Festivals

17th ANNUAL CHANDLER MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL, Chandler | The Chandler Multicultural Festival is a five hour event where culture and diversity is celebrated through two stages of entertainment, food/beverage booths, craft and information booths, and a kids area. Entertainment ranges from dancing to singing to playing instruments and much more. (January 14, 2012)

54th HEARD MUSEUM GUILD INDIAN FAIR AND MARKET, Phoenix | One of Arizona’s most significant cultural events, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market is a world-acclaimed festival that draws nearly 20,000 visitors and over 700 of the nation’s most outstanding and successful American Indian artists. (March 3- 4, 2012)

2011 ROUNDUP & OPEN HOUSE AT THE EMPIRE RANCH, Sonoita| The 2011 Roundup & Open House at the Historic Empire Ranch celebrates 135 years of ranching history, showcasing past and present cowboy and ranch life at the Empire Ranch. Ranching heritage displays and storytelling, cattle and horse demonstrations of roping and riding, branding, horseshoeing are among the more than 70 presenters scheduled. Historic wagons displays, barbecue favorites and old fashioned Dutch oven desserts, auctions and raffles make for fun, family friendly festivities. (November 5, 2011)

4TH OF JULY ALL AMERICAN FESTIVAL & CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, Peoria, Maricopa | Peoria’s 4th of July Celebration of Nationhood and Arizona’s Statehood.(July 4th, 2011)

ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND FAIRE, Phoenix | Through the years, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Faire has celebrated Irish Culture and traditions and the 2011 event “Arizona’s Irish Celebrate the Centennial”will include special features to celebrate Arizona’s upcoming Centennial.  The parade is the second largest parade in Arizona and the faire features Irish entertainment, crafts, foods, etc. celebrating and preserving the rich and varied contributions of the Irish culture. (March 12, 2011)

AJO ARTS ALIVE! ARIZONA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION, Ajo | Ajo Arts Alive! Arts & Culture Celebration celebrates Arizona’s Centennial with a variety of arts & cultural activities including a quilt show, an old-time fiddler contest, open artist studios, art exhibits, an old-time vaudeville show, a historic home tour, the Sonoran Shindig Desert Festival, musical performances, and more. Some activities are FREE, others have an admission fee. FREE –Open Artist Studios, Art Exhibits, Sonoran Shindig Fiddler’s Contest & Show — $5 per activity Ajo Piecemakers “Quilting in the Sonoran Desert” Quilt Show — $2 per person Igor’s Jazz Cowboys Musical Performance — $12 per person Old Time Vaudeville Show — $7 per person Historic Home Tour — $10 per person (February 2- 11, 2012)

ARIZONA CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN PEORIA, Peoria Sports Complex | The Friday evening event will feature an old time’s baseball game with retired Major League Baseball players, kids activities and a fireworks display following the baseball game.  Saturday morning, Centennial Plaza and Decade walk – an approved AHAC Legacy Project – will be dedicated by members of the Peoria City Council. Following the dedication are a community breakfast and art gallery exhibits from Cooperstown in the City Hall Art Gallery. (February 3-4, 2012)

ARIZONA GAME AND FISH OUTDOOR FESTIVAL, Coconino | An event to highlight the outdoors, wildlife, outdoor activities, environmental education and more. There will be booths each with something special and one booth in particular celebrating the Centennial.  (TBD)

ARIZONA HUMANITIES FESTIVAL: STORIES OF US, Phoenix| A vibrant celebration of the cultures that surround us, the stories that define us, and the histories that connect us. The event is taking place during National Arts and Humanities month at the new Downtown Civic Space Park and the adjacent Downtown ASU Campus. The event will include exhibitors and on-going programming throughout the day. (October 22, 2011)

AZ CENTENNIAL MOMENT OF STATEHOOD BELL COMMUNITY RINGING, Sedona | A celebratory bell ringing for Arizona’s 100th Birthday! Dignitaries, professional bell-ringers music, refreshments, 2:14 pm simultaneous community-wide ringing of bells including “Sedona’s bell’ which hangs in the steeple at Wayside Chapel. A public birthday party is to follow the bell ringing. (February 14, 2012)

ARIZONA SCITECH FESTIVAL, Venues throughout the state| Over 90% of the events will be free of charge, however some may have a small attendance fee to reimburse costs of materials and/or venue. (February 1 – March 12, 2012)

