Every year, our little town of Willcox, Arizona, celebrates Rex Allen Days. This year, the festivities run from October 2 to 4. It is a chance to see how a small community comes together around food, music, carnival fun, and the simple pleasure of spending time with one another.
We like the feel of small-town life here in the US, and events like Rex Allen Days are part of the reason why. There is still a rawness to them, something simple and genuine that we appreciate. The celebration does not have to be elaborate to be meaningful. So much of its appeal comes from the people showing up and being part of it.
People from all over Willcox and the surrounding farmland come together for a simple parade and car shows, then head to the park with their families for food and fun. These are straightforward ways to spend a day, but that is what we enjoy about them. There is room to take in the festivities, have something to eat, and share the day with family and the wider community.
The festivities start today, and people are already looking for good food while other food trucks are still getting ready. There is something enjoyable about this beginning, when preparations and celebration overlap. Some people are ready to eat, others are getting ready to serve, and the event is starting to come together.
There will also be a concert featuring local bands and talent. Along with the food and other activities, it is another way for the community to be part of the celebration—not just by coming out to enjoy it, but by sharing what they can do.
Tomorrow is the parade, and I will be on the hospital float, handing out candy to the kids. This year, I get to be part of the very thing we enjoy about these small-town events: people coming together, each taking a small part in making the celebration happen.