Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Blazin’ M Ranch

Blazin’ M Ranch

Blazin’ M Ranch Offering Holiday Hoedown

By Leave a Comment

The Blazin’ M Ranch has become a recognized attraction in the Verde Valley, cited as a Tripadvisor “Traveler’s Choice.”

Crisp fall days and evenings illuminated by bright moons of harvest season make fall holiday celebrations especially memorable in the greater Verde Valley. Adding to the magic of the season is the Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, where actors are delivering the “Holiday Hoedown” from Nov. 29 through Dec.30.

“It will be an unforgettable holiday experience,” said owner Ryan Glass, who promises to have the appealing Western Fronter town in full service, including a saloon, shops, wagon rides, target shooting, axe throwing and other activities.

Special entertainment is planned for the younger kids, with face-painting, bounce houses, miniature golf, wall climbing, a mechanical bull, pumpkin decorating and live music.

On show nights, following a filling home-cooked meal of chicken, BBQ ribs, side dishes and spice cake with cream cheese, the Blazin’ M Ramblers will perform a one-hour Western show.

“We’ve tailored it this year to make it even more fresh and clever,” said Glass. “We’ve scheduled some talented entertainers to fill the evening, with the music of Chris Stapleton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys, Tonya Tucker, Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline.”

Glass and his wife, Leila, say the business has grown since they opened last spring. “Return visits were up, and tour busses began bringing guests here,” said Leila.

Ryan add, “A lot of seniors began coming back this fall and on weekends, parents from the cities showed up with carloads of kids. In fact, when I received the number from July 2021 compared to this July in 2022, I was surprised to see we had more than 23,000 guests. That’s phenomenal when you realize that during the height of the pandemic, we were totally shut down.”

The Blazin’ M Ranch has become a recognized attraction in the Verde Valley, cited as a Tripadvisor “Traveler’s Choice.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Group rates are available and tickets may be purchased at the gate at 1875 Mabery Ranch Road or by calling the main counter at 800-937-8643. Visit the Blazin’ M Ranch website at: https://www.loc8nearme.com/arizona/cottonwood/blazin-m-ranch/3640531/.

Blazin’ M Ranch Builds on Entertainment

By Leave a Comment

New owners circling the wagons for continued improvement.

Several hundred people, including a lot of youngsters, attended the soft opening of the recently completed “Be Wild Family Fun Park” addition at the popular Blazin’ M Ranch Wild West dinner theater in Cottonwood.

Owners Ryan and Leila Glass purchased the property more than a year ago from longtime owner Lory Mabery and her family.

Expansion involved developing acreage on the east side of the property to include activities such as a nine-hole putt-putt golf course, a rock-climbing wall, a bungee jumping pad, a Gelleyball paintball field, a remote-control car racing track and a bounce house.

The spring Be Wild event included two days of activities in April, culminating with a chuckwagon cowboy dinner, complete with the Blazin’ M Ramblers and their live musical entertainment in the large climate-controlled barn.

“We retained the same legacy the family had over the years: family-friendly, wholesome entertainment that would embarrass no one,” said Ryan Glass. “Those large crowds the show attracted over the years had positive economic impact.”

Even so, Glass said the pandemic made it difficult to attract visitors and audiences back to the ranch. “COVID shut Blazin’ M down for 18 months. We have to regain attention of the larger ‘out there’ public. We only took ownership a little over a year ago, so you can imagine the intensity of our planning for a new program and new marketing strategy.”

Glass complimented the Town of Cottonwood and local chambers of commerce for their support as the operation has experienced more customers, including visitors from out of state.

”This was a fun place to discover,” said Kelly and Keven Karenski from Kalama, Washington. “Great saloon and drinks, super chuck wagon and lots of enjoyable country music.”

“We flew out to Arizona to see some of my family. We heard about Blazin’ M. We’ve sure got nothing like it back home. We’ll return,” said Terry Rippetoe of Liberal, Kansas.

Lindy Heitschmitt from Forgan, Oklahoma said, “I’d heard about this area and the nearby Red Rock Country. I’m so glad we’re here. I’ll want to see it again.”

Improvements to come include an addition of 30 full-sized Conestoga wagons, made popular during the land rush days in the West and Southwest.

“As soon as approval is granted by the Town of Cottonwood, we’re finishing installing the utility lines and literally circle the wagons at the south end of our eight-and-a-half acres to create a comfortable campsite. The U.S.-manufactured Conestogas will be fully equipped – big bed, bathroom, shower and more. Some can accommodate up to four people. We’ll also have three yurts – circular tents made out of felt or fabric like the Mongolians use. They’ll all be ADA-accessible,” said Glass.

Another addition will be a wedding area: 4,000-square-feet of manicured property.

The additions are designed to enhance existing attractions, including the Copper Spur Saloon, Red Garter Olde Tyme Photo Studio, Wood ’n West Galley, gifts shops, shooting gallery, mechanical bull and old-fashioned wagon ride, pulled by a vintage tractor.

To handle the growth, the Glasses have hired about 30 people to work at Blazin‘ M, many from the Verde Valley, Sedona, Prescott Valley and Prescott areas. Some of the musicians have professional experience from major entertainment centers in Hollywood and Las Vegas. QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN

For more information, contact the Blazin’ M. Ranch at 928-634-0334 or visit
blazinm.com.