Drop It Like It’s 1927
Route 66’s Centennial Countdown
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of the City of Williams
When Dee Dee Mahan stood at a Christmas party in 2024 and turned to her significant other Russell with an audacious proposal — “What if we did a car drop?” — she set in motion what would become Williams’ most ambitious New Year’s Eve celebration yet.
The idea seemed perfectly suited to Williams’ identity: a town that was the last on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40, now poised to become the first to launch the Route 66 Centennial in unforgettable style. And what better way to honor the Mother Road’s legacy than with a 1927 Chevrolet Capitol — a rolling tribute to the year Route 66 was officially established.
“City Manager Tim Pettit challenged me to dream up something bold — something Williams had never done before,” says Mahan, executive assistant for the city of Williams. “Flagstaff has its pinecone drop. Prescott has its boot drop. But Williams, the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, deserved something as iconic and timeless as the Mother Road itself.”
The engineering behind the spectacle honors both the car’s vintage pedigree and the community’s commitment to preservation. A custom-fabricated cradle system will protect the 99-year-old, fully operational Chevrolet as it’s lowered inch by inch over a replica gas station set while the crowd counts down from 10. At midnight, “Auld Lang Syne” will fill the mountain air, fireworks will illuminate the sky, and Williams will welcome 2026 in true Route 66 fashion.
“We won’t be harming the car in any way,” Mahan emphasizes. “It will be safely lowered, inch by inch, as the crowd counts down from 10.”
The car drop anchors an evening that transforms historic downtown Williams into a full-scale celebration. A beer and wine festival, live entertainment from emcee and DJ Joseph Howe, and the midnight fireworks display promise to draw both locals and travelers looking for an authentic Arizona New Year’s Eve experience.
For Williams, the event represents more than just a novel way to ring in the new year. It’s a declaration of the town’s enduring spirit — a quality that has defined Williams since the day Interstate 40 rerouted traffic away from its main street.
“Williams was the last town on Route 66 to be bypassed by Interstate 40, and for a time, our future felt uncertain,” Mahan reflects. “But like a true Route 66 story, the spirit of Williams never faded. Thanks to the Grand Canyon Railway and the determination of our residents and business owners, we’ve brought this roadside town back to life, restoring the magic that made Route 66 legendary.”
That restoration isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about creating new traditions that honor the past while securing the future. The car drop, Mahan hopes, will become an annual pilgrimage point for Route 66 enthusiasts and families alike.
“Our vision is simple yet powerful: to keep the heritage and heart of Route 66 alive for generations to come,” she says. “The Car Drop is more than a one-night spectacle — it’s the beginning of a new Williams tradition.”
What excites Mahan most isn’t the spectacle itself but the gathering it creates.
“What excites me most is seeing our entire community — lifelong residents and newcomers alike — gathered together, sharing laughter, memories and a renewed sense of pride,” she says. “For the antique car enthusiasts and Route 66 fanatics, this is a moment to honor both the vehicles and the people who have made this road iconic.”
The ultimate goal? To reignite the economic vitality that once defined Williams, bringing renewed energy to the shops, motels and restaurants that have weathered decades along the Mother Road.
“We want visitors to feel the warmth, charm and nostalgia of Williams so deeply that when they leave, they can’t help but say, ‘We can’t wait to return to Williams, Arizona — the Gateway to the Grand Canyon, home of Route 66 and the only little big town with a Vintage New Year’s Eve Car Drop!’” Mahan says.
Williams New Year’s Eve Car Drop
Wednesday, Dec. 31 // 8 p.m.–1 a.m. // Historic Downtown Williams // 200 W. Railroad Ave., Williams // Free // williamsaz.gov