Welcome to Quartzsite

The Gathering Place!

The Quartzsite Business Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a warm invitation to everyone to come on down to the most beautiful part of the Sonoran Desert-where people gather from all over the world for the most unique experience of their lives!

Quartzsite is a little town of 3700 residents in the southern part of the state, at the crossroads of Highway 95 and Interstate 10 between Phoenix and Los Angeles to the east and west and Lake Havasu City and Yuma to the north and south. It has always been known as the “Gathering Place” since its early pioneer days, when miners, storekeepers and pioneers settled the area as a way station on the stage route.

Now Quartzsite is a “Gathering Place” of a different kind-every year since the early 60s when it started as a small selling area for rocks and gem tailgating, it has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the biggest swap meet areas in the country. Almost 2000 vendors come each year and bring all kinds of merchandise from all over the world.

Last winter, over one and a half million people visited this area … hard to believe so many people would come all this way for this little town, but come they do — the show season runs from November to March, with the busiest show times in January and February. This includes the huge Pow Wow Rock & Gem Show, as well as the Sell-A-Rama, RV Sports Vacation show, and much more. Check out the show schedule on page 9. You can shop until you drop all over town!

Don’t Miss Tyson Wells’ Three Big Shows!

Located on the southwest corner of I-10 and Hwy 95, the Tyson Wells Showgrounds is one of Quartzsite’s biggest draws. Over 25 acres are covered with hundreds of vendors and 2.2 miles of aisle frontage give visitors easy access.

The fun begins with the Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show. Rock enthusiasts from around the world head to this huge show where almost 250 dealers offer quality minerals, gems, rocks, precious metals, silver and goldsmithing, lapidary tools and more. Show dates are Jan. 6-15.

Next is the Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama from Jan. 20-29 where some 450 dealers showcase an unbelievable variety of items: antiques, coins, crafts, hobbies, jewelry, even more gems and minerals, great food and lots more in an outdoor spectacular not to be missed.

Following is the Tyson Wells Arts & Crafts Fair from Feb. 3-12 offering an amazing selection of creative, custom and handcrafted works by around 150 national artisans. Admission to all these events is FREE.

To find out more about the vendors at the shows, check out the website at www.tysonwells.com. The variety is unbelievable!

In addition, there’s even MORE to look at in the new gift shop open in the Tyson Wells RV Park Office. Unique gift items include over 35 hard-to-find sodas from around the country, unusual greeting cards, and a line of “Ass Kickin’” food products such as hot sauces, salsas, rubs, seasonings, peanuts, and popcorn.

Tyson Wells Shows: 928-927-6364

For a unique shopping experience: Reader’s Oasis Books

A must see attraction in this funky desert town is the “Naked Man’s Bookstore”. Owner Paul Winer offers an eclectic mix of paperback, hard cover and audio books for every taste and interest, over 180,000 titles, as well as all types of music … while dressed in a thong with a smile for all.

Once known as Sweet Pie back on the East Coast and Canada in the 1970s & 80s, Paul will be on stage at the QIA in Quartzsite on Jan. 24th for two family shows-at 2pm and 7pm. Last year’s “sold out” concert was the biggest single night event in the history of the QIA hall and voted the best live performance of the year.

If you can’t make the date, you can catch the full 2 1/2-hour concert on DVD. As much a comedy show as musical performance, Paul’s Blues & Boogie piano is not to be missed. Tickets for the shows, as well as copies of the limited edition DVD, are available at the QIA and the Bookstore.

Reader’s Oasis is located at 690 E. Main Street. It’s open 7 days a week, 10 am- 6 pm. Be sure to stop by! Paul and his wife Joanne thank all the winter visitors for their support.

Reader’s Oasis Books: 928-927-6551

Celebrate Arizona’s Centennial!

2012 marks the 100th birthday of our great state of Arizona, and the Quartzsite Centennial Committee has hosted events all through the past year to mark the special occasion.

This year look for the Hi Jolly Parade on January 7 and the huge ATV Parade on February 11 ending at the Town Park, where all kinds of activities will take place: a huge party celebrating the year in review, 10 decades of music, the lasting legacy project, quilt raffle and much more. On February 14, get in the party spirit with the Happy Birthday Arizona celebration, where they will serve cake and ice cream.

In addition to events, there are lots of fun activities for all interests: ATVing, rockhounding, jam sessions, dances, bingos, dinners, classes, golf and much more-so be sure to come and visit us in Quartzsite, Az. where the weather is great and the people are even greater! We really want you to come and visit our friendly little town!

Quartzsite Business Chamber of Commerce
110 W. Main Street
928-927-9321
quartzsitebusinesscoc@tds.net
www.qzchamber.com