UNIQUE EVENTS
ONLY IN ARIZONA

January

Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event – Scottsdale
January 17-24, 2010, 480.421.6694,
barrett-jackson.com
“The Greatest Car Show on Earth” – Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction is the place to see and be seen when it rolls into Scottsdale, Ariz. every January. The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company is well known for being the premiere classic car auction company in the United States, featuring some of the most exclusive vehicles available at auction.

P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon and 1/2 Marathon – Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe
January 17, 2010, rnraz.com
Experience a winter running oasis at the seventh annual P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon. Perfect running weather and flat courses run through three spectacular cities and make for a world-class running event, while 70 live bands and a free Headliner Concert make for an all-out rockin’ party.

Gem & Mineral Shows (and Shopping) – Quartzsite
January-February, 2010, 928.927.9321,
quartzsitebusinesschamber.com
Just two hours west of Phoenix, Quartzsite comes alive in January and February when most of the million-plus annual visitors converge on the town to hunt for rocks and minerals and ‘shop’ the rows of eclectic items sold out of tents (largest swap meet in the world). In addition to agates, quartz, limonite cubes and even gold, you can shop for antiques, leather goods, baskets and ethnic jewelry. After you’ve scored shopping, take a break at the local tavern known as The Quartzsite Yacht Club – it’s one of two small bars in town.

February

24th Annual Flagstaff Winterfest – Flagstaff
February, 2010, 928.7741.4505, flagstaffchamber.com
This month-long festival of events celebrates the joy of the winter season. Locations and times vary.

Arizona Fine Art Expo – Scottsdale
January 14-March 28, 2010, 10am-6pm,
$8 Adults, 480.837.7163, arizonafineartexpo.com
A 10-week event in north Scottsdale. Watch more than 100 designers, painters, sketchers and sculptors at work in their studios and in the outdoor working cabanas. Café de Expo offers scrumptious breakfast, snacks and lunch in the afternoon.

Arizona Renaissance Festival – Apache Junction
February 6-March 28, 2010,
520.463.2600, royalfaires.com
(Saturdays & Sundays only)
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medieval amusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acre circus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tournament and a feast – all rolled into one non-stop, day-long family adventure.

Gold Rush Days – Wickenburg
February 12-14, 2010, 800.942.5242,
wickenburgchamber.com
For three action-filled days, thousands of visitors and participants enjoy the multitude of activities ranging from a shoot-out on Frontier Street, a parade, rodeo, carnival, food booths, and arts and crafts.

March

Heard Museum Indian Fair and Market – Phoenix
March 6-7, 2010, 602.251.0209 x6414, heard.org
The fair features more than 650 of the finest American Indian artists including jewelers, potters, carvers, painters and weavers. Music and dance performances; Indian, Mexican, and American foods; and free Museum entrance are all included with fair admission price.

Ostrich Festival – Chandler
March 12-14, 2010, 480.963.4571, ostrichfestival.com
One of the “Top 10 Unique Festivals in the U.S.” – the Ostrich Races are the most popular attractions at the event, but two stages of continuous live entertainment run all day long with nationally known headliners each night. State fair-size rides and more than 150 exhibitors selling arts and crafts, as well as children’s activities, round out a whole day of fun.

Tucson Artists Open Studio Tour – Tucson
March 13-14, 2010, 11am-5pm, tucsonopenstudios.com
Artists will open their studios to the public so you can see the creative process at work. Artists will talk about their work, present demonstrations and offer work for sale.
April

Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball – Phoenix
April-September, 2010, 602.462.4600,
diamondbacks.com
Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie – all still representative of American values – and thankfully, all still affordable. Prices for single game tickets in the upper deck range from $5 to $20.

Katsina Doll Marketplace – Phoenix
April 10, 2010, 602.252.8848, heard.org
More than 100 Hopi Katsina doll carvers will gather to show and sell their unique carvings in both traditional and contemporary styles. Musical performances, book signings and more.

NASCAR at Phoenix International Raceway – Avondale
April 8-10, 2010, 866.408.RACE (7223),
phoenixinternationalraceway.com
Race fans gather for three days of racing, sunshine and parties. Races include: Jimmie Johnson Foundation 150, Bashas’ Supermarkets 200, and SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™.

May

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations – Statewide
1st week in May, 2010
Neighborhood and community Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Arizona are free or very reasonably priced. You’ll find lots of Latino music, dance, Mexican food and games.

Farmers Markets – Statewide
Various dates and locations, arizonafarmersmarkets.com
Farm fresh seasonal produce and locally-produced food products available as well as arts and crafts.

June

Dia de San Juan – Tucson
June, 2010, 520.791.4040
This festival honoring the start of the summer rainy season includes food, games, music, folk dances, and cultural performing groups. Downtown Tucson.

Strawberry Festival – Pine/Strawberry
June 12-13, 2010, strawberryfestivalaz.com
In the pines of Northern Arizona, it’s a western town staging gunfighters and Country Western bands. For more than a decade, this play world for adults and kids has 200 booths, 60 flea market vendors and great food.

Flagstaff Music Festival – Flagstaff
June 19-20, 2010, flagstaffmusicfestival.com
The 8th annual event will be held at Heritage Square in historic downtown Flagstaff and feature two days of local Flagstaff music, food, vendors and artists.

