Joanne Winer
QUARTZSITE TIMES
January 8th, 2005
For some reason, a lot
of people think of the desert as being a sand-filled wasteland that only the
buzzards and other scavengers would want to be in. They have obviously never
been to Quartzsite during the winter season.
Quartzsite is now at the peak of the winter snowbird migration to the south, and
there is so much to see and do now that it boggles your mind sometimes.
With the past few years seeing a shortening of the winter sales seasons, mostly
due to the economy, it seems that the main influx of winter merchants and winter
visitors is packed into just two months of frenzied activity.
There is something going on everywhere in town and the traffic is slowed to a
crawl, some due to construction on the main roads but mostly from the hundreds
of RVs and trailers, trucks and cars coming from all over the country to see
what is going on in this little piece of desert.
There are many major shows that have opened or are soon to open in town now.
The Main Event, Rice Ranch, Prospectors Panorama, Desert Gardens, and Four
Corners Swap meets are all in full swing, with hundreds of vendors vying for the
tourist dollars with some of the most unique items available at the colorful
tents and stores.
You can find anything you want here during the season, but it takes a lot of
stamina to walk all the shows and it can’t be done in just one day.
Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama just opened its big show, and it will run until Jan. 30.
They will also feature an Arts and Crafts show from Feb. 4 to 13. The world
famous POWWOW at the Q.I.A. is going to be held from Jan. 26 to 30, and rock and
gems are what is featured at this annual show, everything you may want to know
about gems and minerals is available there. The Rock and Gem club is also having
daily field trips for anyone who wants to learn about rocks and minerals that
can be found in this area that can be used for making jewelry, bookends, clocks,
and much more.
South of Tyson Wells show on Hwy 95, look for the Big Tent and check out the
Sports, Vacation and R.V. Show that opened Jan 22 and will run until the 30.
You will find everything imaginable to put in your RV to make “roughing it” on
the road much more convenient. The Big Tent is also holding a Hobby Gem and
Craft Show from Feb. 2 to 6, and a Rock and Roll Classic Car Show from Feb 5 to
6. Desert Gardens is also hosting its first Antique Classic Car and Airplane
swap meet, called Desert Days and Desert Nights, on Feb. 5 and 6.
If you get tired of shopping, there is so much more to do — check out the tours
of the Tyson Stage Stop Museum on B-10, go on-line or look for your favorite
book at the Quartzsite Library, take in some of the many jam sessions held by
musicians at the local RV parks, or go dancing or play bingo at the Senior
Citizens Center, Q.I.A. and some of the RV Parks in town.
If crafts are your thing, try your hand at painting and glazing all kinds of
items at Ceramics of Quartzsite on Main Street, take classes in all kinds of
crafting at Donna Daes Craft store behind Mark’s Restaurant, or check out the
classes held at Joyce’s Crafts or Split Rail Craft store, both on Hwy 95N. There
are also several classes in crafts and computers at the Town Library available.
If you love the desert and want to see some great displays of cacti and other
desert plants, please take a walk through Celia’s Rainbow Gardens in the Town
Park.
Be sure to take your camera; this is a very unique botanical gardens that has
been developed by volunteer residents and snowbirds, a one of a kind place for
everyone to enjoy.
There are hundreds of trails to discover on your ATV in the desert surrounding
town, and even a tough golf course to test your golf prowess in the desert.
You can view the desert and town from the air in an ultra light or parasail, or
take rides in small planes.
There are activities held all over town, with something of interest for anyone
who wishes to participate. And don’t forget to go to some of the entertainment
held at the Q.I.A.- potlucks, exercise classes, painting classes, dancing and
shows almost every evening.
The Barbara Fairchild show is still going on at the end of Ironwood St. in the
big white tent, and her show is a very popular to those who like country and
gospel music.
It has often been said that if you can’t find what you want in Quartzsite during
the show season, then it doesn’t exist, and most people who have been coming
here for years agree. There is always something going on, and you can get as
involved as you want, or just sit back and enjoy the beauty of the desert. It’s
up to you.