Santa is making the rounds. After a fun-filled parade to open the Christmas season in Blythe, CA, he and his sleigh are heading to Quartzsite on Saturday.  Let’s show him we have the spirit!

While you are waiting with glee to see the parade, why not enjoy some soup and chowder and support Operation Hero Comfort over at the QIA on Ironwood. The soup and chowder raises funds for the Friends of The Quartzsite Food Bank and Operation Hero Comfort raises funds to mail care packages to the troops. Both are good causes and worth a donation.

On Friday the 9th, QIA is having a health fair hosted by La Paz Regional Hospital. Covenant Lutheran Church will be having a garage sale from 9 am-12 pm.

Health Fair
December 9, 2016 7:00 am – 11:00 am @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

Covenant Luthern Church Garage Sale
December 9, 2016 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Operation Hero Comfort & Soup and Chowder Festival
December 10, 2016 Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA) 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (noon-4 pm for soup until gone)

 Quartzsite Christmas Light Parade
December 10, 2016 Quartzsite Main 7:00 pm

It’s time for the annual Christmas parades and thankfully they are not on the same day. This weekend Blythe, CA (22 miles west off I10) is having their parade on December 3rd at 5pm. It is always wonderful and well worth the drive. Get there early to stake out a good spot and don’t forget chairs, blankets, and hot cocoa.

Lake Havasu City is also having their Boat Parade of Lights tonight and tomorrow at or rather under London Bridge.

For you foodies, we have the VFWs Chik-Nik which also includes an ATV Rally and a chili and cornbread fundraiser at Covenant Lutheran Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints will be hosting an Emergency Preparednesss Expo which I expect will include emergency food stuffs which can come in pretty handy when you need something to cook dinner but are too far out in the boondocks for a quick run into town. I use them myself!

QIA will be doing a craft faire and yard sale on Saturday.

Blythe Christmas Parade
December TBA, 2016 Blythe CA – Hobsonway 5 p.m

Annual Boat Parade of Lights
December 2 – December 3, 2016 @ 6:30pm Lake Havasu-London Bridge

Fraser Memorial Chik-Nik and ATV Rally
December 3, 2016 VFW Post 769 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Emergency Preparedness Expo
December 3, 2016 9:00 am – 1:00 pm @ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

QIA Craft Faire
December 3, 2016 9:00 am – 1:00 pm @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

QIA Yard Sale
December 3, 2016 9:00 am – 12:00 pm @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

Local Chili & Cornbread Community Bible Church Fundraiser
December 3, 2016 11:00 am – 3:00 pm @ Covenant Lutheran Church

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Saturday it is time to Shop Small (business) in Quartzsite to support your local vendors and snag a discount or two. Tyson Wells Gift Shop is offering 15% off on Games & Quartzsite 150 items.  You can also shop Santa’s Workshop Arts & Crafts Show. There should be plenty of talent on display and it is so much fun to shop for the unusual that can’t be found in stores.

If you are looking for more to do, how about hanging out at the car show or dancing the light fantastic at the QIA?

Santa’s Workshop Arts & Crafts Show
November 26 – November 27, 2016 Tyson Wells Showground 9 am – 5 pm

Shop Small Saturday
November 26, 2016 Quartzsite Chamber & Tourism 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Car Show
November 26, 2016 6:00 pm @ 76 Station

Dance QIA
November 26, 2016 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

What a great combination we have coming up this weekend! If you feel like a short road trip, the Annual Sand, Water, and RV Expo awaits in Lake Havasu State Park. Per their website “Welcome to the 5th Annual Sand-Water-RV Expo in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts of off-roading, RVing and boating. The 2016 Sand-Water-RV Expo captures the spirit and passion of these complementary outdoor recreation activities, providing motivated consumers the opportunity to browse, compare and shop for the latest and greatest in off-road vehicles, trucks, sand rails, ATVs, UTVs, 4x4s, buggies, golf carts, motorcycles, electric vehicles, RVs, toy haulers, travel trailers, power boats, pontoons, personal watercraft, kayaks, paddleboards, and all related accessory products and services.” Food and beverage will also be available and there will be a Cornhole Tournament with categories for adults, seniors and juniors in both single and doubles/team competition with a  $500 cash prize pot for winners.

Annual Sand, Water & RV Expo
November 19 – November 20, 2016 Lake Havasu State Park, Lot 4 (Windsor Beach) 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sat, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Sun

November is here  and two more venues have opened, Rice Ranch and Greasewood. Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran’s Day and thank our veterans for putting their lives on the line to protect ours. There will be a ceremony at the VFW in the morning followed by a wonderful cookout at Gunny’s RV Park. However you may feel about our country at the moment, be sure to hug a vet and say thanks tomorrow.