July

Sidewalk Egg-Frying Challenge – Oatman
July 4, 2010, 928.768.6222, oatmangoldroad.org
Contestants use their own devices and creativity to fry the most edible egg at high noon in one of the hottest places on earth. There are several medals to be won in various categories including showmanship, youngest fryer and fryer who traveled the farthest.

4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks – Statewide
Throughout Arizona, communities come together to celebrate with food, kids activities, water fun, local bands and entertainment.

World’s Oldest Rodeo and Frontier Days – Prescott
June 28 – July 4, 2010, 866.407.6336,
worldsoldestrodeo.com
Since 1888 folks have come from miles around to see what the ruckus in Prescott, Ariz. was all about. Every year that ruckus gets bigger, the contestants more daring and bold. When the bulls, the horses, the clowns come to town... well, let’s just say you’ll want to see what’s kicking up all that dust.

August

Southwest Wings Birding and Nature Festival – Sierra Vista
First weekend in August, 2010, 520.678.8237
Lectures and field trips throughout the area. These places have been known historically for their great biodiversity of birds, butterflies, odonates and other insects, mammals, reptiles and close to 1,000 species of plants.

Starlight Train, Verde Canyon Railroad – Clarkdale
Saturday Nights, 928.639.0010,
verdecanyonrr.com
Every Saturday, the canyon comes alive with nocturnal beauty and wildlife aboard the only railroad that travels through the Verde Canyon.
September

Navajo Nation Fair – Window Rock
September 5-12, 2010, 928.871.6647,
navajonationfair.com
Every year in early September, Window Rock, the capital of the Navajo Nation, celebrates Navajo values, beliefs and pastimes with the nine-day “World’s Largest American Indian Fair.” Attracting over 100,000 people from all over the world – singing, dancing, livestock, arts and crafts, an all-Indian rodeo, and arguably the largest inter-tribal PowWow in North America take place.

Arizona Restaurant Week – Statewide
September 18-26, 2010, 602.307.9134, arizonarestaurantweek.com
This exciting event produced by the Arizona Restaurant Association showcases the culinary scene throughout the state. Restaurants feature a three-course signature dish menu for $29 per person/$58 per couple.

Route 66 Days – Flagstaff
flagstaffroute66days.com
Route 66 Days is a weekend full of fun-filled events designed to bring back the nostalgia of Route 66 and the exciting heritage of the Mother Road.

October

Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition – Phoenix
October-November, Phoenix Art Museum,
602.257.1880, caashow.org
This is the only time of year when the entire Cowboy Artists of America membership exhibits together. This ticketed event attracts hundreds of collectors from around the world and includes everything from lunch with the artists to gallery tours.

Bisbee 1000 – Bisbee
Third weekend in October, bisbee1000.org
The Bisbee 1000 event allows you to use any combination of walking, running and resting to traverse nine sets of steps and numerous back-roads at a mile-high altitude. While conquering over 1,000 steps you will be serenaded by musicians playing at strategic points along the route. Participants can compete aggressively for overall and age group prizes; enjoy a challenging fitness walk or family stroll, or any combination thereof.

Annual Schnepf Farms Pumpkin & Chili Party – Queen Creek
October, 2010, $14, 480.987.3100, schnepffarms.com
Admission includes: hay rides, miniature golf, maizes, country road rally, honeybee adventure, carousel rides, petting barn, pig races, 3-D scary weather haunted attraction, golden goat bridge, live entertainment on two stages, bonfires and marshmallow roasting and farmhouse museum. There’s also a sweet shop, country store, gift shops, and a spectacular fireworks show every night.
November

Polar Express, Grand Canyon Railway – Williams
November-mid-January, 2010, 6:30 & 8pm, $14-26,
800.843.8724, thetrain.com
During a one-hour evening train journey, guests enjoy treats and a reading of the classic Christmas story on the way to the North Pole. Santa boards the train at the North Pole and presents young passengers with bells representing the spirit of Christmas and everyone sings carols on the return trip.

Leaf Changing – Statewide
Fall Color Hotline 800.354.4595,
fs.fed.us/news/fallcolors
The Forest Service’s website offers the estimated percentage of current fall foliage, areas with greatest amount of color, recommended viewing routes and the estimated peak viewing period.

Festival of the Arts – Fountain Hills
November & February, 10am-5pm, 480.837.1654,
fountainhillschamber.com
More than 500 artists and 200,000 attendees enjoy the three-day festivals which include bands, food and arts and crafts for sale.

December

Noches de las Luminarias, Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix
December 9-30, 2010, 480.941.1225, dbg.org
This evening celebration of Southwest luminaries is a great place to get a flavor of the Southwest.

Arizona Cardinals Football – Glendale
Various dates August-December, azcardinals.com
The Arizona Cardinals play professional football in the Valley of the Sun.

13th Annual Arizona Celebration of Lights – Glendale
December – January, West Valley, $15 per vehicle, arizonacelebrationoflights.com
This event includes more than 7,000,000 lights and 300 animated and still displays, set along a nearly one-mile route at 75th Avenue and Loop 101 in Glendale. Set to music, the show includes five light tunnels (one of which is the world’s largest), in an event that families can experience and enjoy from the comfort and convenience of their own cars.