A Story Three Decades in the Making
There's a place just 20 minutes down the road from Sedona where the red rocks give way to a full-on frontier town, where kids and grandparents alike find themselves hollering along to a live country show, and where the smell of slow-smoked pulled pork and the crack of an axe hitting its target set the tone for one of the most memorable evenings in the Verde Valley. That place is The Blazin' M Ranch in Cottonwood - and for more than three decades, it has been delivering exactly what its guests come looking for: real western hospitality, genuine family fun, and a whole lot of heart.
Some businesses are built on an idea. The Blazin' M Ranch was built on a family's dream.
When the gates first opened back in 1994, founder Chuck Mabery - alongside his son Dan and daughter-in-law Lori - had a simple but powerful vision: give people an authentic taste of the American West through great food, live entertainment, and the kind of warm welcome you'd expect from a neighbor, not a corporation. From day one, it was a true family endeavor, with every Mabery rolling up their sleeves to build something worth coming back to. Over the years, the ranch grew into one of the Verde Valley's most beloved destinations, drawing locals and travelers from across the country and around the world who returned year after year - not just for the shows and the food, but for the feeling that they were being welcomed into someone's home.
When the unexpected challenges of 2020 forced the ranch's doors to close, the Mabery family made the difficult but thoughtful decision to pass the reins to someone who could continue building on everything they had created.
New Stewards, Same Soul
Enter the Glass family - a couple whose passion for entertainment, hospitality, and community made them the natural next chapter in the ranch's story. You may know them better by their stage names: Tex Westley and the irrepressible Miss Dinah-Might.
Ryan and Leila Glass brought with them not only boundless energy and talent, but a deep respect for the legacy they were inheriting.
From the moment they took ownership, it was clear this wasn't just a business acquisition - it was a calling. Rather than simply maintaining what was already working, the Glass family poured creativity and love into expanding the experience at every turn. They've approached every addition and upgrade with one question in mind: Will our guests love this? The answer, judging by the glowing reviews pouring in from near and far, is a resounding yes.
More to Explore Than Ever Before
The Blazin' M has always been a full evening's worth of adventure, but today's ranch offers more ways to play, discover, and make memories than at any point in its history.
Before the dinner bell rings, the frontier town comes alive with activities that bring out the inner cowboy in everyone. Axe throwing proves surprisingly therapeutic and wildly addictive, while the shooting gallery, old-tyme photo studio, and mini golf offer perfect opportunities to slow down and soak in the atmosphere. The escape room challenges guests to put their wits to the test before they dig into dinner, and the mechanical bull is always good for a cheer from the crowd - along with a few laughs.
One of the most beloved new additions is the half-scale, 72-passenger train that winds its way through the property. A delightful ride for families and train enthusiasts alike, it has quickly become a highlight that guests of all ages eagerly line up for.
And then there's the petting zoo, which has grown into something truly special. Guests delight in meeting the ranch's ever-expanding family of animal residents - curious goats, strutting peacocks, gentle alpacas - and perhaps no one steals hearts quite like the ranch's most famous four-legged celebrity, a miniature horse named “Gucci”. She's an absolute crowd favorite, and yes, she absolutely knows it.
A Feast Fit for the Frontier
When the dinner bell rings, guests make their way into the climate-controlled barn for a chuckwagon spread that never disappoints. The star of the plate is slow-smoked pulled pork, served alongside a selection of the ranch's own in-house sauces - each one crafted with its own personality, from smoky and rich to tangy and bold. Guests love sampling their way through the options to find their favorite.
Rounding out the feast are creamy mashed potatoes, a crisp and refreshing prickly pear coleslaw - a ranch signature - and macaroni and cheese that earns its own fan club. The meal finishes with a sweet dessert, and no table goes without the honey butter cornbread muffins, which arrive fresh and warm and have a well-earned reputation for flying across the room when tossed by the serving crew. Complimentary lemonade, iced tea, and coffee are included, with a cash bar available for those who'd like something extra. And seconds? Always welcome.
The Show That Steals the Night
When the lights dim and the music swells, the crowd leans in - and what follows is an hour of pure western entertainment that guests simply don't see coming. Live country music rings through the barn as Ryan Glass and Eric “Wild Man” Williams deliver powerful, foot-stomping performances of classic American favorites, from the thundering rhythm of Johnny Cash to the rockabilly fire of Jerry Lee Lewis.
And then there's Miss Dinah-Might - Leila Glass herself - who brings down the house with a high-energy can-can performance that traces its roots back to the vibrant music halls of 19th-century Europe, where the dance captivated audiences before making its way across the ocean and into the saloons of the American frontier. It's a genuine piece of western entertainment history, alive and kicking right here in the Verde Valley.
The show isn't just entertaining - it's genuinely talented. Guests who arrive with modest expectations routinely walk out saying it was the highlight of their entire Sedona trip. Families with teenagers, couples celebrating anniversaries, groups of friends who just needed a night out - the ranch has a way of winning over every kind of crowd.
"This family is truly talented... We just came from seeing several Vegas shows, and this was the one our family loved most." - Blazin' M Ranch Guest
Built for Everyone, Remembered by All
What makes The Blazin' M Ranch endure - across ownership transitions, across three decades, across the inevitable ups and downs of the world - is something that can't be manufactured. It's the feeling guests get when they walk through those gates: that someone genuinely cares about making their evening special.
Whether you're a Sedona first-timer looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, a local searching for a perfect night out, or a family hoping to create memories that outlast the vacation photos - The Blazin' M Ranch delivers.
Shows run most Wednesdays through Saturdays, with gates opening at 5:00 p.m. Tickets and event details can be found at blazinm.com