For you folks who missed the last yard sales or didn’t get enough yet, check out the Rainbow Acres Yard Sale from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm November 11th-12th.

On the 15th, we have the annual spaghetti fundraiser for Celia’s Rainbow Gardens. If you have never been to the gardens, you really should take the time to go see them this season. It is a beautiful and interesting area dedicated to the daughter of Paul Winer and many other lost loved ones.  When you are done, go support them and eat some great spaghetti!

Rice Ranch “Yawl Come” Show
November 1, 2016 – April 1, 2017 55 E. Kuehn St.

Greasewood Swap Meet
November 2016 – April 2017

Veteran’s Day Ceremony
November 11th, 2016 VFW 120 S. Palo Verde, Quartzsite, AZ

Gunny’s Annual Veteran’s Day Cookout
November 11th, 2016 Gunny’s RV Park & Military Museum 735 West Ocotillo Ln

Spaghetti Fundraiser for Celia’s Rainbow Gardens
November 15, 2016 QIA 5:00 pm

Westpark Resort , 311 Moon Mountain Ave, will be having several yard sales Friday and Saturday, November 4th and 5th. 8-3.

Quartzsite Elementary is having a yard sale inside the Gym on Nov. 5th. They are renting out spaces for 10.00 so go make some money. They will be having baked goods and selling lunch. If you have any questions give them a call at 928-927-5500. Hours are 8-1.

QIA Yard Sale Nov. 5th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

We also have some other fun things going on:

QIA Craft Faire Nov. 5th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm @ Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA)

Rotary’s Run, Walk, Rock n’ Roll Nov. 5th 8:00 am – 10:00 am

Rotary’s Wild West Gamblin’ Hall Dinner/Games Nov. 5th 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Halloween is almost upon us. Sorry for the late post. Tomorrow night there will be a Halloween party and a spooky haunted house at the Community Center. I expect there will be lots of folks in “Snowbird” costumes there so don’t miss out on the fun. Be sure to watch out for the little ghosts and goblins while driving around town tomorrow.

The Quartzsite Market Place Street Fair  also opens tomorrow on Kuehn St. Oh goody! More shopping! November 1st,  Rice Ranch and Greaswood officially open as well.

Quartzsite Market Place Street Fair
October 31, 2016 – March 1, 2017 50 E. Kuehn St.

Annual Halloween Party, Haunted House
October 31, 2016 Community Center

Rice Ranch “Yawl Come” Show
November 1, 2016 – April 1, 2017 55 E. Kuehn St.

Greasewood Swap Meet
November 2016 – April 2017

Welcome to winter in Quartzsite! Some folks are starting to arrive to get those primo spots and vendors are starting to open. There’s lots of excitement as the city gets ready to host thousands of visitors and vendors cross their fingers for a good crowd looking to buy. Campers, of course, are just looking for a good time with some good entertainment, some good buys, good food, and good company around an evening campfire. Be sure to check our events schedule while planning so you don’t miss anything.

Here’s what we have for you this coming week:

Quartzsite Farmers Market
Every Wednesday 8-noon at east end of Desert Gardens, I-10 (Exit 17), then east on Frontage Road

Hi Ali Swapmeet
October 1st, 2016 – March, 2017  120 West Cowell Street

Good Ground Trading Swapmeet
October, 2016 – March, 2017

Liquidator Depot Swapmeet
October, 2016 – March, 2017

Main Street Gem & Mineral Swapmeet
October, 2016 – March, 2017

Fish Fry Friday
October, 2016 – March, 2017 Fridays VFW 120 S. Palo Verde, Quartzsite, AZ

Tyson Wells Market Center Swapmeet
October 01, 2016 – March 31, 2017 121 W. Kuehn St.

For all you early birds, this is how we start off a fun season in the Arizona desert! Don’t miss the Bluewater Desert challenge up in Parker, AZ. Per their website, “It is a great two-day race in Parker, AZ.  Bring your race vehicle and your boat, because when you aren’t racing you can watch great racing from your boat along the mighty Colorado River! We welcome the Motorcycle & Quad community to this great race and you’ll have your own race both on Sat & Sun!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 – Draw for start positions and deadline to get your name & sponsors listed in the Souvenir Event Program.”

Bluewater Desert Challenge
October 6 – October 9, 2016 Bluewater Casino, Parker, AZ