Story and photos submitted by Prescott Tombstone Connection
Join the gathering downtown for Prescott’s Doc HolliDaze weekend, Aug. 14-16.
The celebration promotes the history of Prescott for a fun weekend for locals and out of town attendees. A discounted All Weekend Pass includes entrance to all events for $165, and tickets for individual events are available as well at www.PrescottTombstoneConnection.org.
Begin the weekend with a Victorian Garden Party at Sharlot Hall Museum Aug. 14, beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a downtown Saloon Crawl.
First stroll the 4 acres of gardens and historic buildings of this iconic museum.
Then try several local watering holes. Guests receive a wooden nickel for one special Doc Drink. Western or 1880’s period attire is encouraged.
On Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., learn history during the Wild West History Forum at the Elks Theatre. Scheduled speakers include Roy Young, Mark Boardman, Peter Brand, Michael Paul Mihaljeich and Anastasia Sitnina. Seating for forum is general admission.
Then a lunch break from noon to 1:30 p.m., a catered lunch will be available at the Hassayampa Inn’s Marina Room.
After the forum, there will be a grave marker dedication for JD Kinnear’s grave at the Pioneer’s Home Cemetery at 4 p.m. The dedication is free. The grave marker has been arranged and funded by the Wild West History Association.
Doc’s Birthday Party and Whiskey/Cigar Tasting will 6 to 9 p.m. at the Marina Room at the Hassayampa Inn, with a buffet dinner and birthday cake! Enjoy dancing under the stars, and meet Doc Holliday (impersonator Cory Allen from Tombstone).
A selection of whiskeys will be provided for sampling, and if you find one you like, full size drinks will be available at the no-host bar. Visit with our History Forum speakers and enjoy a talk by Bradley G. Courtney on Doc’s paramour, “Big Nose” Kate.
Learn to play faro and try one of the selection of cigars presented for sale by Ol’ Havana Cigar Bar. 1880’s period or Western attire is encouraged.
On Aug. 16 beginning at 1 p.m., Walking History Tours will be provided by local historians.
The weekend is a celebration of John Henry “Doc” Holliday’s time in Prescott prior to his fateful move to Tombstone. In 2024, Whiskey Row Historian Bradley G. Courtney and researcher D. Sue Kissell learned the location of the house where John Henry “Doc” Holliday lived. It was located off Montezuma Street in what is now the parking lot between Bashford Courts and Yavapai Title.
A fundraising effort was launched to create a bronze plaque commemorating the location, and the plaque was placed by the City of Prescott in the easement. An unveiling event followed, and the committee elected to continue to celebrate Doc Holliday’s Prescott tenure with an annual event on the weekend closest to his Aug. 14 birthday.
A commemorative booklet, Doc Holliday in Prescott, written by Bradley Courtney, will be available at the event, as will books and artwork by the History Forum presenters.
The event’s host hotels are The Hassayampa Inn and Hotel St. Michael. Ask for their Prescott’s Doc HolliDaze rates.
Tickets are limited and available online only. Proceeds benefit Sharlot Hall Museum and the Wild West History Association. For more information, call 928.713.5136 or email prescott.tombstone@gmail.com.
