The 30th Anniversary Willo Home Tour a Tremendous Success

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1520634519852{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}”]Once again, the Willo historic district showed off by presenting an impressive mix of beautiful homes, exceptional vendors, delicious food, awesome music, and outstanding pre-tour events.

An enormous thank you to each homeowner who graciously opened their home to the public. It is due to their generosity that the home tour has seen its 30th year.

• Win and Francesca Thomas
• Bob and Diana Herman
• Kristen Ray
• Bruce and Sandy Voris
• Patrice Wappel and Decker Williams
• Anna Lauri
• Jacquie Kalinowski
• Rich Brown and Daniel Salentinig
• Evan and Amanda Boxwell
• Suzanne Bay and James Zhou
• Kelly and Tasha Aubey
• Diana and Vince Bicicchi
• Tom Saggio

After a sold out Twilight Tour on Saturday, the Willo Affair commenced under the stars with music by Low Key Piano Bar in Tempe featuring Ben Murphy, James Mitchell, and Adam Saxe. The catering and menu were thoughtfully prepared by Michael Zistatsis of Alexi’s Grill.

Vice Mayor Laura Pastor spoke briefly at the Willo Affair praising the Willo neighborhood for its vibrancy, pride of ownership, and community connectedness that make it a model community. Other city and state elected officials in attendance included City Councilwoman Kate Gallego, Senator Catherine Miranda, and  Congressman Rueben Gallego.

Sunday, February 11, tour day arrived under sunny skies and a glorious 76-degree forecast. Ticket sales were brisk the entire day and people, many who had gone to previous Willo tours, were excited to see this year’s homes. Vendors lined Holly and Monte Vista offering merchandise old and new, as well as services and information booths. Adding to the festivities was music from the past five decades provided by the ever-popular cover band, Furious George, who play regularly at Copper Blues in CityScape. Band members have said they like the Willo street fair, which include some of their favorite “F” words: free, fun, food trucks, and family friendly.

The Willo Classic Car Show was back for its 18th year. 28 classic vehicles were on display with the oldest being a 1928 Packard and the two newest being a 1972 Triumph Spitfire and a 1972 Cutlass convertible.

The 30th Annual Willo Historic Home Tour and Street Fair was a huge success. Without the cohesive help of the entire neighborhood, this event could never happen. This year’s home tour proceeds will benefit people living in the Willo by supporting Kid’s Club, Luminarias, the Inside Willo newsletter, Willo beautification, legal, professional, and insurance fees.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”2439,2440,2441,2442,2443,2444,2445,2446″ column_number=”4″ grayscale=”no” images_space=”gallery_without_space” css=”.vc_custom_1520634533514{margin-bottom: 25px !important;}”][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1520633859734{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1520633789048{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #518ca8 !important;}”][vc_column_text]“We had a great experience. Happy to have been able to share the house, especially with our neighbors who waited SO long to see the finished product.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1520633757444{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1520633713352{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #a73d2d !important;}”][vc_column_text]“When I first moved to Phoenix, not knowing anyone, I got involved in the Home Tour Brunch Committee. Never in a million years did I dream of having my home (I was renting back then) on tour… much less two of my homes! While it was an undertaking, it was so rewarding to get to be a part of the tour in this capacity and to get to brag on my neighborhood and this community I adore as a homeowner.“[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1520633757444{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1520633878061{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #cebb3b !important;}”][vc_column_text]“It was a very rewarding experience to have so much positive feedback about our home from the community. People were polite, and very appreciative of us opening our house for tour.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1520633859734{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1520633789048{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #518ca8 !important;}”][vc_column_text]“It was a great event for me. I appreciate all the help your team provided and thought it was very organized. Looking forward to next year.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner row_type=”row” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1520633757444{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 15px !important;}”][vc_column_inner el_class=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1520633713352{padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #a73d2d !important;}”][vc_column_text]“Thank you for having me as a vendor! Willo has always been one of my favorite home tours!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]