The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors discussed possible projects April 14 that would be suitable as part of the celebration of Arizona’s 100th year of statehood in 2012.

Chamber President Yvonne Larson informed those present that there are several potential projects that would meet the criteria of the state centennial committee. One project would be the renovation of the Holbrook Petroglyph Park. The park is located east of Hidden Cove Golf Course, and is receiving assistance from the National Park Service in order for the city to learn how to preserve, inform and restore the park for visitors to learn about early civilizations in the area. With this project already under way, it provides an opportunity for the city to present a project for the centennial at a minimal cost.

The board approved a suggestion to use the funds obtained from the Fall Flavor auction last year to purchase an engraved sandstone sign to be placed at the entrance to the park with wording pertaining to the state’s centennial, as well as the enduring legacy of the petroglyphs. The funds approved for the sign are not to exceed $550.

Another project approved by the board is the repainting of the mural at Gillespie Park. The mural depicts the Old West heritage of the city, but over the years has faded considerably. The board approved a suggestion to ask Liz Nichols, who painted the original mural, for her cost to either repaint the existing mural or paint a new mural in its place with a Route 66 theme.

“I think it may be more appropriate for that area if the mural was Route 66 theme, with the classic cars and that sort of thing. I was also thinking that the Old West mural would be better on the wall by the Bucket of Blood, which is more of an Old West area,” suggested Larson.

The third suggestion approved by the board was to have the Old West Days event scheduled in July named as a centennial event.

Regarding Old West Days, Chamber Administrator Emily Wheeler presented an update on the upcoming celebration.

In addition to the many events planned that weekend, including the pro series barbecue competition and the Route 66 Gearheads car show, the Navajo County Fairgrounds will be hosting a livestock auction and junior bull riding competition. The Bucket of Blood Re-enactors are set to perform, Native American dancers and drummers, and Marshall Trimble, Arizona’s official state historian, will also be performing. In addition, a family dance will be held on Friday at the courthouse, with a sock-hop slated on Saturday at Hunt Park as part of the car show.

With a majority of the income generated by the event not to be received until it takes place, the board approved a $10,000 advancement to Old West Days to be repaid by revenues received from the event. It is estimated that the cost to have the event will be approximately $20,000, with the other $10,000 to come from lodgers tax.

The Bucket of Blood Re-enactors will be performing re-enactments of historic shootouts at 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of the months of May, June, July and August at the historic courthouse, with the Native American dancers to return again this year with performances at 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning June 1 and continuing through the end of July.

In February the board approved an expenditure not to exceed $3,400 to lease a billboard by the Little Colorado Bridge on the south end of town from Jim Gray for one year. The estimates being provided for the lease, artwork and installation of the artwork exceeded that amount by $650. It was decided by the board that Larson should attempt to see if reductions in the cost could be arranged in order to have the billboard completed, with the information to be presented at the next meeting.

Larson also asked the board to consider what should be done with the area in front of the marquee planter in Gillespie Park. “There is a dirt spot in front of the planter that needs something in it and nothing can be planted there due to drainage issues. I was thinking of a Route 66 shield in the middle in concrete, but that still leaves a lot of area around it. So, I was thinking that we could sell engraved bricks to the public to surround the shield and also offset the cost of the project,” stated Larson.

It was decided to research the idea for the cost to have the bricks carved. The item will be revisited at the next chamber meeting.

In other action April 14, the board:

* Authorized a three-year contract with Phil Wills for the setup and maintenance of the chamber’s website at a total cost of $464.20.

* Approved the removal of free vendor booth space for Old West Days as part of membership benefits in order to allow the chamber to earn income to replenish expenses for this event.

* Approved an amount not to exceed $50 in order to purchase supplies locally as a contribution for the Holbrook Easter Egg Hunt.

* Approved a free vendor booth space during Old West Days for the Holbrook High School Fusion drumline to allow the youth to raise funds for their organization.

* Approved the purchase of a Brothers fax machine from Walmart in an amount not to exceed $64.88.

* Approved advertising rates in the amount of $50 and $75 for spaces to be sold on the Native American dances poster.