Despite a fire nearly destroying the Standin’ on a Corner mural in Winslow, Ariz., the Route 66 town will continue to have its Standin’ on a Corner festival today and Saturday, reports the East Valley Tribune.
The gala and mural are inspired by the Eagles‘ hit song, “Take It Easy,” which contains these famed lyrics written by Jackson Browne: “Well, I’m a’standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, such a fine sight to see / It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me.”
The main draw is the Standin’ on the Corner Park, which is anchored by two pieces of art: A mural depicting the girl in the flatbed Ford by trompe l’oeil artist John Pugh and a bronze statue by sculptor Ron Adamson of a man in 1970s garb standing on the corner.
Pugh’s mural was nearly destroyed in an Oct. 18, 2004, fire, which gutted the interior of the building the mural is painted on. For safety reasons the park was kept cordoned off by a chain-link fence as the landlord and the city debated who was responsible for cleaning up the mess.
Hackler says the park will be open this weekend, and visitors will be able to pose with the bronze statue for photographs. Hotel California, an Eagles cover band, and Mogollon will perform. There will also be a kids zone featuring games.
We were able to attend the festival on our jaunt to the western end of 66. There are poles propping the side of the building with the mural.
If you ask me, it won’t take much to bring that thin wall down. Let’s hope they get something done with it before that happens.