ARIZONA STATE FAIR, Phoenix | Since 1884, the Arizona State Fair (then, the Territorial Fair), has been a community gathering place rich with heritage that highlights the state’s agriculture and livestock industries, as well as provides a forum to showcase the many talents that Arizonans have through entry contests and community stage performances. The Fair also features national headline concert artists, state of the art carnival rides, and the latest wacky foods, with literally something for everyone to enjoy. Drawing over a million people per year, the Arizona State Fair offers the best in affordable, family entertainment. (October 14 – November 6, 2011 Closed Mondays and Tuesdays, Centennial Event Oct 22- Oct 23)

BRAVO PEORIA 100!, Peoria | Bravo Peoria is a celebration of literature, arts and culture in the community.  Bringing together the city, schools, local organizations and businesses, this event will feature entertainment, education and cultural displays and activities that portray events in Arizona’s history and is dedicated to the celebration of Arizonans and their transportation, past and present.  (March 12, 2011)

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE AT THE QUARTERMASTER DEPOT STATE HISTORIC PARK, Yuma| The Christmas Village at the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park is a magical Christmas village with thousands of lights decorating the park, along with walk-in sized playhouses including stores, a gingerbread cottage, and Santa’s Workshop. These playhouses have been sponsored by local businesses. Admission to the village is $5 for the first visit and $1 for subsequent visits. Visitors purchase a Polar Pass for admittance. (December 16 – 23, 2011)

FIESTA DE SEPTIEMBRE, | A celebration with activities throughout the day including mariachi groups, folklorico dancers, Latin bands, arts and crafts, salsa contests and much more. (September 3, 2011)

FIESTA SAHUARITA, |The Fiesta brings the community of Sahuarita together for a day of family fun and community support. It is a great time to enjoy the beautiful southern Arizona community with family and friends, network, and make new friends. (Septmeber 24, 2011)

FOUNDER’S DAY FESTIVAL, Marana| Founders’ Day is a celebration of Marana’s 1977 incorporation. The event is being expanded from one day to four this year and includes a parade, carnival, live entertainment and various historical displays. (October 27-30, 2011)

FREEDOM WIRELESS FABULOUS PHOENIX, Phoenix| An independence Day celebration featuring three stages of entertainment as well as one of the largest firework displays in the southwest. (July 4, 2011).

FREEDOM FEST 2011 – ARIZONA CENTENNIAL, Show Low | Show Low hosts one of the largest Independence Day events in the state. Our community swells to nearly 50,000 freedom loving citizens looking for an opportunity to escape the heat and enjoy Main Street America. Freedom Fest activities include parade, concert, fireworks, food and craft vendors and family games. (July 4, 2011).

GLENDALE FOLK & HERITGAE FESTIVAL, Glendale | The City of Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival is a one of a kind special event held in the Valley of the Sun. Formally known as the Phoenix Folk Traditions Music Festival, Glendale Parks and Recreation adopted this engaging cultural event in 2009 and transformed it into a full-scale folk and heritage festival at the Sahuaro Ranch Park Historic Area. The event is now a nationally recognized, two-day celebration of folk music and related history and culture. A festival committee comprised of recreation staff and six community volunteers formed in July of 2008 to bring the event to Glendale. Committee volunteers were carefully recruited based on experience with folk music events and their ability to reach the folk music community. The volunteers on the committee have over 100 years of combined experience with folk music. This event offers 150 individual performances and 52 workshops throughout the weekend. All talent for performances and workshops is completely donated by musicians and instructors. Patrons choose from musical styles ranging from folk and bluegrass to cowboy poetry and storytelling. Workshops are developed to attract an audience of beginner musicians to accomplished songwriters. The workshops focus on providing a non-intimidating environment for new musicians/songwriters to learn and grow their skills as well as introducing instruments and music to children in a fun atmosphere. This innovative event takes advantage of the entire 17-acre Sahuaro Ranch historic site. The facility hosts five music performance venues, four workshop venues, and an established “jam session” area for musician participation. (March 24-25, 2012).

