Native American Culture Comes to Life through Song and Dance

Experience traditional and contemporary Native American song and dance as local performers bring this ancient culture to life on stage during the ninth season of Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nations the and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau invites visitors and locals to these noontime festivals January 20 through April 2, 2011 where members of various Native American nations join together for rare, collaborative performances incorporating traditional instruments, colorful dances, and customary attire, showcasing their culture and encouraging respect, cooperation, and appreciation.

From noon to 1:30 p.m. most Thursdays and Saturdays, the outdoor amphitheater at Scottsdale Civic Center Mall in downtown will be immersed with the unique culture that continues to shape the state of Arizona today.

“Native Trails is an incredible opportunity to provide insight into our rich and ancient traditions,” said Derrick Suwaima Davis (Hopi/Choctaw), artistic director for Native Trails and five-time world-champion hoop dancer. “Arizona is home to more than 20 tribal nations, and Native Trails is an outlet for them to come together and collaborate to create new dances and songs. It’s an educational exploration for us and for the audience.”

The festival grounds also play host to Native artisans who showcase their fine artwork and skills in the form of jewelry, textiles, pottery and food.

Native Trails performances began in January 2003 as part of the City of Scottsdale’s cultural tourism initiative, Culture Quest Scottsdale.

For more information about top events in Arizona take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arizona.

For more information on Native Trails (including black-out dates), visit www.ScottsdaleNativeTrails.com or contact the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at (480) 421-1004 or toll-free at (800) 782-1117.

Wickenburg Fiesta Celebrates Hispanic Heritage

On Saturday, September 4, Wickenburg, where Arizona’s Wild West lives, recognizes the town’s early Hispanic pioneers and kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in Arizona with its 22nd Annual Fiesta de Septiembre.

This is when the town enjoys folklorico dancers, mariachi groups and latin bands, arts & crafts booths, an Hispanic family photo exhibit, food booths, the Viva Margarita! Contest where contestants concoct their favorite recipes, a salsa and guacamole contest, a kids’ zone and much more. Sponsored by the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, the Fiesta is held at the Wickenburg Community Center, 160 North Valentine Street in the historic downtown.
There are some fascinating events scheduled over the next few months in Wickenburg

The 16th Annual Wickenburg Fly-In & Classic Car Show on October 9 at the scenic Wickenburg Airport features airplanes from all over the southwest, booths and over 75 classic cars displayed.

For over 30 years the 3-day Annual Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival has been held the second full weekend in November (this year November 12 to 14 at the Wickenburg Rodeo Grounds & Constellation Park) featuring the championships in fiddle, flat pick guitar, banjo and mandolin. Three nationally known bluegrass bands perform throughout the weekend. There are food and arts/crafts booths, a kids zone, and reserved RV camping.

Two Christmas events are the 22nd Annual Cowboy Christmas Poetry Gathering (Dec. 3 and 4) and the 15th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights on December 10.

One of the biggest events in Wickenburg is the 63rd Annual Gold Rush Days & Rodeo from February 10 to 13, a celebration of Wickenburg's ranching and mining heritage.

For more information about top events in Arizona take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arizona.

For more information on events in Wickenburg visit www.wickenburgchamber.com

OLD WEST MEETS THE NEW WEST IN SCOTTSDALE

Celebrating more than 50 years in Scottsdale, the Parada del Sol is the world's longest horse-drawn parade and takes place every February in downtown (this year on Saturday, February 20).

Following the procession is the infamous Trails End Celebration with winner announcements, Western entertainment, music and a pancake breakfast. The parade kicks off the Parada del Sol Rodeo, a full week of boot stompin' fun at WestWorld of Scottsdale that includes rodeos, dances, live country Western music, children's activities and more.

Other Scottsdale Western events include the Show Circuit All Breed Horse Show, Annual Cowboy Artists of America Exhibition and Sale and the annual Western ArtWalk in downtown Scottsdale. The National Festival of the West is a four-day Old West celebration in March that includes a Western tradeshow, a music jamboree on four stages, an Extreme Cowboy Race, Chuck Wagon cook-offs and a writing competition.

Visitors of all ages can delight in authentic stagecoach rides through downtown Scottsdale on Thursday evenings and Friday and Saturday afternoons. Pulled by North American spotted draft horses, the carriage takes guests on a free Western-related ride through the Old Town area of Scottsdale, highlighting significant stops and public art along the way. From mid-October through April, guests also can enjoy horse-drawn rides through downtown Scottsdale's art district from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays during the weekly Scottsdale ArtWalk event.

For more information about top events in Arizona, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arizona at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-arizona.html

Or, take a look at the official web site for Scottsdale at www.scottsdalecvb.com/

5 TIPS FOR TRAVELING IN ARIZONA

For those of you planning to enjoy some of the top events in Arizona in the coming year, Explore Arizona Tours has come up with a handy list of 5 tips for successful travel in the state of Arizona. The suggest:

1. Know safety guidelines for driving in dust storms: Dust storms can drastically decrease visibility in a very short time. If you see a dust storm on the road, avoid it if possible. If you must enter into a dust storm drive with your headlights on at a decreased speed. If you have to pull off the road in a dust storm pull as far to the right as possible, turn your vehicle/lights off, put your parking brake on and avoid putting your foot on the brake pedal to avoid having other drivers think you are a car on the road and attempt to “follow” you.
2. Heavy rain is frequent during monsoon season. Slow down while driving in the rain. If your vision is impeded pull to the side of the road (as in a dust storm, pull far to the right, turn off car and headlights, pull your parking brake and don’t put your foot on the brakes).
3. Take notice of road signs. In particular Arizona visitors should not ignore “Do not cross when flooded” road signs. Take them seriously.
4. Arizona visitors should also beware of driving through water covered roadways. There are many each year who think they can make it and end up on the local news. (And they’re often the locals…these things are very hard to judge). The best bet is to just find another way around or plan your excursion for another day.
5. Be aware of 511: This is a Traveler Information service offered by the Arizona Department of Transportation. It will provide vital information about road closures, construction, delays, airports, tourism, weather and more. If you have a question while traveling…try 511. If they don’t know, they’ll just say so! (The website for 511 is www.az511.com).

Tyson Bailey of Explore Arizona Tours comments, “Arizona is one of the friendliest states in the nation. We have appropriate travel weather year round, which is good for our business of selling Arizona tours. There are only a few difficulties that could occur so that makes them easy to avoid. The majority of our customers find that they are comfortable making their way around in Arizona; especially if they’ve prepped themselves with a little bit of appropriate information first. Whether they are going on a tour to the Grand Canyon or driving to Sedona themselves, we want people to feel safe while they are in our state”

For information on the top events in Arizona, visit http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-arizona.html and to find out more about Explore Arizona Tours take a look at www.explorearizonatours.com