‘Good Morning Wickenburg' KTVK-TV in town

KTVK-TV will film its “Good Morning Arizona” program from Wickenburg this Monday morning (April 30) from 5 to 9 a.m. (See schedule on Page A/3.)

This is the second year that the show “hits the road” during May sweeps and will broadcast live from the Desert Western Caballeros Museum.

“Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce staff has been working with the producers since mid-February to bring the show live to Wickenburg,” reported the chamber's Executive Director Julie Brooks. “And Wickenburg is the first town to kick off the program's two-week Arizona Road Trip. The show will stage inside the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, in front of Buckshot Babes with ‘Lil Buckaroo Ropin', at the chamber and locomotive, and with the merchants along Tegner Street. It is a wonderful promotion for the town.”

The crew of 30 will be staying at the Best Western Rancho Grande on Sunday, eating in local restaurants, and having their breakfast catered by Darlene Dowdy of Elite Catering early Monday morning. The television station will also pay for security with Wickenburg Police Department.

“Pre-filming at local businesses, attractions and events prior to their arrival will also provide great promotion for our community,” continued Brooks. “The www.azfamily.com will also have photos, websites and more for their television viewers to learn about the communities they've scheduled to visit over the two-week road show.

“Everyone we've asked to be part of the show, which producers outlined from the beginning, has been very accommodating and excited. It's essentially a little ‘mini festival'. In between segments will be pre-filmed local information and more!”

Brooks will meet with the producers and technical crew Sunday afternoon while they determine where filming will be done, morning personalities positioned, and the rest of the activities organized.

The two-week road trip show will air live from some of Arizona's most historic and scenic places. As KTVK's second May road trip, it is a major undertaking for the station with four hours of live programming every morning from a different location.

On-air personalities from the popular show will be onsite, including Tara Hitchcock, Brad Perry, Dan Davis, Scott Pasmore and Olivia Fierro. While the Good Morning Arizona crew works on the ground, helicopter pilot Bruce Haffner will showcase Arizona's grandeur from the sky with breathtaking aerials.

The production crew will be on the road with 15 vehicles, including a Good Morning Arizona Road Trip branded RV. KTVK's hot air balloon will also be part of the road trip in certain locations. The road trip is sponsored by the Arizona Office of Tourism and Navajo Nation Parks and Recreation.

“Our road trip was so popular last year that we decided to visit other cities this year,” said KTVK President and General Manager Mark Higgins. “Because KTVK is known for reflecting the spirit of Arizona and its people, we want to use the power of our air to showcase its beauty and history. New residents in particular will enjoy this introduction to our great state.”

Residents of each city are encouraged to come out and be part of the show between 5-9 a.m. KTVK personalities will give out autographed photos each day from 9-10 a.m., and the first 200 people on-site at each location will receive a special souvenir road trip bandana. KTVK's Sun Safety program with the Shade Foundation will also be featured.

Interested individuals can visit KTVK's Web site, www.azfamily.com, for blogs from the field, travel trivia and photos. Other Good Morning Arizona's Road Trip destinations include: Yuma, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, Temple Bar, Window Rock, Pinetop/Lakeside, Greer, Safford and Globe/Miami.

Print this story

Email this story

Click ads for more information