Congress, AZ

Over 150 guests and Community Members gathered at Congress Elementary School last night to enjoy "Bluegrass on the Grass". With the backdrop of Tenderfoot Hill, The Congress Elementary School was the perfect setting for this outdoor family and community event.

The Special Consensus Band is from Nashville, Tennessee, and they were able to arrange this stop at CES on their way to the "Great Desert Bluegrass Festival" in Tucson. They are a four person acoustic bluegrass band that began touring in the spring of 1975. International tours have brought The Special Consensus to the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, Ireland and South America. In 1984 they also initiated the Traditional American Music (TAM) Program in schools across the country. Several of the band's recordings have received a Highlight Review in Bluegrass Unlimited and Route 10 was included in the Top 10 Recordings of 2003 in both Bluegrass Now and the Chicago Tribune.

The Congress Elementary School's Event, Bluegrass on the Grass, followed educational classroom demonstrations by the Special Consensus Band that took place at school earlier in the day, as well as violin lessons that were sponsored by the Wickenburg Cultural Organization (WCO).

This event would not have been possible without the support and contributions from the community and our sponsors for this event which included Congress PTA, Wickenburg Cultural Organization (WCO), Wickenburg Friends of Music, Congress Mercantile, Wickenburg's Super 8, Anita's Cocina, Weston Concrete, Gordon Acri and Sergio Horcos. We even had members of the Congress Fire Department handing out Holiday treats to the kids, and members of the Yavapai County Sherriff's VIP's helping with traffic control. Because of these great sponsors Congress Elementary School and CES PTA were able to offer the event FREE to the Public and the residents of the Congress Community. In addition, a special thanks to Patsy Workman, who contacted the Special Consensus Band and was instrumental in obtaining the necessary sponsors and organizing the event.

Thanks to Loretta Morales and her crew. We just wrapped up another successful Old Congress Days.

Saturday started off with the parade. It was lead by the Wickenburg Boy Scout Troop 299, and Bridgett Morales singing the National Anthem at the announcers stand. Some of the highlights of Saturday were the Gymkhana held at Whisler's Arena, the Chili Cook Off held at the Congress Community Center and last but not least Jim Monnett and the Arizona Outlaw's who played at the FREE dance that was held at the Congress Fire Department.

The swap meet had plenty of booths with arts and crafts, a children's play area, and even popcorn and cotton candy!

All in all, there is nothing like the gathering of local friends and family to celebrate Congress, AZ, it's history and origin. My family and I look forward to it each year.