Read the guest register at the Powerhouse Visitor Center. Look at the list of upcoming events provided by Joyce Wiley of the Kingman Office of Tourism for this post. Use the narrated self guided Kingman Tours to learn more about the city’s history and explore the historic business district. And listen to the conversations of people eating in our restaurants, walking the historic district, and in the coffee shops. Kingman is a destination.

Obviously Route 66 has played an important role in the transformation of Kingman. In 1932 the U.S. Highway 66 Association held its annual convention in this city. This as well as the 1931 convention in Elk City, Oklahoma were milestones in Route 66 history. In 2014 they were also the template for business owners and community organizers in Kingman. They envisioned developing a modern version of those historic conventions and taking steps to transform Kingman into a destination city. .

The result was the International Route 66 Festival, an event sanctioned by the Route 66 Alliance. When planning first commenced no one involved imagined it as a transformative event or that it would impact the international Route 66 community. And the orgainzers didn’t see it as a milestone event in Route 66 history. But it was all of this and more. It also proved to be a catalyst for historic district revitalization.

Destination Kingman

Kingman was immortalized in a song about getting your kicks on Route 66. It provided the city with international name recognition but that song portrayed Kingman as a stop on the way to somewhere else. The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona annual Route 66 Fun Run and 2014 Internationoal Route 66 Festival showed that Kingman was a destination.

The success and wide-ranging impact of the 2014 festival is attributed to the historic support and promotion provided by Route 66 enthusiasts and associations from throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. In retrospect we see that this event was an historic Route 66 milestone.

The first meeting to discuss development of a European Route 66 Festival took place at this event. A limited partnership between the City of Kingman and Historic Electric Foundation led to the establishment of the world’s first EV museum. And many business owners in Kingman credit this event for sparking the historic district renaissance. The impact of the festival that included the Crossroads of The Past & Future Conference, cornerstone for the annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference, was detailed in a recent blog post on the Jim Hinckley’s America website.

Incentive

If you are not familiar with Kingman, or haven’t visited the city in several years, you will be amazed by its transformation into a destination city. If you need incentive for that visit, perhaps you find it in this list of upcoming events. And to plan the perfect weekend getawy in Kingman, everything you need is on the Visit Kingman website.

September 17 – 20 – Mohave County Fair & Kingsmen PRCA Pro Rodeo – Come join the fun and excitement at the Mohave County Fair & Kingsmen PRCA Pro Rodeo! A countywide livestock & crafts exhibits, live entertainment, tons of vendors, carnival and much more! Along with the Fair there will be two days of Pro-Rodeo action for the whole family to enjoy. Gates to the Fair open at 10am daily. Gates to the Rodeo open Friday at 5pm, Rodeo starts at 7pm. Saturday gates open at 12pm, Rodeo starts at 2pm. Location: Mohave County Fairgrounds, 2600 Fairgrounds Blvd, Kingman. For more information or to buy tickets for the Fair visit https://parks.mohave.gov/fairgrounds/annual-county-fair/. For more information or to buy tickets for the Kingsmen PRCA Pro Rodeo visit https://kingsmenrodeo.org.

September 18 – John Nilsen at Beale Street Theater – Join acclaimed pianist, singer-songwriter, and recording artist John Nilsen for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling. With more than one million albums sold worldwide and a career spanning over twenty releases, Nilsen brings his signature piano style and passionate artistry to the stage in a captivating live performance. Friday at 7pm. Tickets range from $10-$20 for adults and $5-$10 for kids and teens. Location: Beale Street Theater, 302 Beale St, Kingman. For more information or tickets visit https://www.bealestreettheater.com/.

September 19, 26 – Kingman’s Market in the Park – Join us for Kingman’s Market in the Park! You will find an array of products including baked goods, local produce, clothing, hand-made arts & crafts, and so much more! Saturday 8am – 12pm. Location: Lewis Kingman Park, 2201 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman.

September 19 – The 56^th Annual Andy Devine Days Parade – It’s that time of year where the Kingman community comes together to celebrate the Annual Andy Devine Days Parade. Participating in this annual event will make you feel like a part of the legend that has become Andy Devine Days. Each year, entries in this parade celebrate Kingman’s western heritage and its roots in the mining, railroad, Route 66, ranching, and rodeos. Enjoy all that Kingman has to offer as we remember the past and look toward the future. Applications are available at www.cityofkingman.gov; click on Parks & Recreation and look under the Forms and Information section to obtain an entry form. Everyone is welcome to participate and it’s FREE. Participants are strongly encouraged to design and build float entries around the current year’s theme, “Two Journeys, One Celebration.” Celebrating 100 Years of Route 66 and 250 Years for the United States of America. Participation plaques are available for purchase to all parade entries for a $35 charge and must be paid at the time of entry. Entry deadline is September 18th by 4pm. Location: Historic Downtown Kingman, Beale St between 1^st St and 5^th St. For more information call 928-757-7919.

