Guests have the unique opportunity to ride in an authentic stagecoach.
Fun and fare for all on the adventure trail.
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On Saturday, March 5th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Headquarters Cookout Site at MacDonald’s Ranch, at 26540 N. Scottsdale Road in north Scottsdale is the place to be. It will be alive with family fun, wildlife, music, pets, wildlife, drumming circle, western games, and a tribute to Scottsdale’s Old West Watering Holes, Pinnacle Peak Patio, Greasewood Flat, and Reata Pass Steakhouse.
It’s fun for folks of all ages. Organized by the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association-Friends of the Scenic Drive and hosted by MacDonald’s Ranch , the 2016 Scottsdale Western Cookout Adventure benefits the local environment and quality of life.
Win stay at Four Seasons Resort, Including Dinner for Two at The Proof Restaurant
Afternoon Packed with Adventure
Upon check-in, you will receive a Passport to Adventure and the freedom to roam the cookout site, set in the middle of a western “town.” Find and visit more than 15 fun-packed and educational Adventure Stations along the Adventure Trail. Activities and exhibits are scattered about the ranch’s headquarters site. Next to the trading post, you can see and learn about owls, and Sonoran wildlife , learn about, desert preservation, and wildlife rehabilitation, see exhibits about local history, libraries, and pet rescue. At the Bull Pen you’ll find stations for a desert train ride, panning for gold (everybody “strikes it rich”), and a walk-in petting zoo filled with friendly ranch animals.
Fun Activities
A drum circle is fun for young and old alike. Don’t miss the fun along the Adventure Trail.
- Necktie Cutting Photo Opportunity/Drawing
- Drum Circle with AZ Rhythm Connection
- Panning for Gold
- Petting Zoo
- Stage Coach Ride & Drawing (Optional)
- Silent Auction Bargains
- Train Ride
- Western Games
- Steer Horn Roping with Cowboy
Educational Exhibits
Take a Selfie. Waitress cuts off customer’s tie at Pinnacle Peak Patio. Have a tie cut off at the cookout, get a photo, and you might win a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale too!
- Coalition of Greater Scottsdale
- Desert Discovery Center
- Earl Grey, Trick Pony
- Desert Foothills Land Trust
- Friends of Pinnacle Peak Park
- GPPA-Friends of the Scenic Drive
- Lulu Belle Animal Rescue
- McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
- North Scottsdale History
- Phoenix Herpetological Society (Reptiles)
- Pinnacle Peak History
- Wild At Heart
One of the Adventure Stations is a petting zoo with ducks, chickens, miniature mules, even peacocks.
At each station have your “passport” stamped. Then turn it in and receive a Rewards Sack worth its weight in gold bullion (slight exaggeration). In the bag, you’ll find gifts, and special offers from local businesses and organizations and a complimentary ticket for the Rewards Drawing – a chance to win a valuable prize. Yahoo!
Drum Circle Fun With AZ Rhythm Connection
At the Drum Circle Adventure Station, join up to 40 others from the community to drum in a beginner-friendly “circle” led by a welcoming facilitator from AZ Rhythm Connection. There is no head or tail in a drum circle; everybody is equal. It’s a group experience of learning and sharing rhythms that is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels. AZ Rhythm Connection holds weekly drum circle throughout the Valley of the Sun and is a featured part of student tours at the Musical Instrument Museum.
Prize! 2 Night Stay at Fairmont Princess Scottsdale
Big Marv’s Necktie Cutting Photo & Four Seasons Resort Opportunities
We cannot bring back Pinnacle Peak Patio, Greasewood Flat, and other Pinnacle Peak’s Old West watering holes but we can enjoy recollecting them. A tradition at Pinnacle Peak Patio was to cut off the necktie of any dressed up patron. Celebrate the tradition and get a photograph of Pinnacle Peak Patio’s colorful Big Marv “removing” a tie from your neck (we provide the tie). Invest in a ticket for the Cut Necktie Drawing and you could continue your celebration with a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, including dinner for two at The Proof Restaurant. Bring your camera or phone to capture the moment of separation. We’ll have a selfie stick available for self portraits.
Geoff Conklin kept visitors coming back to Greasewood Flat and Pinnacle Peak Patio for year:s.
“Big Marv” will also be showcasing some historical items that he collected over five decades as a resident of the Pinnacle Peak area. Les Conklin, author of “Pinnacle Peak – Images of America” will be signing copies of his book and also exhibiting issues of A Peek at the Peak magazine from the 1980s and 1990s.
Western Games, Stagecoach Ride
Lasso some fun playing western games. For example, there are dummy steers to rope (a cowboy will show you how), horse shoe pits, and bean bag games. Close-by there is an optional, thrilling ride in an authentic stagecoach pulled by a beautiful draft horse team or mules; it’s true Old West travel in the Sonoran Desert. ALL ABOARD! Register and reserve your stagecoach ticket now, the number of rides is limited.
