The Christmas season is an ideal time to discover the charm of the historic
business district in Kingman, Arizona. It is also your one stop shop for finding unique gifts for that special someone. Hint: bath bombs and all natural soaps like those sold at Savon Bath Treats make great stocking stuffers.
The lights are glowing bright at night in Locomotive Park. The shops are decorated for the holidays. Restaurants and microbreweries are offering an array of seasonal specials. And on the afternoon of December 15, the district will be transformed into a vibrant holiday village.
The Kingman Railroad Museum located in the historic depot on the corner of Fourth Street and Andy Devine Avenue (Route 66) has some special holiday displays. At 3:00 P.M. on December 15, with photos from the archives of the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, internationally acclaimed author and historian Jim Hinckley will commence a downtown walking tour from the depot. The tour is full of surprises, tall tales, and even stories of Hollywood history. The cost is $5 per person.
At 4:00 P.M., Kingman Main Streets first annual cookie crawl begins at Black Bridge Brewery on Beale Street. The unique program was conceived as a way to encourage people to discover downtown businesses like Savon Bath Treats, and to bring the community together during the Christmas season. Participants in the cookie crawl will be encouraged to vote for the best cookies as well as the best decorated storefront as they stroll from Mr. D’z and Dunton Motors on First Street and Andy Devine Avenue and along Beale Street with its eclectic shops, restaurants, wine bar, microbreweries, and Savon Bath Treats. Cookie crawl passports will be available for $15 cash at Black Bridge Brewery starting at 3:30 P.M. Prizes for completed passports will be awarded later in the evening. For more information about the cookie crawl – : www.kingmanmainstreet.com
These are just a few of the festivities planned for Saturday afternoon. The organizers of Chillin on Beale, a fun filled evening of cars, cruising and music that takes place on the third Saturday of each month, April through October, will be hosting a special event in conjunction with the cookie crawl. Scheduled from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. is the first Annual Chillin’ on Beale Christmas Cruise In Car Show and Toy Drive. There will be a car decorating contest for most anything with wheels (no entry fee) with trophy awarded at 7:00 P.M., and a raffle with a prize of a $100 Historic Downtown Shopping Spree for ANYONE bringing down a wrapped new toy of $5.00 or more OR a new jacket or coat. All donations will remain in the Kingman / Golden Valley area.
Historic downtown Kingman is a fun and exciting destination any time of the year. On December 15, with gaily decorated storefronts, fresh cookies, music, and hot chocolate to ward off the chill, it will be transformed into a magical holiday wonderland.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America