HIGH COUNTRY HUMMERS FESTVIVAL, Eagar| The High Country Hummers Festival is an annual nature festival based on educating the public on the natural history of hummingbird species occurring in Arizona’s higher elevation forests. It is hosted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department at the Department’s Sipe White Mountain Wildlife Area (Sipe), and has been conducted each year beginning in 2003. The one-day event is always conducted on the last Saturday in July because it is the peak of the hummingbird migration through this part of Arizona and to maintain consistent data collection each year on captured birds. It is open to the public from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
The primary program consists of staff and volunteers from the Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO) – a non-profit scientific and educational organization based in Bisbee – capturing, measuring and banding hummingbirds on site. The public is able to observe each phase of this process up close, ask questions and take close-up photos. The SABO staff also presents a detailed PowerPoint on hummingbird natural history.
There are other peripheral exhibitors, booths and activities during the morning, including a program on basic birding skills given by the White Mountain Audubon Chapter and a live wildlife exhibit set up by the Department’s Adobe Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The public moves at its own pace among exhibitors and presentations. (July 28, 2012).

LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS, Tucson | Tucson’s oldest community event, La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, is celebrating Arizona’s Centennial at their 86th annual rodeo. The nine-day rodeo celebrates the Western heritage and traditions of Arizona’s cowboys and ranchers and brings in visitors from all over the world.  (February 19-27, 2011).

LA PAZ COUNTY FAIR, Parker | Our theme will be “Celebrating Arizona at the La Paz County Fair” and we will be using the Arizona Centennial as the main focus for Fair book which is distributed throughout the County and also the exhibit hall will have themed booths that include Arizona history, agriculture and education. The teachers also work with all of their students to provide educational displays that will be focused on the Arizona Centennial and history. We have also teamed with the history museum and its members to help us accurately portray history in our county. (March 8-11, 2012)

LIGHT UP THE SKY, Phoenix| This is a community event that will be celebrating the country’s birthday along the 100th birthday of the state of Arizona and Merle Lewis’ 100th birthday. They will all be honored with a fireworks show.  (July 1, 2011)

ROUTE 66 DAYS CHARITY CAR SHOW, Flagstaff |The Route 66 Car Club evolved from one of the first car clubs active in Northern AZ. This club had as its primary focus the Chevrolet Corvair marque and older classic cars. The 7th annual charity car show that features over 400 antique, classic and collector automobiles – with music, food, vendors, all to benefit local charities. (September 10-11, 2011).

SAHUARITA PECAN FESTIVAL, Sahuarita| The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a special event held in Sahuarita, Arizona to showcase local foods, products and crafts from the Santa Cruz River Valley. The event is hosted by Farmers Investment Co. (FICO), the world’s largest grower-processor of pecans. This unique, community-oriented celebration will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 from 10 am — 8 pm. Now entering its third year, the event is quickly becoming an annual Southern Arizona tradition. The Festival averaged nearly 15,000 attendees in 2009 and 2010. (November 12, 2011)

SANTA RITA HIGH SCHOOL CENTENNIAL FAIR, Tucson | Santa Rita High School is hosting a celebration to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the great state of Arizona. We are planning to have one of the biggest celebrations in the city of Tucson. The events will include, but are not limited to; performing acts, carnival games/jumping castles, car shows, historical food/artifacts, local vendors/sponsors, local media outlets, Ward 4 constituents, local keynote speakers, and much more! (February 11, 2012)

SCOTTSDALE’S 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY, City of Scottsdale| A two-day celebration of the 60th anniversary of Scottsdale’s incorporation in 1951, the event includes a “cowboy campfire” on Friday night, with cowboys telling tales of old-time Scottsdale, and a Mayor/Council Breakfast Birthday Party on Saturday with speakers reminiscing about early Scottsdale development, music, food, historic displays, and children’s activities (June 24-25, 2011)

SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW & SHOPPING EXPO, Scottsdale | The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show & Shopping Expo is the largest Arabian horse show in the world, and attracts over 2,400 horses, and thousands of people, from all over the globe. Started in 1955, this show provides residents and visitors with a chance to enjoy the pageantry, athleticism and beauty represented by these magnificent horses. It also celebrates Western horse heritage and the Arabian Horse Ranchers who populated Scottsdale at the time of its founding. (February 17 – 27, 2011)

SOUTHWEST AMBULANCE ARIZONA CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM, Mesa| A two-day celebration of America’s freedom and independence culminating with a spectacular show and  salute to America as well as celebrating Arizona’s 100th birthday. There will be special readings and stories about the founding of the great state of Arizona.   (July 1-2, 2011).

