The statue at the Standin’ on the Corner Park in downtown Winslow draws visitors from around the world seeking the spirit of adventure that comes with traveling the open road.

There’s a strong likelihood that most people traveling through Winslow have hummed the familiar lyrics…Standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, as they’ve driven along the town’s stretch of historic Route 66. The classic hit Take It Easy by the Eagles is synonymous with the town, symbolizing the ability to let go, relax and enjoy the freedom of the road.

The song penned by Jackson Browne made its debut in 1972 and brought a fresh perspective to the town known primarily as a railroad community. When Route 66 was bypassed by the interstate six years later, people no longer had a reason to visit the cafés and kitchy shops as they chose speed over nostalgia, and the lyrics of the song were brought to mind only briefly as the name Winslow was seen on freeway exit signs as traffic sped by.

In 1994 the people of the community decided it was time to revitalize it’s historic downtown and organized La Posada Foundation. The group located funding and a buyer for La Posada Hotel, one of the original Harvey Houses that was located on Second Street and had fallen into ruin. Due to their efforts and the creative endeavors of owners Allan Affeldt and Tina Mion, the hotel now stands as a jewel of northeastern Arizona.

With the purchase of the hotel the organization renamed itself the Standin’ on the Corner Foundation and set its focus on developing the Standin’ On The Corner Park, which is situated on the corner of Second Street and Kinsley Avenue. To create the park, the foundation commissioned artist John Pugh to paint a two-story mural on the wall of the park featuring a girl in a flatbed Ford, and sculptor Ron Adamson created a life-size bronze statue of a lone guitarist. To complete the park an actual red flatbed Ford was parked at the curb as if to take on a passenger or two.

The project was a tremendous success and today people come from all over the world to stand next to the statue of the lone troubadour looking for a ride to some unknown destination. The mural, the statue and the gift shop on the corner even beckoned to Jackson Browne, who stood by the statue for the first time two years ago and was again inspired to write a song about traveling from Winslow, this one called Leaving Winslow.

The people of the community take great pride in the popularity of their corner and the growing appreciation for the revitalization of Route 66. For the past 17 years they have celebrated with The Standin’ On The Corner Festival, which will be coming around once again on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26.

The two-day event is held at the Eagle Pavilion located on another corner at West Second Street and North Campbell Avenue. This year the celebration will feature musicians from Winslow and around the state, as well, including South Bound, Tommy Dukes’ Blues Band, Steven Padilla Band, Zona Road, Aguilera’s del Oro Ballet Folklorico, High Desert Dance Group, Sounds of Faith, Desert Dixie and the Eagles cover band, Take It To The Limit.

To say the weekend is just about music would be to limit the experience. It’s also about immersion into the culture of Route 66, appreciating the unique offerings of a community in its renaissance, and taking the sage advice given in the song to “lighten up while you still can and take it easy.”