With a hop, skip and a jump, Spring leaps into full bloom. Not only are flowers blooming and plants springing forward, it is the time of year when we all get that burst of energy to be among the bustle of Springtime. During the Month of April, traditions  Easter and Passover leads off  the celebrations this month along with many outdoor events and festivals in celebration of Spring and just being out doors which is perfect for this time of year since April is also the month for embracing Earth Day.  So,  go out and see the vibrant color that nature presents as flora and enjoy the vibration of new foliage that has sprang up around the valley at an earthly event or outdoor festival.

The following are events to calm those Springtime jitters for local Phoenicians and traveling visitors wanting to experience a taste of beautiful weather, the smells of the desert in bloom and experience the festivities the West has to offer during the month of April.

Events are in order by date:

The 36th Dolly Sanchez Memorial Easter Egg Hunt – Saturday, April 7,2012 / Peoria

Get ready to hop into one of the largest outdoor Easter events hosted by Peoria Sports Complex, presents their 36th year of Easter egg hunts, candy hunts, Carnival games and rides, and the main event of visiting with the Easter Bunny. The gates open at 8:00 am with the activities running until Noon. This event is located at the Peoria Sports Complex, located at 16101 N. 83rd Avenue, just south of Bell Road. Parking and admission is free with a donation of canned food to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. For more information on the Easter event contact Recreation Coordinator, Kelli Kincaid-Broady at 623-773-7137.

Verde Canyon Railroad/Bunny Express/ – Sunday, April 8, 2012/ Clarkdale

Grab your camera, the family and hop along this Easter train ride! Every Easter Sunday this train becomes the Easter Bunny Express for a one time train ride. The Easter Bunny shows his ears around 11:00 am carrying a basket of Easter treats while visiting with all the little ones. He hops and dances around the train. There will be face-painting on the patio and the kids get their picture with Mr. Easter Bunny. The train holds 400 people so, make your way to the train station as soon as you can. There’s two different costs for first class and coach seats. For more information, directions and costs call (928) 639-0010 or visit http://www.verdecanyonrr.com.

The Great Arizona Puppet Theater/Jack Rabbit and The Easterbasket/ – Saturday and Sunday, April 7 and 8, 2012/ Downtown Phoenix

This year the Theater tells the tale of an Arizona Jack rabbit who helps out the Easter Bunny presented through puppetry at one of Arizona’s last running puppet theaters, established in 1983. This is a story that is fun for the whole family as you watch on the the oldest form of story telling performed by some of the few puppetiers still in existence. For more information on show times, pricing and theater directions visit info@azpuppets.org. or call 602-262-2050.

          For more Easter events around the valley visit www.phoenix,about.com/events/easter.

Old Town Blues Fest – Saturday, April 7, 2012 / Cottonwood

At this event, it’s ok to get the blues…. Come and spend the day listening to old time and ragtime blues, played by all time Blues veteran, Lance Garrett, Joe Neri and Blues Dawg, Shri Blues Band and a few more masters of the Blues. You can also enjoy a variety of food and a glass of wine while enjoying the day as musical notes fill the air. This event runs from 2pm to 10pm and is located at Old Town Center For the Arts 633 N 5th St. The cost is $25 per person. For more information on the Blues event call (928) 634-0940 or visit http://www.oldtowncenter.org.

25th Anniversary Nature Festival Celebration – Saturday, April 7, 2012 / Wickenburg

This outdoor celebration is held at the Hassayampa River Preserve. The time of year is perfect for the entire family to enjoy some outdoor experiences of petting non-venomous reptiles, meet and learn about some of the Arizona wildlife and see through their eyes. You will also learn the importance of water conservation her in the desert and learn creative ideas for recycling and how to do so along with participating in hands-on activities. If you want to be adventurous, you can take a guided hike along the Hassayampa River. This event is FREE for everyone. This one day event begins at 8:00 am until 2:00 pm. For more information call (928) 684-2772 or visit http://www.nature.org/arizona/preserves.

