Desert Messenger

January 19, 2022 www.DesertMessenger.com 27 be downloaded to your cell phone on, www.Voicemap.me. Informa- tive narrations play automatically as you drive past the sites! Quartzsite Camel Corps Debut at Quartzsite Camel Corps Debut at the Hi Jolly Daze Parade the Hi Jolly Daze Parade Larry and Phil made arrangements to have The Pacifi c Northwest Cam- el Company bring two live camels to the parade, and provide camel rides during the month of January. The Camel Corps built a fl oat for the pa- rade, featuring Mayor Norm Simp- son as "Buck Connors," with Phil Bate's Kaydee the kissing camel, and two other camels, announcing the parade theme, and the Camel Corps Logo. Phil Brown drove his classic Chevrolet pickup, with a large metal camel in the bed of the truck with its neck stretched over the cab of the truck. Mark & Lynda Goldberg cre- ated a fl oat with a large metal camel and two calves (baby camels) loaned from Millcreek Outpost yard art on Main Street. Council members Lyn- da Goldberg and Karey Amon rode on the fl oat and greeted the crowd. Amy Lopresti and Jason Guy, were the offi cial Quartzsite Camel Corps poop squad. Amy was dressed in a great camel costume, and Jason pushed a large poop cart, behind the camels led by Dillon and Alex from Pacifi c Northwest Camels. Butch Klein followed the poop squad in a UTV with two camel silhouettes and a "Camel Up Q" sign. Skip Gallup led the long string of UTV's and Jeeps, rallied by Quartzsite Off-Road, with the Arizona Sunrider's OHV Club Banner, Rockin' Slow Rollers Jeep Club, and a Camel Corps Banner. Larry and the Quartzsite Camel Corps wanted to acknowledge the great public outpouring of support for the parade and the camels. The "Camelpalooza," was created to cel- ebrate the tremendous community support for the camels. On Saturday January, 15, at the Pacifi c Northwest Camel Company location at 726 E. Main Street, Lar- ry and In-Store Secure Self Storage provided free hot dogs and beverag- es. Pacifi c Northwest Camel Compa- ny provided the camel rides. Rocky Watson donated great live music. The Jade Street Band provided free popcorn. Nitty's Italian Ice and other local vendors were also on hand and helping out. A good time was had by all, and many fulfi lled the camel ride on their "bucket list." Children, parents, and senior citizens enjoyed interacting with the friendly, regal camels and each other. Camelpalooza II Camelpalooza II Due to the rousing success of Camelpalooza, we are proud to an- nounce, "Camelpalooza II." It will be held at 726 E. Main Street on January 29, 2022, Noon until 6 p.m. The public is welcome to share the continuing camel excitement with the Quartzsite Camel Corps; get a free hot dog, live entertainment, and interact with some great camels, Di- amond and Shock Top; and, camel handlers, Kyle, Dillon, and Alex! Submitted by Larry Lord Camelpalooza Camelpalooza Camelpalooza: Is derived from the word "lollapalooza." It dates from the late 19th century/early 20th century American idiomatic phrase meaning, "an exemplary camel; camel driver; camel-related event; or, an exceptional example or instance of true camel happiness. More on Camelpalooza later. The Quartzsite Camel History The Quartzsite Camel History The Camel's association with Quartzsite began in the 1800's with the advent of the Army's U.S. Camel Corps experiment to use camels to replace mules and horses as pack an- imals in the desert. Hadji Ali, a Syr- ian-born camel driver was hired to be the lead camel handler. Soldiers, who had a hard time pronouncing his name, took to calling him Hi Jolly. The camel experiment ended in 1863, after only one trek across the desertand the intervention of the Civil War. Hi Jolly retired in Quartzsite and passed away on De- cember 16, 1902, at the age of 64. Hadji Ali is interred at the Hi Jolly Cemetery in Quartzsite, alongside Quartzsite's legacy family members. His tomb was dedicated on January 4, 1903. Thirty-three years later the Arizona Highway Department came along and cemented a bronze plaque to the tomb, telling Hi Jolly's story, and topped the pyramid with a metal camel silhouette. It was listed as a Na- tional Historic Landmark on Febru- ary 28, 2011. Hi Jolly's Tomb is one of the most-visited National Historic Landmarks in Arizona. Local inter- est in camels was further stimulated by the Arizona Centennial Camel Project, Where's Humpy Promotion; Quartzsite's entry monument signs, and The Anual Hi Jolly Daze Parade. Hi Jolly Daze Parade Hi Jolly Daze Parade On Saturday, January 8, 2022, the Quartzsite Area Chamber of Com- merce and Tourism hosted the An- nual Hi Jolly Parade. This year's theme was, "Camels Marching Through The West." The Quartzsite Camel Corps felt that this was an ide- al opportunity to support the Cham- ber's parade with the public debut of The Quartzsite Camel Corps. The Quartzsite Camel Corps The Quartzsite Camel Corps The Quartzsite Camel Corps was conceived by Larry Lord, owner of In Store Secure Storage, to help promote tourism and businesses in Quartzsite. While the offi cial slo- gan for the Town of Quartzsite is, "The Rock Capital of The World," Quartzsite's history is steeped in popular camel lore and Larry felt that it had been a missed opportu- nity for promotion. Larry installed a large camel sculp- ture, "Kamel A. Harris," in 2020, shortly after he opened his business, In-Store Secure Storage. Shortly thereafter, Phil Bates, owner of The Main Trading Post for 29-years, in- stalled a large metal camel sculpture, "Le Mac," (camel spelled backwards). Shortly thereafter, he installed "Kaydee" the kissing camel. The camels have created a resur- gence of the interest in the heritage of camels in Quartzsite…and The Quartzsite Camel Corps was born as an informal group of like-mind- ed businessmen and local citizens, to promote tourism and business in Quartzsite. Larry and Phil were joined by Sandy Tucceri, Ironwood Outpost & Accounting; Liz Speidel, owner of the new Outback Pizza; Phil Brown, Absolute Mechanical; Amy Lopresti, Horizon Community Bank; Mark Goldberg, Quartzsite Off-Road; Lynda Goldberg, Quartzsite Town Council Member; Doug Ross, Pyramid Lane RV Park and Vickie Cleveland, Vickie's Cus- tom Embroidery. With the addition of more camel sculptures at businesses in town, the Corps created the "Quartzsite Camel Tour." It is a narrated tour of the sculptures in the Downtown area, as well as an overview of Hi Jolly, and Quartzsite history. It can Camels in Quartzsite! Quartzsite Metal Detecting Club 2021-2022 Schedule Feb. 2 Meeting at QIA Fb. 9th Club Outing Feb. 19th Hunt in Town Park 1pm March 2nd Meeting at QIA March 9th Club Outing March 19th Hunt in Town Park 1pm Meetings are held at the Quartzsite Improvement Assoc (QIA) build- ing. From Main St. & Hwy. 95, go east one block to Mesquite Ave. Turn right and go one block to Ironwood St. Turn left and the QIA will be on the right. Show up early starting at 6pm to sign in and vote for the Find of the Month! Hunts will be in the Town Park. From Main St., go north on Hwy. 95 approx ½ mile to Chandler St. Turn right and go off the end of the pavement into the park. Rules are available by request. Metal Detecting Club schedule Metal Detecting Club schedule Metal Detecting

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