Wildlife rehabilitator, Wild At Heart, will release a great horned owl as the sun sets.
GIGANTIC Silent Auction, MANY Bargains from $25 to $500
At the Bucking Shute, can bid on gift cards and gift certificates for goods and services donated by supporters. You’re sure to find bargains including gift certificates from restaurants, boutiques, retail stores, golf courses, and more. For examples, one auction item is admission for 4 to the Musical Instrument Museum, including a 2 hour guided tour by a MIM guide. Another item is a special dinner at Carvalho’s Brazilian Kitchen. Supporting Businesses & Organizations Review List
Tribute to Greasewood Flat, Pinnacle Peak Patio, Reata Pass by Geoff Conklin
In the late afternoon, bonfires will be lit by ranch-hands.
After all the fun and games, you’ll be ready to relax, eat, and enjoy a musical tribute to Scottsdale’s Old West Watering Holes. The tribute will be led by Scottsdale’s own Geoff Conklin. Many thousands of locals and visitors enjoyed Geoff’s original music and renditions of hits by Garth Brooks, George Straight, Jimmy Buffet, and James Taylor, at our popular spots of yesteryear. Geoff has released two CDs, “Streets of Jerome” and “All in the Touch,” which was recorded in Nashville. “Someday,” which Conklin wrote and sings, was recorded in Nashville.
Play Song (mp4)Sunset Flight to Freedom
Then just before sunset, Wild At Heart will release a rescued great horned owl back to the wild. You’ll cheer as the rehabilitated raptor makes its exhilarating flight to freedom. It’s a sight that you’ll never forget.
Bonfires, Good Eats, Opportunity to WIN!
Good eats and soft drinks are included with admission. Beer and wine are available.
About sunset, the bonfires will be lit S’mores will be available for kids to roast.
When you’re ready to eat, join guests from afar, friends, neighbors, community leaders for a pulled pork sandwich, hamburger, cheeseburger, large hotdog, or a fried chicken sandwich. Kid’s menu includes hamburger/cheeseburger, hot dog, or fried chicken tenders. All meals include a side dish (coleslaw, variety of chips) and a beverage (juice box, bottled water, can of soda) – all included with admission.
Did you have a tie cut off? Did your investment in a raffle tickets or silent auction bid pay off? Will you win the Watering Hold Drawing, Reward Drawing? A brief program following dinner, will deliver joy and the answers for the lucky drawing winners; why not you?
Admission includes train ride in the desert (the train is pulled by a ranch tractor).
Tickets & Information
Prices: Adult $38, Senior (62 and over)/Military; $36, children: $24 (12 to 2 years old, children 2 and younger free). Ticket prices include dinner, beverages with dinner, afternoon activities, Rewards Sack, and entertainment. The optional Stagecoach Ride (limited availability): Adult $8, Child $5. Free parking.
Desert Foothills at Sunset
For tickets and information: wwwgppaaz.org or www.scenicdrive.org (Peak Magazine), 480-361-6498 (Major Credit Cards, Check, PayPal), Mail: GPPA, 8711 E. Pinnacle Peak Road #123, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, Program and ticket prices are subject to change.
The event benefits GPPA environmental causes, including Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive, Wild At Heart, and other local conservation initiatives.
Thank you for your support!
Frequently Asked Questions Media Donate Raffle/Auction Item
Interested in Volunteering? Exhibitor Information
Promotional Materials Available
Related Websites, Videos, and Articles
Watch Event VideoMacDonald’s Ranch, www.macdonaldsranch.com Visit Website
Greater Pinnacle Peak Association – Friends of the Scenic Drive Information, https://apeekatthepeak.org/organization/ Visit Website
Scottsdale’s Scenic Drive Information, https://apeekatthepeak.org/scenic-drive/ Visit Website
City of Scottsdale, Scenic Drive Information -www.scottsdaleaz.gov/construction/scenic-drive Visit Website
City of Scottsdale Library, http://www.scottsdalelibrary.org/ Visit Website
City of Scottsdale Parks and Recreation, http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/parks Visit Website
City of Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Visit Website
Earl Grey, Trick Pony, Ginasheart.com, Visit Website
Lulu Belle Animal Rescue/Pet Knot Adoptions, Lulu Belle Visit Website The Pet Knot Visit Website
Wild At Heart Visit Website
Phoenix Herpetological Society Visit Website
The Desert Discovery Center Visit Website
Desert Foothills Land Trust, www.dflt.org Visit Website
Coalition of Greater Scottsdale, www.cogsaz.net Visit Website
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