 

Annual Maricopa County Fair  – Wednesday, April 11, 2012 – Sunday, April 15, 2012 / Phoenix

The agriventure corntinues at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. This year is a celebration of our 37th County Fair where the cows go moooo and where you can feel like a farmer too. during this annual occasion you will learn the values that come with farming and learn about agriculture. There will also be some youth exhibits, you can pursue a new hobby, witness motorized events, admire the horses in the horse show and see an art walk made of chalk art. The Fair Grounds are located at 1826 West McDowell Road. The cost is around $8 for general adult admission. For more information call 602-252-0717 or visit http://www.maricopacountyfair.org. for exact times and hours visit http://phoenix.showup.com/event/detail/441551799

2012 Country Thunder – Thursday, April 12, 2012 – Sunday, April 15, 2012 / Florence

Want to go country style? Then kick on your boots and dust that Stetson off and mosey your way down to this music event. This is a 4 day guitar picking event where you’ll hear some of the hottest country music that will make you want to swing your partner round and round. There will be over 20 different country acts and you can even cap over night or for the entire 4 days with a purchased weekend pass. The event is located at 20585 E Price (Station) Rd. parking varies from $10 to $30 and tickets can be purchased as general, daily admission tickets or as a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are free with adult ticket. For information call 866-802-6418 or visit http://www.arizona.countrythunder.com/

2012 Rose Tree Celebration – Friday, April 13, 2012 – Saturday, April 14, 2012 / Tombstone

This years celebration is the 124th year for you to witness the  blooming of the world’s largest rose tree right here in Arizona’s backyard. You will enjoy the colorful display of the rose parade as hundreds of perfumed roses prominade past your eyes. you can also relax to live traditional Mariachi music performers along with Folklorico dancers. This aromic event is FREE and begins 1pm. for more information call 1-888-457-3929 or visit http://www.tombstonechamber.com.

Annual Grand Desert Days Festival – Saturday, April 14, 2012 / Morristown

this will be the 5th annual festival where everyone can have a piece of enjoyment in. You can walk through the classic car display for the auto lover in you, enjoy the live entertainment for your listening pleasure or grab a big  bowl of chili at the Chili cookoff. If you want to step back in time, you can participate in a few old-fashioned games that is fun for all ages. For those who are bookworms, you can meet your favorite Arizona author after listening to their story reading and get involved in a book signing. This event if FREE and runs from 9am to 4pm. For more information call 623-341-5977 or visit http://www.gfwc-morristownaz.org.

7th Annual Phoenix WorldFEST – Saturday, April 14, 2012 / Downtown Phoenix

This years festival is produced by Phoenix Sister Cities and is held at Margaret T Hance Park just off of Central Avenue between Roosevelt Street and McDowell Road. You will experience ten different cultures and taste foods from around the world and sample beers from afar while enjoying cultural music and exciting dance performances. There will also be international arts and crafts (some hands-on) and educational exhibits so you can tell your friends what goes on across the world and what different people do in different cultures. This event is FREE and runs Friday from 4pm – 10pm, Saturday from noon – 10pm and Sunday noon – 5pm. For more information call 602-534-3751 or visit http://www.phoenixsistercities.org.

Glendale’s Jazz & Blues Festival – Saturday, April 14, 2012 – Sunday, April 15, 2012 / Glendale

Glendale presents their 29th annual Jazz and Blues Festival at Murphy Park. You will enjoy the surrounding music played live on two stages. One for the jazz  musicians and one for the Blues performers. You will have plenty of food to choose from and you can participate in some wine tasting for the taste buds delight. The kids will keep busy with the variety of children activities for an energy release.  This is a FREE event and runs Saturday from noon – 10pm and Sunday from noon- 6pm. for more information call 623-930-2299 or visit http://www.visitglendale.com.

Kingman Annual Rock & Gem show – Saturday, April 14, 2012 – Sunday, April 15, 2012 / Kingman

Ever thought of being an archeologist or jeweler, then you wont want your eyes to miss this display of rare rocks and sparkling gems. This event is sponsored by the Mohave County Gemstoners and is held at the Kingman Academy of Learning HS located at 3420 N. Burbank St. You will see a variety of displays and you can also participate in the raffle for prizes along with the door prizes. A silent auction will be held. this event is FREE and runs Saturday from 9am – 5pm and Sunday from 9am – 4pm. For more information call 928-846-0927 or visit http://www.gemstoners.org.