STAGECOACH DAYS 2011, Maricopa | Annual celebration to commemorate and celebrate the founding of our community and to recognize our rich heritage. Families enjoy fun carnival rides, vendor village, arts and crafts, food court, kids corral, stagecoach rides, reinactments, beer garden, entertainment and more. Stagecoach Days is not only a one day event — enjoy other activities around town including barn dance, golf tournament, fun run, and Little Miss Maricopa pageants. (October 21 – 23, 2011)

TUCSON GEM & MINERAL SHOW, Tucson| The acclaimed “Tucson Gem and Mineral Show” is held every year on the second full weekend of February. It has set the standard for gem and mineral shows around the world, and is now the largest gem and mineral show in the United States. It is the cornerstone event of the Tucson Gem, Mineral & Fossil Showcase, bringing 55,000 visitors to Tucson annually. The Show is open to the public and presents educational exhibits and retail dealers only. Proceeds from the Show remain in the Tucson economy and are used to support mineral knowledge and appreciation. (February 9 – 12, 2012)

VAIL PRIDE DAY 2012, Pima County Fairgrounds| Vail Pride Day is an annual event showcasing the Vail School District and Vail area community. It is highlighted by student and community organization fine arts performances, academic competitions and displays, hands-on activities and community displays. This event has the 2nd highest annual attendance at the Pima County Fairgrounds after the Pima County Fair. (February 18, 2012).

VERDE VALLEY BIRDING AND NATURE FESTIVAL, Cottonwood| The natural world is a pivotal component of tourism in Arizona. Watchable Wildlife brings visitors from all over to enjoy Arizona’s resources. Bird watching is the number two recreational hobby in America today. The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival hosts field trips to IBA’s (Important Birding Areas) in the Verde Valley attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country and internationally to this annual event. This is a well-rounded event that has become one of the leading festivals of its kind in the US today. The festival has been awarded the Governor’s Tourism Treasure Award. The Verde Valley Birding and Nature Festival has celebrated eleven years in Central Arizona. During this four-day event participants enjoy field trips, workshops, speakers, vendors, exhibitors and special programs. This event is the result of a partnership between Arizona State Parks, the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce and Northern Arizona Audubon. Run completely by volunteers, many other agencies and organizations have joined to produce this event including the City of Cottonwood, National Park Service, US Forest Service, Arizona Game and Fish, local businesses and organizations, and public agencies. (April 26-29, 2012).

VERTIELEE FLOYD MEMORIAL PAYSON OLD TIMES FIDDLERS CONTESTPayson | The Old Time fiddling State Championship (National Qualifier) & Accoustic Music celebration. Incorporates over 2 days of family fun including Old Time, Accoustic, Music Concerts, Old Time fiddling contest for all ages, camping, Jamming, crafts and vending operations (September 23-25, 2011)

WINGS OVER WILLCOX, Willcox| Wings Over Willcox is southeastern Arizona’s premier birding and nature festival that is held annually. Willcox is home to the cowboy movie star Rex Allen and the gateway to the Chiricahua National Monument. (January 11-15, 2012).

YCGA 79TH ANNUAL CALF SALE & BBQ, Peeples Valley |  The Yavapai Cattle Grower’s Association will hold their Annual Calf Sale & BBQ for the 79th year. The event began in 1933 as a way to raise money for the national organization-today known as The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association-which was, at the time, in danger of financial collapse. The roster of activities is enormous this year! Activities begin with the Maughan Ranches Quarterhorse sale at 8:00 a.m. A 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging Clinic will begin with sign-ups at 8:00 a.m. Western art, crafts, and jewelry as well as industry information booths will open at 10:00 a.m. Arizona Game & Fish in cooperation with Adobe Mountain Wildlife Rehab Center is providing a sport shooting trailer and an Arizona Wildlife Display. Adobe Mountain Wildlife will also be holding a live release of three American Kestrel Falcons. In addition there will be gold panning, mutton busting (for kids 60 pounds and under, weigh-in begins at 10:00 a.m.), a horseshoeing demonstration, KVRD radio live remote with ?Mark in the Morning?, a quilt drawing and of course the best BBQ BEEF in the state! Take a scenic drive to beautiful Peeples Valley, bring a chair or blanket, spend the day at a historic ranch, meet a real cowboy, enjoy the best BBQ BEEF around, and get to know your local, county, and state politicians and candidates. We’ll see you at the Calf Sale! From Phoenix take US 60 to Wickenburg, then take Highway 89 30 miles to Maughan Ranch West Fork (formerly the Hays Ranch). From Prescott take Highway 89 30 miles to Peeples Valley and Maughan Ranch West Fork, look for the white fencing and banners-you can’t miss it! Admission is free; the BBQ is $10 and $5 for children 12 and under. (September 24, 2011).

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