Scottsdale’s Special Event Season Underway

City of Scottsdale

NEWS RELEASE

 

Jan. 4, 2017

 Contact: Mike Phillips, public affairs manager, 480-312-7825

  

Music, art and a distinctive dinner celebration help launch Scottsdale’s special events season.

 Author and two-time aviation Hall of Fame inductee William “Bill” Norwood will be the keynote speaker at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Details are below.

 Two popular outdoor festivals also return next week. Native Trails debuts from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, on Scottsdale’s Civic Center Mall. It’s a free celebration that focuses on Native American culture, song and dance.

 From noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts hosts the first 2017 edition of Sunday A’Fair. This free minifestival features outdoor concerts by top Valley musicians, an arts-and-crafts market and fun activities for families.

 Next week’s events are a great launching pad for Scottsdale’s special events season – a unique time of year that features world-class art, auto and horse shows, a championship rodeo and the largest crowds in golf at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

 There are a number of ways residents and visitors can learn about activities and get traffic information.

 ·       The city of Scottsdale’s website at ScottsdaleAZ.gov features news and traffic information, plus a full calendar of activities under the “Things to Do” section.

·       You can subscribe to the city’s weekly Scottsdale Update newsletter at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “Scottsdale Update.”

 Scottsdale’s free trolley service is a convenient way to travel to events and activities. Several trolley routes work together to connect special event locations and Downtown shopping and entertainment districts.

 The trolleys run daily on a regular schedule and connect to the regional Valley Metro transportation system. More information on routes and schedules can be found at ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “trolley” or by calling 480-312-3111.

 Here’s a schedule and contact information for upcoming special events in Scottsdale:

 

 Aviation Hall-of-Famer headlines MLK Jr. Dinner Celebration, Jan. 11

Author and two-time aviation Hall of Fame inductee William “Bill” Norwood will be the keynote speaker at the Scottsdale 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner Celebration. The annual event is Wednesday, Jan. 11. Registration and a reception begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and recognition at 6 p.m. This year’s event will be held at Henkel Corporation, 7201 E. Henkel Way. More information: ccdarizona.org

 

 Experience music & culture of original residents at Native Trails, beginning Jan. 12

Native Trails is a free outdoor festival celebrating the Native American cultures of the Southwest through song and dance. This free series takes place from noon to 1 p.m. most Thursdays and Saturdays Jan. 12 through March 30, on the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. Get details at ExperienceScottsdale.com, search “Native Trails.”

  

Sunday A’Fair minifestivals begin Jan. 15 on the Civic Center Mall

Sunday A’Fair features free outdoor concerts by the Valley’s top musicians, an arts-and-crafts market and fun activities for children and families. The free afternoon concerts take place from noon to 4 p.m. most Sundays Jan. 15 through April 2, on the Civic Center Mall. More information: ScottsdalePerformingArts.org

 

 

Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon Series runs Jan. 14-15

The Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon Series makes running fun with options for all fitness levels. Known for live music and excitement, the Rock ‘N’ Marathon is a relatively flat course that runs through three of the Southwest’s most scenic cities – Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Get details: runrocknroll.com/Arizona.

  

Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction rolls in Jan. 14-22

Hundreds of the world’s finest collector automobiles and thousands of spectators will assemble for this year’s Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction. The auction runs Jan. 14-22 at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road. Visit barrett-jackson.com or call 480-421-6694 for more information.

 

Drawn to art? Check out Celebration of Fine Art starting Jan. 14

Watch art as it’s being created as more than 100 artists set up working studios at Celebration of Fine Art, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting Jan. 14 through March 26. Housed in the big white tents southwest of Hayden Road and the Loop 101, Celebration presents a variety of art in all styles. Call 480-443-7695 or visit CelebrateArt.com.

 

 Gooding and Company Scottsdale Auction revs up Jan. 18-21

Many styles of classic cars from many eras will be showcased at the Gooding and Company Scottsdale Auction at Scottsdale Fashion Square, 4700 N. Scottsdale Road. View the cars Wednesday-Saturday, Jan. 18-21; viewing and bidding take place Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21. More information, including specific times, dates and ticket prices: GoodingCo.com.

 

Take steps to promote acceptance at Regional Unity Walk, Jan. 28

Scottsdale is joining other Valley cities for the annual Unity Walk to promote mutual respect and understanding. The one-mile walk over the Mill Avenue Bridge begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, and ends at Tempe’s Art Park on Tempe Town Lake. There will be entertainment, food and inflatables. More information: Tempe.gov and search “unity walk.”

 

 

Waste Management Phoenix Open tees off Jan. 30

The Waste Management Phoenix Open takes place Jan. 30-Feb. 5, at the Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, 17020 N. Hayden Road. Find out why this tournament boasts the largest galleries in golf and has earned the nickname “The Greatest Show on Grass.” More information: WMPhoenixOpen.com.

  

Hashknife Pony Express gallops into Downtown Scottsdale Feb. 10

Celebrate the Old West at high noon Friday, Feb. 10, when the Hashknife Pony Express thunders into town. The public can mingle with riders and enjoy family-friendly activities – including a hands-on “Cowboy Bootcamp” for kids – until 3 p.m. at the Scottsdale Museum of the West. More information: ScottsdaleMuseumWest.org, view “upcoming events”

 

The Parada del Sol and Trails End Festival, Feb. 11

Celebrate one of Scottsdale’s oldest traditions – the Parada del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on Scottsdale Road south of Camelback. The party continues at noon with Old Town hosting live music, activity booths and other entertainment. Information: ScottsdaleParade.com.

 

 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, Feb. 16-26

The annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show runs Feb. 16-26, at WestWorld, 16601 N. Pima Road. Since 1955, the annual horse show has set the pace in the Arabian horse world, bringing top owners, trainers and breeders from around the globe. More information: ScottsdaleShow.com.

 

 The Boys of Summer are back this spring for the Cactus League

Catch the San Francisco Giants in Cactus League action at award-winning Scottsdale Stadium. First game is Friday, Feb. 24, against the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets are available at the stadium box office, by calling 1-877-473-4849 or at sfgiants.com. ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “spring training”

 

Catch a family-friendly “triple play” March 4

Celebrate the first Saturday in March with a trio of family-friendly events in Downtown Scottsdale. The Scottsdale Giant Race begins at 7 a.m. at Scottsdale Stadium.

That’s followed by the Scottsdale Public Library’s Ultimate Play Date from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the east side of the Civic Center Mall. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Scottsdale’s award-winning Spring Training Festival takes place on the west side of the mall, celebrating the start of the Cactus League and another season of America’s Pastime. More information: ScottsdaleAZ.gov, search “spring training festival”

 

Scottsdale Arts Festival, March 10-12

Explore the works of nearly 200 nationally-acclaimed exhibiting artists at the annual Scottsdale Arts Festival March 10-12 on Scottsdale Civic Center Mall. Enjoy toe-tapping bands and entertainers, mouth-watering gourmet food trucks and lots more. More information: ScottsdaleArtsFestival.org.

 

 

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Author: Les Conklin

Les Conklin is a resident of north Scottsdale He founded Friends of the Scenic Drive, the Monte de Paz HOA and is the president of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association. He was named to Scottsdale's History Maker Hall of Fame in 2014. Les is a past editor of A Peek at the Peak and the author of Images of America: Pinnacle Peak. He served on the Scottsdale's Pride Commission, McDowell Sonoran Preserve Commission, the boards of several local nonprofits and was a founding organizer of the city's Adopt-A-Road Program.. Les is a volunteer guide at the Musical Instrument Museum.

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