Scottsdale Culinary Festival – Tuesday, April 17, 2012 through Sunday, April 22, 2012 / Scottsdale

This culinary festival is forking out its 34th annual mouth watering celebration. If you like good food and wine, then this is the festival you’ll want to sink your teeth into. This event is hosted by the Scottsdale League of Arts that is dedicated to supporting and promoting the awareness of various art and art education programs throughout the Valley of the Sun. The League raises funds for the arts grant programs by hosting a number of social events throughout the year. During this six day festival you will taste artistically prepared foods that will wet anyone’s pallet, delight yourself with a variety of cocktails, and meet some wonderful people while having a great time in events such as the Shaken & Stirred night, Bubbles & Bliss, Eat, Drink and Be Pretty and Blues and Brew to name a few of the events you can experience. for more information visit http://scottsdalefest.org/2012-events/.

 

 

EARTH DAY FESTIVALS

Tucson Earth Day Festival – Saturday, April 21, 2012 /Tucson

Tucson presents their 18th Annual Earth Day Festival this 2012. The festival begins at 9 am and ends at 2 pm for a day of environmentally friendly themed events and exhibits. You will relax to live music and artistic performances not to mention there will be a variety of foods. You will learn from hands-on environment activities, no matter what age group your calling your self these days. Want to join in on the “all  Species Precession” parade? then get crafty and make a banner to represent your favorite species or get get in to the heat of things and participate in the solar competition. For more information and event times call 206-8814 or visit http://www.tucsonearthday.org.

Flagstaff Earth Day – Saturday, April 21, 2012 /Flagstaff

The Flagstaff community would like to invite you to their 2012 Earth Day event. this event will take place on the South Lawn of the City Hall of flagstaff located at 211 West Aspen Avenue. The fun will begin from 11:30 am till 4 pm. there will be live bands lots to munch on and plenty of information booths to teach public environmental awareness. You will enjoy a variety of exhibits as well. For more information visit http://www.flagstaff.gov/2012earthday or contact Flagstaff City Hall 928-774-5281

Butterfly Magic at the Gardens – Now through Monday, April 30, 2012 / Tucson

For the month of April, the Tucson Botanical Gardens presents living butterfly’s in a tropical setting. Witness the fluttering of color on the wings of the variety of butterfly species at they flaunt their winged dancing within a special greenhouse. Don’t be surprised if one of these flying acrobatics takes a rest on your shoulder for a photo op with you. This butterfly exhibit is located on 2150 N. Alvernon way, at the garden. For more information call (520) 326-9686.

Annual Recycled Art Exhibition – Now through May 12, 2012 / Flagstaff

This exhibition give a new name to trash. One mans trash is another mans treasured art! This Recycled Art Exhibition is organized every year and this year represents their 10th annual event in 2012 hosted at the at the Coconino Center for the Arts. All the artwork in the show must contain at least 80 percent recycled or reused materials. The hours of this exhibition are the same as the Gallery hours; from 11 am to 5 pm and held on Saturdays, April 14, 21, 28 and May 5 and 12 located at 2300 N. Fort Valley Road. for more exhibition information call 928-286-9088 or visit http://tinyurl.com/7ydouwf.

Annual Bluegrass in the Park – Saturday, April 27, 2012 to Sunday, April 29, 2012 – Benson

Want to settle in to some old time Blue Grass music in the outdoors?  Well this is the event for you. This Blues and Jazz jam takes place at Lion’s Park where you can get into some music workshops, listen to some jams and eats some tasty foods all for an adult entry fee of $15 to $25, depending on your ticket. You might even become bold enough to participate and start your own jam session while meeting other music lovers. For more information visit http://www.arizonaoldtimefiddlers.org or call 520-586-2842.

Annual Desert Foothills Land Trust Sonoran Stars Under Western Skies Event – Saturday, April 28, 2012 / Cave Creek

Want to kick off your boots underneath the stars? At this event you’ll get that opportunity. Rancho Manana Golf Resort  presents classic Western music, a silent / live auction and dine with the finest gourmet dinner tonight. this event begins at 5:30 pm with entry fee of $250 per person. for more information call 480-488-6131 or visit http://www.dflt.org.

 

 

(Events updated weekly)

Sincerely,

Lisa Racz – Your local Arizona event writer