For more information contact Cottonwood Parks and Recreation Department at 928-639-3200.
Welcome to the Verde Valley, Old Town Cottonwood and the
12th Annual Thunder Valley Rally
Special Thanks to Presenting Sponsor Cliff Castle Casino Hotel
Located in North Central Arizona the Verde Valley is encompassed by beauty with the Red Rocks of Sedona to the Northeast, Sycamore Canyon to the North, the Black Hills and Mingus Mountain to the Southwest and the Mogollon Rim to the Southeast.
Cottonwood, the heart of the Verde Valley, provides a handy base for those visiting the old mining town of Jerome, the prehistoric ruins at Tuzigoot National Monument, wildlife areas, and the other attractions of the Verde Valley. The town is 14 miles northwest of Camp Verde, 16 miles southwest of Sedona, and 41 miles northeast across Mingus Mountain from Prescott.
Cottonwood was founded in 1879 and the original settlers were farmers and ranchers who used the Verde River as their provider. By March of 1917 Cottonwood began booming. Cottonwood appealed to the more venturesome, those who wanted their own home and business. There was a certain reputation for lawlessness. Some who settled in Cottonwood were run out of the nearby company towns.
Bootlegging was proliferating in Cottonwood, therefore attracting other non-law abiding citizens, as well as law abiding citizens, from other towns. Cottonwood was known to have the best bootlegging within hundreds of miles, attracting citizens from Los Angeles, Phoenix and even the likes of Al Capone. Capone’s name remains sketched on the walls of the Old Town Jail as it is rumored he came to Cottonwood to bail out a bootlegging buddy.
Today an estimated 77,000 people call the Verde Valley home with tourism having a major economic impact, it is estimated that Sedona alone sees nearly 4 million tourists annually. Other attractions in the Valley include Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Cliff Castle Casino Hotel, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Montezuma Castle National Monument and an abundance of wineries and tasting rooms leading many to wonder if the Verde Valley will become the next Sonoma Valley.
The Thunder Valley Rally was started in 2000 and was the brainchild of the former Cliff Castle Casino Hotel Team Member, Mike Spurgeon. From relatively humble beginnings 11 years ago to an event that has grown to be one of the Southwest’s premiere motorcycle gatherings. Thunder Valley Rally is sure to bring motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the state of Arizona, Utah, California, Nevada and Colorado. Bikers and non-bikers alike are sure to be entertained.
The three day Thunder Valley Rally will begin Friday afternoon with the Barley and Grapes Ride beginning in Old Town Cottonwood, making their way to Jerome and back down through the wine country of Page Springs, and of course making stops along the way for a bit of tasting. The run will end giving riders’ time to make it out to Stargazer Pavilion at Cliff Castle Casino Hotel to be entertained by Willie Nelson and Family beginning at 7:00 pm. If you would rather return to Old Town Cottonwood you will enjoy live music on the street, vendors and some of Arizona’s premier bike builders.
Saturday will offer the Thunder Valley Rally Poker Run, beginning in Old Town Cottonwood at 10:00am and riding up the Oak Creek Canyon along 89a into Flagstaff and back down Lake Mary Road near Mormon Lake and finishing headed Northwest on State Route 260 back to Cottonwood.
At the end of the Poker Run riders and non-riders will be able to enjoy live music, featuring the 74th Street Band, Rudy “Boy” Experiment and national act Rehab from 3:30 – 9:30 in Old Town Cottonwood. The KA Cycles Bike Show will correspond with the music of the day right behind City Hall in Old Town at the Activities Park. The Show will award $500 prizes to Best Overall Bike, Vintage, Metric and Amateur classes. Winners of the bike show will be announced Sunday at 10:00 am. at the Activities Park to conclude the festivities.
