Celebrating Rex Allen in Willcox

willcox Rex Lives!

Willcox celebrates its favorite son with small-town flair SEEKING THE PERFECT ARIZONA DAY, I decided to think small. Oh, I know Arizona harbors the world's largest stand of ponderosa pines, tallest fountain and grandest canyon, but sometimes thinking small can pay off big, so I headed for Willcox-population, 4,000-for the 54th annual Rex Allen Days, honoring this southeast Arizona town's favorite native son.

From the time he started playing guitar alongside his father at local Willcox dances, Rex Allen was destined for stardom. At 25, he was singing professionally, which led to a movie career that included 20 films, a television series and narration for more than 100 Walt Disney productions. “The Arizona Cowboy” died in 1999, but in Willcox his memory lives on.

There's nothing like a small-town parade to warm the heart. In the bright early morning light of this first day of October, fresh-faced teens from the Willcox High and Junior High School marching band warm up their tubas, drums and clarinets. Rex Allen Days Rodeo Queen Stacy Mott sits astride her horse and local celebrities perch atop truck beds and convertibles. Rex Allen Jr., actor Pedro Gonzales Gonzales and Speedy Haworth, Rex Allen Sr.'s guitarist, take their places in the lineup. Each October, Rex Allen Jr. shows his affection for the people of Willcox by attending the festivities.

“I love this event and wouldn't miss it. This is my dad's hometown, and I consider it an honor to join in this celebration,” he says.

Spectators line the route as the procession winds down Railroad Avenue past the Rex Allen Museum, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Railroad Park and the historic Willcox Railway Depot. Parade clowns lope along, greeting minicowboys and cowgirls with hard candies; Shriners in silly hats and miniature cars race in circles; and farmers rev engines of prized antique tractors that sport signs like, “Will plow for paint” and “It's not how you look, but how you hook.” The parade lasts a full two hours. As soon as the last vehicle turns the corner, folks get down to some serious celebrating.

Before the rodeo starts at 2 o'clock, everyone checks out the mutton-bustin' contest, turtle races, antique tractor pull and the Western music, cowboy poetry and Rex Allen Film Festival at Windmill Park.

Ken and Carol Bertelson from Albert Lea, Minnesota, head straight for the film festival. Cornered by local officials the day before, the Bertelsons had been “arrested and detained” as Willcox's “weekend mystery guests.” They didn't mind the false arrest, being longtime Rex Allen fans.

“When I watch a Rex Allen movie, “I'm 12 again,” Ken says, recalling when it cost 12 cents to see his favorite singing cowboy on the silver screen. “It just happened to be what my grandmother paid me to shine her shoes.” Lecturing on local lore, Ken points out the building on the corner of Railroad and Stewart avenues, where Allen earned nickels serenading barbershop patrons. He shows me Railroad Park, across the street, where Rex Allen's beloved horse Koko is buried.

And of course, he brags on his favorite spot, the Rex Allen Theater, where folks enjoyed a Rex Allen movie marathon. Next I head for the rodeo arena. Here, the hootin' and hollerin' in the stands starts as soon as riders enter the ring. Quicker than you can say “yippeekyay,” a cowboy on horseback chases a calf into the arena, ropes and flanks it before tying together three legs and throwing his hands into the air to signal the rodeo judge. Along with calf ropers come bronc busters, bull riders, barrel racers, steer wrestlers and a trick-riding rodeo clown.

As the dust settles and evening approaches, folks head for the auditorium at Willcox High School, where Rex Allen Jr. and friends perform for the hometown crowd. Allen serenades Willcox with his dad's favorite songs and ballads—a fitting way to end a day celebrating Arizona's singing cowboy. As the strains of Rex Allen's popular hit “Crying in the Chapel” settle on the desert night air, I savor a perfect October day and the big payoff for thinking small. AH Sally Benford enjoys visiting Arizona's small towns, especially during special celebrations. She is Arizona Highways' Research/Web editor. Rex Allen Days, a true slice of small-town Western Americana, generates infectious enthusiasm, providing opportunities for Arizona Highways Photography Editor Richard Maack and his camera.Location: 75 miles east of Tucson. Getting There: From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east for 75 miles to Willcox. Travel Advisory: The 2006 Rex Allen Days celebration takes place October 5-8. Additional Information: (520) 384-2272; www.willcoxchamber.com.

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