Businesses promote ‘Cool Wickenburg Nights’

By Tamara Thomas, Editor

A group of bikers from Bavaria, Germany, came to town as part of their Arizona tour. The group flew into Phoenix and rented bikes in Mesa. They went to Tombstone first, then drove to Wickenburg the next evening. They had dinner and shopped at the Mecca Court yard. The next day they explored town, shopped, and enjoyed the Western feel and charm of Wickenburg. Their Arizona tour included Parker, Lake Havasu, Laughlin, Grand Canyon, and Monument Valley. They are Harley Owners Group, Isartal Chapter Bavaria, Germany.

Local businesses are banding together to promote “Cool Wickenburg Nights,” a concept to draw motorcycle riders to Wickenburg on the second weekend of each month from April through July.

These “biker-friendly” businesses hope to encourage the many motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the valley and state to stop in and enjoy what Wickenburg has to offer - shopping, dining, and overnight stays at local establishments.

The concept of “Cool Wickenburg Nights” is the brainchild of Belinda Neely and Norm Vickerman, owners of Crown King Customs Leather located in the Mecca Plaza.

“The Chamber of Commerce does so much,” expressed Neely. “They advertise and promote Wickenburg so well. But we (businesses) need to draw the visitors to our shops. We need to offer something for them to want to stop and look around and stay.”

Neely told of a couple who rode their motorcycles to Wickenburg recently, specifically for her leatherwork. They spent several hundred dollars in Crown King Customs, ate at a local restaurant, stayed the night at the Best Western Rancho Grande, shopped at other businesses, and ate breakfast the next morning before leaving. These two people spent a lot of money during their short visit to Wickenburg.

“I thought if we promote the town to bikers, it could bring in a lot of business during a time when business tends to get slow,” Neely explained.

Neely, with the enthusiastic participation of a large number of local businesses - many of whose owners ride motorcycles themselves - have taken the idea to the media. A number of motorcycle magazines are now carrying a full-color advertisement for “Cool Wickenburg Nights” and coupons for discounts at local establishments. She is working on a car show, a bike show, walking tours, and has enlisted the help of the Garter Girls and others to provide additional incentives to bikers to stop and enjoy the local color.

The advertisements are touting Wickenburg as the “Arizona’s gateway to great riding,” with Wickenburg being the starting point for rides to Lake Havasu, south to Mexico, north to Prescott, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff.

“This is some of Arizona’s best riding,” said Neely in her press release, “and in my opinion there is no more beautiful riding in the country than Route 89 starting right in downtown Wickenburg.”Businesses such as the Mecca Cantina, Rancho Bar 7, Danny’s Jewelry, La Cabana, Anita’s Cocina, Gold Nugget Gallery, Desert Feather Gallery, Walter Blodgett CPA, The Rancher Bar, Best Western Rancho Grande, Ben’s Saddlery, Riatta Custom Saddles and Leather, Vaughn and Associates Realty, The Chaparral, Tasti’s Edge Knife Shop, A&A Sport Collectables, KJJ Kreations, Valdesign.com, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Horspitality RV Park, Lucido’s Home Repair, Saguaro Theatre, Copper State Cowboy, Twin Wheels Caf/ and others are participating and being promoted as part of “Cool Wickenburg Nights.”

For more information visit www.outwickenburgway.com/ and www.wickenburgchamber.com/bikerfriendly

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