September 19 – Golden Valley Fire Community Risk Reduction Event and Classic Car Show – This is GVFD’s 5th annual Community Risk Reduction event and classic car show. This is a multi-agency event with an emphasis on prevention, safety, and what to do in an emergency. Our car show will feature cars from all makes, models, and generations. We will have food, raffle prizes, and a bounce house for the kids. The event is free to the public, and any vehicle is $20. Saturday 10am – 2pm. Location: Golden Valley Fire District Training, 423 S Colorado Rd, Golden Valley. For more information call 928-897-9588.

September 19 – Chillin’ on Beale – Bring your car down for a fun time. This month the theme will be “Celebrating Route 66”. Cruise on down to Beale Street at Locomotive Park for classic cars and down-home Kingman atmosphere! Saturday 3pm to 6pm. Free and open to the public – vehicle spots open. Location: Locomotive Park, 310 W Beale St, Kingman. Contact June Painter at 818-606-0411 for more information.

September 20 – Sale-A-Brations Vendor Fair – Howdy Hoedown! Indulge in some retail therapy. There are soaps and lotions, candles and birdhouses, jewelry, journals, quilted and hand sewn goods as well as home baked breads and sweets. And so much more for your browsing and shopping pleasure. Location: Beale Celebrations, 201 N 4^th St., Kingman. Sunday 10am – 3pm. For more information call 928.753.6253 or visit www.kingmanchamber.com/.

September 20 – “Sounds That Go Bump in the Night” Concert – Kingman Concert Band proudly presents “Sounds That Go Bump in the Night”. The performance is free and open to the public. Location: Kingman High School Auditorium, 4182 N. Bank St, Kingman. Sunday at 2pm. For more information call 928.853.3846 or visit www.kingmanconcertband.com.

September 22 – 2^nd Annual Suicide Prevention & Awareness Walk – Join us for Mohave Mental Health’s 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk. we come together to raise awareness, inspire action, and bring hope to our community. Tuesday 4pm – 8pm. Location: Lewis Kingman Park, 2201 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman.

September 24 – 26 – 2026 Playwright Showcase at Beale Street Theater – Get your tickets to support our 6 playwrights as they gear out to present their plays for you! Shows are at 7pm with 1pm matinee on Saturday. Location: Beale Street Theater, 302 Beale St, Kingman. For more information or tickets visit https://www.bealestreettheater.com/.

September 26 – Museum of the Great Wars’ Family Fall Festival and Car Show – We are excited to invite everyone to our first family fall festival and car show! This history themed event will be free, tickets for games are $2 or less and every kid will play till they win! In There will be a remote control tank obstacle course with tanks for rent for a small donation. We are planning a small petting zoo, venders and even our biplane “war kitty” will be on display. Saturday noon to 4pm. Location: Kingman Church of the Nazarene, 4715 N Stockton Hill Rd, Kingman.       

September 26 – Next Stop Comedy at Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery Join us at Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery for a brand new line-up of comedians every time! Next Stop Comedy brings top stand-up comedians to your favorite local venues! Each show features a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts. Saturday at 7pm. Location: Grand Canyon Brewing + Distillery, 312 E Beale St, Kingman. For more info, check out our website! – nextstopcomedy.com.

September 27 – Concert in The Park – Enjoy a FREE concert in the park presented by Sounds of Kingman. Band performance will be 8 Kilo Cats. Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on, snacks, picnic dinner and drinks of choice. Family friendly so bring all your family and friends! Located at Metcalfe Park, 315 W Beale St. Sunday 4pm – 6pm. For more information call 928-715-0288 or visit http://www.soundsofkingman.com.

October 2 – First Friday – First Friday on Beale Street this month will have the theme “A Trip Down Memory Lane 100 Years of Route 66 & Big Hair Bulldogs Reunion”. Experience the energy of Downtown Kingman at First Friday on Beale Street! Five blocks – from 1st Street to 6th Street – transform into a lively street festival filled with live music, delicious food, unique shopping, local organizations, and family-friendly fun. Several shops will be open late. Singer-songwriter Richard Nihil will be performing at Cellar Door Wine Bar at 7pm located at 414 E Beale St. Festivities are 5:30pm – 9pm. For more information visit https://kingmanchamber.com/first-fridays/.

October 3 – 13^th Annual Race to Remember – The Lingenfelter Center will be hosting its 13th Annual Race to Remember at the Creative Care Foundation, located at 1099 Sunrise Ave, Kingman. The race will begin at 8am and will take runners on an almost five mile run or walk around the Cerbat Cliffs Golf Course. After the run, there will be raffles and an awards ceremony for participants. For more information on the event and how to register, please call 928-718-4852.

October 3, 24 – Kingman’s Market in the Park – Join us for Kingman’s Market in the Park! You will find an array of products including baked goods, local produce, clothing, hand-made arts & crafts, and so much more! Saturday 8am – 12pm. Location: Lewis Kingman Park, 2201 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman.

October 3 – 4^th Annual Another Darn Car Show – If you’re in the Kingman area we are inviting you to our 4th annual Another Darn Car Show with our Special Guest Candy Clark “Debbie” from the Movie American Graffiti. Saturday 10am – 2pm. Roll in time 9am. $20 entry, $15 motorcycles. Location: Journey Church, 3782 N Bank St, Kingman. For more information call 928-530-1251.