In a rare move, the city has taken over the event, turning the entire town into a party. During Prohibition, the area was notoriously known as a hub for the production and risky distribution of illegal spirits. None other than the dastardly likes of Capone and his ilk were known to walk the same streets and back alleys as law biding bikers travel today.

 

The event attracted a couple of thousand enthusiasts from across Arizona and nearby states. Cottonwood’s Old Town turned into a biker walk flanked by restaurants, coffee shops, antique stores, trading posts, wine cellars and tasting rooms while vendors filled side streets. Headline music was added this year with Leon Russell leading the bill.

 

The area boasts a growing number of wine bars offering a taste of the booming vineyard industry, which is quickly turning the Verde Valley into the next Napa. Hard liquor distilled from questionable moonshine ingredients have been replaced with a grapey glass of sophistication, pure proof spirits and, of course, for the parched and dusty iron cowboy and girl, refreshing, cold beer—in sensible moderation, of course. There is no truth to the legend that illegal whiskey making still exists here under darkness and desert cave. But most bikers agreed, it would be great if it did.

 

Local officials of Cottonwood Parks & Recreation deemed the fun and economic boost was worth the risk of a horde of hooligans invading their tranquil community. Braced by an open-minded local government, reasonably priced accommodations, unobtrusive if omnipresent law enforcement officers who do not treat visitors as revenue but have no tolerance for louts, almost ideal weather and countless miles of spectacular scenery in every direction, the Thunder Valley Rally may become a civic model for events to come.

 

The rally almost met its end two years ago. The event had been organized by a nearby casino for the event’s first 11 years, but it backed out due to the economic turndown. In an act of unprecedented bureaucratic sense, the city of Cottonwood rolled the dice. It rescued the event and plunked it down in the middle of Main. Like a little Sturgis, Old Town was turned into a block party complete with multi-class, cash prize bike show, free concerts, after-parties by local clubs and saloons, and the rarity of free giant trike “romance rides” given by local character, Big Tim of Spirit Trykes. 

 

Cottonwood is about two hours north of Phoenix and three hours south of the Grand Canyon. It is set near the Jurassic wonderlands of Sedona; the old, haunted mining town Jerome; the prehistoric native ruins at Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle; and other natural and historic attractions that bewilder the eye and heighten the senses.

 

The town was founded in 1879 by ranchers and farmers, but within a couple of decades developed a reputation for welcoming ne’er-do-wells, outlaws, bikers, and the usual undesirables. Moonshining later became a cash crop, and reportedly, Capone stayed to inspect the area’s corn squeezin’ operations after settling accounts with a local judge on behalf of the aforementioned colleague. It is not known if the prohibition gangster opened up a speakeasy or refreshment shop, but he would have found a welcome home amid the desert hills, unlikely rivers and Indian ruins surrounding the area.

 

The Thunder Valley Rally is expected to reconvene next September. For more information, contact the Cottonwood Parks and Recreation Department at 928-639-3200; http://cottonwoodaz.gov/parksrec/thunder-valley-rally/