Spring
Fling at the Verde Canyon Railroad
Lucky Leprechaun, Easter Bunny and Cinco de Mayo - Clarkdale, Arizona
Those who
envision Arizona as a dry and colorless place have never witnessed the
dazzling display of Spring in Bloom in the Verde Canyon. Under
multi-hued canyon walls, the first flush of satiny green leaves adorn
cottonwoods and willows as the canyon floor erupts in gaudy bouquets of
wildflowers. The Verde Canyon Railroad celebrates this joyous season
with gala events on the round-trip ride from Clarkdale to Perkinsville.
On March
17 the Lucky Leprechaun Train carries a wee bit of the Emerald Isle into
the backcountry of Arizona. Aboard the cars the lilt of music echoes
and the aroma of corned beef and cabbage tantalize taste buds. Irish
(and the Irish at heart) will want to hoist a glass of beer to toast St.
Patrick. Another glass to toast the engineer, and another to toast the
sparkling green of the landscape, and another to toast the eagles
soaring overhead and another to … well, we’ll think of something worthy
of a fine toast this fine day.
A
hopping good time for the whole family is guaranteed when the Easter
Bunny Express rolls out of the station on Sunday April 4th. Children
will munch chocolate eggs and giggle at the antics of the twitchy-nosed
guest of honor, the Easter Bunny, as he roams the platform prior to
boarding. Be sure to get in on the jelly bean counting contest and take
a keep-sake photo. The excitement continues as the train rumbles over
lofty railroad bridges and squeezes through a 680-foot darkened tunnel,
sure to elicit squeals of delight.
Arriba!
The Cinco de Mayo Celebration on May 5th unleashes a colorful fiesta
saluting a rich cultural heritage. The lively music sets the
toe-tapping mood to enjoy a zesty Mexican lunch from the Copper Spike
Café. Sip a margarita from the comfort of the coaches. Don’t be
surprised when a seductive spring breeze pulls you out onto open-air
cars to savor heart-squeezing panoramas of a stunning canyon
wilderness.
Trains
depart the depot at 1:00 pm and return at 5:00 pm, just in time to
continue the day’s frolic with a guitar-strummin’ good time at the
Blazin’ M Chuckwagon Dinner Show in nearby Cottonwood. Reservations for
this uniquely Arizona cowboy experience can be made at the same time as
train reservations.
The Verde Canyon Railroad depot is located in Clarkdale, Arizona, 25
minutes from Sedona and 2 hours north of Phoenix.
To make reservations call 800-293-7245 or
visit
www.verdecanyonrr.com
