The Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival has found new digs.
Beginning with this year’s event — Friday, March 13, to Sunday March 15, and Friday, March 20, to Sunday, March 22 — the festival will be held at Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler, on the Gila River Indian Community.
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The City of Chandler’s long-term plans for Tumbleweed Park at McQueen and Germann roads paved the way for the Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival’s relocation.
“We started off in Downtown Chandler and then moved to Tumbleweed Park,” said Terri Kimble, Chandler Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive officer.
“For Tumbleweed Park, [the City of Chandler’s] long-term plans were to build it out.”
In early January, the City posted it is seeking statements of qualifications (SOQ) from experienced real estate development teams for the development of a mixed-use commercial project at the 16-acre, city-owned site.
According to the SOQ, the “city aims to transform this site into a legacy project that complements existing park amenities, adds economic vitality and meets the needs of residents and employers.”
The development is expected to include a boutique hotel, family-friendly resort hotel, restaurants, retail and entertainment and recreation facilities. The SOQ deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. Following this phase, shortlisted teams will be invited to respond to a request for proposals (RFP) issued on April 8, with a June 10, RFP deadline.
“This [festival relocation] is exciting for the City of Chandler, too,” Kimble said. “The [SOQ] was quicker than anticipated, which is a good thing for Chandler. Rawhide, the City of Chandler and the Chandler Chamber of Commerce have had a long-standing relationship with the Gila River Indian Community.
“It’s a triple win.”
The move to Rawhide supports the continued expansion of the Ostrich Festival, including its attendance, parking and infrastructure. The festival will also feature a refreshed layout and updated amenities, including indoor vendor space, permanent restrooms and running water throughout the grounds.
“Over the last couple of years — since it’s grown and because of construction at the park — we were shuttling people in from Hamilton High School or Chandler Gilbert Community College,” Kimble said.
“We had big tour buses bringing people in. That was tough for wheelchairs and strollers. It really made sense, and there is more of an opportunity to grow.”
Rawhide provides additional room for attractions, carnival rides, and activities, as well as opportunities to learn more about the ostrich history in Chandler.
Even though it’s at Rawhide, the chamber is “still using Chandler hotels, restaurants for catering and vendors,” Kimble explained. “We get to expand our footprint. There improved parking and guests don’t have to worry about shuttle buses.”
Music acts and other entertainment will be announced soon. Favorites slated to return are Butler Amusements’ rides and games, and an improved ostrich educational area hosted by Picacho-based Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch.
“The Ostrich Festival has long been one of Chandler’s most cherished traditions, celebrating our unique history with ostriches,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke in a statement.
“We’re grateful to the Chandler Chamber of Commerce and its partners for their commitment to build on the festival’s success while honoring the heritage and family-friendly attractions that make this a truly special event.”
The festival was founded in 1989 to celebrate Chandler’s early ostrich ranching heritage. After relocating to Tumbleweed Park in 2003, the event built enough momentum to offer two weekends of entertainment featuring national headliners like The Fray, The Beach Boys, Walker Hayes, Nelly and Tyler Hubbard, along with more than 40 rides and attractions, and hundreds of vendors.
Gila River Development is a business entity owned by the Gila River Indian Community tasked with overseeing Wild Horse Pass and managing Gila River Business Enterprises (GRBE), Gila Gas & Goods (GGG), Gila River Outdoor (GRO), Toka Sticks Golf Club and Four Points by Sheraton at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.
Founded over a century ago, the Chandler Chamber of Commerce is one of Arizona’s largest business organizations, representing more than 175,000 employees across local and global companies.
Wild Horse Pass is a 3,300-acre master-planned development focused on commerce and leisure, featuring the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Resorts & Casinos- Wild Horse Pass, Firebird Motorsports Park, Rawhide Western Town & Event Center, Buck-N Rodeo Grounds, Gila Gas & Goods, Phoenix Premium Outlets, KOLI Equestrian Center, Radford Racing School and Huhugam Heritage Center.
Information
Chandler Chamber Ostrich Festival: ostrichfestival.com
Chandler Chamber of Commerce: chandlerchamber.com
Wild Horse Pass: wildhorsepass.com
City of Chandler: chandleraz.gov
SOQ: Solicitation No: ED6-909-5028
