FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Josh Gray Phone 928-202-6618 [email protected]

Blazin' M Ranch Barrels into a New Season

Cottonwood, Arizona - Blazin' M Ranch Wild West Adventure recently underwent an extensive renovation with new shops and fresh interpretive and interactive displays. A new saloon and wine store are on the immediate horizon. The Copper Spur Saloon will feature Verde Valley wines, local suds and spirits, while Bootlegger's will offer wine-tastings, as well as purvey regional wines, tequilas and salsas. As a member of the popular Verde Valley Wine Trail, the Ranch participated in the Painted Wine Barrel public art project. Blazin' M's brightly-colored barrel was painted with cowboy boots, a western landscape and grapes before three-dimensional cowboy memorabilia was added. Popular local artist Sallie Cross painted the barrel as visitors to the Ranch gathered around and watched the barrel painting take shape. Cross' whimsical style can be seen throughout the Blazin' M Ranch property, especially on the many life-size historic characters used by guests to create fun photographic memories. Her work also may be seen at Clarkdale's Main Street Café, Cottonwood's Tico Boutique and on a number of murals throughout the area. Raised in California, she has lived in Arizona for 35 years, arriving in the Verde Valley in 1989. "I am really excited about the barrel project," said Cross. "It's pulling the community together. This area is so beautiful and there are such great artists here ... and such yummy wineries!" The Blazin' M Ranch's Painted Wine Barrel is on display at the Ranch, which is open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. In spring of 2012, the artistic barrels will be auctioned off during a Painted Barrel event sponsored by the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce. They foresee this ongoing project as a novel way to promote the Verde Valley as a premiere winery and arts destination. Everyone is welcome to tour Blazin’ M’s rollicking Western town and view Cross’ artwork firsthand. For more information on the Blazin' M Ranch Wild West Adventure, please visit www.blazinm.com, or call 800-937-8643.

### You’ll be Wild about Our West