

Nearby, the Theatre on the Green Main Stage was busily being wired for sound in preparation for two days of events and musical concerts.

The weekend includes an Antiques Roadshow style event, a free ice cream social, tribute bands, the largest fireworks show in Northern Arizona and much more.

This little town has come a long way from its earliest days.