Arizona is celebrating its 100th birthday February 14, 2012 — so where will you be? Check out what’s happening around the state for the Arizona Centennial.
Arizona Centennial Events:
Central Arizona
Arizona Centennial Best Fest, Phoenix
Arizona Centennial Best Fest will take place in downtown Phoenix and include an “Arizona World’s Fair” exhibit, kids zone, performance stages and food stations hosted by some of the best Arizona restaurants, wineries and breweries. Admission is free.
Saturday, February 11 from noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, February 12 from noon to 6 p.m.
Arizona State Capitol
1700 W. Washington Street
az100years.org
A Tale of Two Cities Parade & Festival, Goodyear & Avondale
The cities of Goodyear and Avondale will host a joint parade on Saturday, February 25. The parade will celebrate Arizona’s Centennial with floats, bands, vintage cars, horses, gymnastic troops and dance troops and will begin at 10 a.m. on Litchfield Road; travel east on Thomas Road and end at Dysart Road.
Carefree Sundial Centennial Time Capsule, Carefree
The Carefree Sundial is the largest sundial in Arizona. In honor of the Arizona Centennial, Carefree will place a Centennial Time Capsule into the Sundial that will be opened in 2059, the Sundial’s Centennial. The placing of this capsule will be held on February 14th at the Sundial.
Fandango! Arizona Gala
This centennial gala will be held by the Arizona Centennial Commission. Cocktails, dinner, silent auctions and appearances by Hugh Downs, Harvey Mackay, Rex Allen Jr., Gov. Jan Brewer and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor will be part of this celebration. Tickets start at $250. The gala will take place on Tuesday, February 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Phoenix Convention Center
North Ballroom, Third and Jefferson streets
az100years.org
Mesa Takes Flight Festival
This celebration features aviation and aerospace. Fun activities, such as an interactive Flight-O-Vation performance, a paper-airplane competition and an original play about the Wright brothers, will be part of the festival. Admission is free.
Friday, February 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m
Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, February 12 from noon to 4 p.m.
Mesa Arts Center
1 E. Main Street
(480) 644-6500
mesaartscenter.com
Northern Arizona
Arizona Centennial Train and Centennial Sweetheart Dinner, Williams/Grand Canyon
Never been on a train? Never been to the Grand Canyon? This is your chance to ride a 1923 Harriman coach to one of the seven natural world wonders. After the train ride, treat yourself to a Centennial Sweetheart Dinner at the Sultana Theatre, built in 1912. Proceeds from the dinner will be donated to the local Historical Society. Train departs at 9:30 a.m., dinner will be held at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, February 14
Call (928) 635-0273 for reservations
Tickets are $50 per person
Great Pine Cone Lowering for Centennial Statehood Day, Flagstaff
On February 14, the Weatherford Hotel will repeat its New Year’s Eve festivities by lowering the Great Pine Cone at 7 p.m. This will be followed by a LED light show of the state colors in celebration of Arizona’s 100th birthday.
Arizona Centennial Quilt Project 100 Years — 100 Quilts Exhibit, Sedona
The 100 Quilts Exhibit will showcase 100 quilts entered from around the state. Each quilt is unique and most represent the communities the quilters live in. The highlight of the exhibit will be the Arizona Centennial Quilt.
February 18, 2012 – December 2012
Arizona Historical Society Museum
949 East Second Street
520-628-5774
arizonahistoricalsociety.org
Sedona International Film Festival
The Sedona International Film Festival will feature “100 Years of Film in Arizona.” The film festival is a celebration of independent film from around the world. More than 145 films will be featured during this nine-day festival (February 18-26). For ticket information call (928) 282-1177.
Southern Arizona
Tucson Symphony Orchestra: Arizona Centennial Celebration
The Tucson Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Arizona’s 100th birthday with a program of music, dance, spoken word and a performance by R. Carlos Nakai — the world’s premier performer of the Native American flute.
Friday, February 10 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m.
Tucson Symphony Center
2175 North Sixth Avenue
(520) 882-8585
tucsonsymphony.org
Arizona’s Centennial Celebration, Tucson
Taste colonial food and listen to historical stories about Tucson. Parking will be free on the nearby streets. This event takes place on Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Tucson Presidio
133 W. Washington
downtowntucson.org
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
The largest gem and mineral show in the United States will celebrate the Arizona Centennial the weekend of February 9 – 12. The show is open to the public and will offer educational exhibits. Proceeds from the show will be used to support mineral knowledge and appreciation. Tickets may be ordered through ticketmaster.com] or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Thursday, February 9 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, February 10 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, February 11 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, February 12 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tucson Convention Center
260 South Church Avenue
tgms.org
