Desert Messenger

December 20, 2023 www.DesertMessenger.com 9 Quartzsite, AZ - Quartzsite resident Larry Lord and local sponsors are planning another ex- citing event for Quartzsite in honor of the In- ternational Year of the Camelid in Quartzsite, Arizona. The UN has designated 2024 as the International Year of Camelids. Camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos are an impor- tant source of livelihood for millions of fami- lies - most of them pastoralists - in dryland and mountainous rangeland ecosystems around the world. The Year is meant to raise the public's and policymakers' awareness of the signifi cant role of camelids in protecting ecosystems, con- serving biodiversity, assuring food security and adapting to climate change. The resolution for the International Year of Camelids, proposed by the Government of Bolivia and presented by Ecuador as Country Chair of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), was approved by the UN General Assembly on 17 October 2017 upon recommendation by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN). Check out all the events below: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10 Location: Hagley Adobe Property, 750 W Main St on the corner of Moon Mountain Ave. • Time TBA: Rededication of the Hagely Gen- eral Store ruins and Quartzsite's fi rst School- house with the Quartzsite Historical Society. Location: the Quartzsite Improvement Assoc. (QIA), 235 E. Ironwood St. • An evening with Alex Debogorski, the "Original Ice Road Trucker," the highest-rated reality show ever to hit the History Channel! Alex shares tales of his adventures-and misadven- tures-in the north, and explains in his own en- tertaining voice, how he got to where he is today- working class hero, bona-fi de celebrity, and the improbable star of a smash-hit television show. • 3:30 pm at QIA Alex Debogorski Presenta- tion with Question and answer session. • 5:00pm - 6:00 Join Alex for QIA Pancake Supper Fundraiser Menu Prices will be listed onsite at the QIA • 6:00pm at QIA: FREE showing of "Hawmps!" the 1976 American Western Slap- stick fi lm about the United States Cavalry exper- iment to introduce camels to the West. Cast in- cludes James Hampton, Christopher Connelly, and Slim Pickens. Sponsors: Larry Lord Foundation and In- Store Secure Self Storage in conjunction with Quartzsite Improvement Assoc. (QIA) THURSDAY JANUARY 11, 2024 Location: the Quartzsite Improvement Assoc. (QIA), 235 E. Ironwood St. 5:00 PM MOVIE: "Hi Jolly, The Legendary Camel Driver" with special appearance by Pro- ducer/Director Matt D. Bremen. Tickets are $10 per person. Matt will have a special introduction session before the movie. Following the movie there will be question and answer session. Pho- tos and autographs will be available. Sponsors: Sunset Sheds of Arizona, My Wind Stuff and QIA FRIDAY JANUARY 12, 2024 Location: Hagley Adobe Property, 750 W Main St on the corner of Moon Mountain Ave. Camel Educational and Caravan Day with special guests throughout the day. • 10am - 1pm Nance Fike will the presenter of the day of camel education and fun for young and old alike! Learn all about camels and their history from Jenn Portillo-Lagusker (Reptacular Animals) who will be bringing a big hybrid cam- elid. She said she's, "Super excited to come down with my "muppets" to share my passion and love for these incredible animals! And what better time than the year of the camel! Hope to meet all of you soon!" Eric Souders, of Flagstaff, will be bringing two camels; one dromedary and one Bactrian. He will also dress up as Lt Beale and represents the Camel Corp in the Flagstaff area, where Lt. Beale came through. Special appearances by Produc- er, Director of "Hi Jolly, The Legendary Camel Driver" Matt Bremen and the Original Ice Road Trucker Alex Debogorski. • 1pm the camels will caravan to the Hi Jolly Cemetery Monument for tours of the cemetery and visual history of gravesites presented by the Quartzsite Historical Society while dressed in period correct dress. There will also be plenty of time for individual and group photos. Sponsors: Rock Solid Construction, In-Store Se- cure Self-Storage and the Quartzsite Historical Society. SATURDAY JANUARY 13, 2024 Location: Plymouth Ave. • 10:30 am Annual Hi Jolly Daze Parade. The theme this year is "Walk Like a Camel!" Parade starts at 10:30am and ends at the Park Dance Slab. ROUTE: Line-up starts at 9:00am, east of the Fire station on E. Tyson St. Parade will head south on Plymouth Ave. So get your party hats on and come out and enjoy the day! Gather your camels, fl oats, pets, bikes, dance & music groups, classic cars, off-road vehicles, bicycles, etc. and make this a great parade! This is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to show off too! And entry is FREE! For more information call the Chamber at 928-927-5200. Sponsored by Quartzsite Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. CAMEL RIDES & MUSIC Location: Hagley Adobe Property, 750 W Main St on the corner of Moon Mountain Ave.\ • 1pm Pacifi c Northwest Camel Co. will offer Camel rides and photos in the afternon. Alex and Matt will be available, too. • 3pm Drum Circle will start around 3:00pm and roll into the night with campfi res and lots of fun! Sponsors: Outback Pizza, Main Trading Post, and the Quartzsite Camel Corps SUNDAY JANUARY 14, 2024 CAMELPALOOZA 2024 Location: Hagley Adobe Property Camel Rides, crafters, vendors, free hot dogs, Lemonade Stand Jobs Skills Training program youth fundraiser. For vendor space please con- tact Wendy Briesch, 509-209-3406. CAMEL RIDES will be available throughout the following week at Hagley Property thru Jan- uary 21, 2024 10am-5pm. $15/person. Photos available. Sponsored by Larry Lord Foundation and Quartzsite Camel Corp. For updates visit www.Camelpalooza.com. CAMELPALOOZA 2024 returns to Quartzsite January 10 - 14

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