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Unexpected Christmas Decorations in Oatman, AZ

By
Real Estate Agent with Dirt Road Real Estate SA676002000

Yesterday the DIRT ROAD REAL ESTATE work family, met out on the west side of Oatman, AZ on old Route 66 to participate in an annual Oatman Christmas event. Each Christmas holiday season, individuals and small businesses are encouraged to decorate a tree or bush with Christmas decorations.  The registration funds are designated to feed the wild burros (donkeys).

For those not familiar with Oatman, AZ, this old , historic mining town has numerous wild burros, will actually tamed burros, that freely roam the streets and sidewalk. These burros today are the descendants from the original burros the miners brought in the 1800's.

Each entry is judged, and the winner is acknowledged.

I believe the efforts of the DIRT ROAD REAL ESTATE work family showed creativity as well as a uniqueness.  There were approximately 20 plus bushes already decorated along old Route 66. One bush was decorated with American flags.  The color theme usually was red an silver.

DIRT ROAD REAL ESTATE already are making plans for 2025 Christmas holiday and have selected a theme including colors.

How often do we fail to see local events that support charities because we are too busy with our own real estate practices, our holiday to do lists, etc.?

Taking time to smell the roses or in this case decorate a high desert bush as well as pet the burros is well worth the effort.

Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.

Feature Photo Courtesy of Leanne M Smith

Any reproduction of Leanne M Smith’s blog for use by any AI or GAI, distribution or reproduction including but not limited to electronic newsletters e.g. PDF’s Internet sites or physical products e.g. newspapers, CDs without prior written permission and consent by me, Leanne M. Smith (Leanne Hoagland-Smith) is strictly prohibited.

Posted by

Leanne M. Smith, MS, GRI, rCRMS

2018 KGVAR Rookie Realtor of the Year-55+
219.508.2859 MST
Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends
Connect with me on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/leannehoaglandsmith
Show All Comments Sort:
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Oh my goodness, Leanne... how fun is this? I love the whole concept of doing this support the wild burros... and had no idea about them until I read your post.

Dec 04, 2024 06:57 AM
Leanne Smith

Good afternoon Nina Hollander, Broker and yes it was fun. The burros are a hoot and a half. Of course walking through Oatman one must be careful. 😉🤠

Dec 04, 2024 11:49 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Leanne - with Christmas 2025 preparationss already in process, it sounds as if Dirt Road Realty is designing plans for the future in multiple ways.  

Dec 04, 2024 07:03 AM
Leanne Smith

I believe you are correct in that assessment Michael Jacobs and thank you for your insight.

Dec 04, 2024 11:48 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Love the mules. Thank you for sharing the information. Wishing you continued success. Have a wonderful day and sell a house. Bill

 

Bill Salvatore / Arizona Elite Properties

Dec 04, 2024 07:43 AM
Leanne Smith

The burros are indeed unique.  Thank you and I just put some vacant land under contract.

Dec 04, 2024 11:47 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Such a great post. The world is filled with interesting and inspired people...isn't it

Dec 04, 2024 08:07 AM
Leanne Smith

Yes the world indeed is filled with interesting and inspired people. Thank you for your comment.

Dec 04, 2024 11:47 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for telling us about these special holiday activities.

Enjoy your local events!

Dec 04, 2024 12:58 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes and there are more to come. I will post those as well.

Dec 05, 2024 10:13 AM
Philip A. Raices
Turn Key Real Estate - Great Neck, NY
1 of the Most Knowledgeable Brokers on the Net!

Hi Leanne, What a cool post, Oatman is another town worth visiting.  The last time I traveled across the U.S. was in 1973 w/my best friend Ed Diamond, who I still seeing today (know him see I was 4)!  We traversed Route 66 and what a blast we had!  Not sure what is left of that route?

Dec 04, 2024 02:21 PM
Leanne Smith

Kingman has really grown since 1973.  Rt 66 is no longer a federal highway and still runs from Chicago to LA. We live 1.6 miles off Rt. 66 in Golden Valley (just to the southwest of Kingman) and drive it on a frequent basis into historic Kingman.

Dec 05, 2024 10:13 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

About 15 years ago, I was actually in Oatman 3 days before Christmas.  I witnessed the Christmas trees on the side of the road leading into the town.  What I had almost forgot was being in a shop, and when I went to pay for something, I felt a nudge from behind.  It was a burro, who had snuck in behind me.

Dec 04, 2024 06:07 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes the burros are quite insistent as always looking for food and pets.

Dec 05, 2024 10:11 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Leanne- what a creative and fun way to celebrate the season as well as raise funds for the burros. While I've seen a few horses tied up outside a Starbucks here, it is not the norm. 

Dec 04, 2024 06:36 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes it was fun and creative being  a group effort. I have yet to see horses tied up in Oatman tho I have seen considerable riders on the various roads here in Mohave County,

Dec 05, 2024 10:11 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Leanne Smith  loved your post and the comments above, needless to say I loved the last photo:)Endre

Dec 04, 2024 10:19 PM
Leanne Smith

Glad you enjoyed the posting and the photo of the very friendly burros.

Dec 05, 2024 10:09 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

That certainly looks festive and it seems like you ladies had a lot of fun decorating it together!

Dec 05, 2024 05:15 AM
Leanne Smith

We indeed had a lot of fun. 

Dec 05, 2024 10:09 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dec 07, 2024 06:00 PM
Leanne Smith

So appreciate the feature, thank you and Good morning to you.

Dec 08, 2024 08:27 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Leanne Smith ,

I'm so glad that Kathy Streib featured your post in her Sunday Series as I missed it! I love the creative and fun way to celebrate the season as well as raise funds for the burros! Well done!

Dec 08, 2024 06:26 AM
Leanne Smith

Good morning Dorie Dillard Austin TX I am grateful for these featured post series as I too often fail to read many of the posts. Yes it was a lot of fund and extra benefit was helping to maintain funds for the burros.

Dec 08, 2024 07:38 AM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

I loved this post / photo....my sister in law is from AZ and I sent it to her so it was enjoyed by family too!!!

Dec 08, 2024 12:15 PM
Leanne Smith

Thank you for sharing and good to know you enjoyed the photo Take care.

Dec 08, 2024 08:36 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Leanne:

What a fun thing to do and with such an important benefit for the wild burros! Love the photos!

Jeff

Dec 08, 2024 05:08 PM
Leanne Smith

Glad you enjoyed the photos and yes it was a fun activity. Thank you and good evening.

Dec 08, 2024 08:33 PM
Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

This sounds like such a great event, and a popular one, too. 20+ decorated bushes along the road leading into town, and all for a wonderful cause. I had no idea about the wild donkeys. We have wild ponies in Maryland, but this is the first time I have heard about wild burros. 

Dec 09, 2024 11:13 AM
Leanne Smith

Good afternoon and the wild burros are plentiful in Mohave County. We often see them in the open field across the road. I agree a great event to help support these wild creatures which enhance the tourism for Oatman.

Dec 12, 2024 12:54 PM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Thanks for taking us to your dirt roads Leanne. "Oatman" has quite a history in Arizona. Jeff

Dec 09, 2024 04:34 PM
Leanne Smith

Yes Oatman does have quite the history. 

Dec 12, 2024 12:54 PM