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Celebrate 100 years of Arizona statehood with centennial events around the state.
Official Centennial Events are grass-roots efforts organized by communities and entities across the state and sanctioned by the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation. Official Centennial Events focus on education and community building and range from culinary celebrations to down-home rodeos. Here are some of the many official events; for more visit www.az100years.org.
Opening the Floodgates: Roosevelt Dam and the Development of the Salt River Valley
Phoenix
November 1, 2011 – January 31, 2012
The exhibit pays homage to the Roosevelt Dam, a historically significant landmark that celebrated its own centennial in 2011. Its construction created jobs in Arizona and was instrumental in furthering settlement by harnessing water for use in irrigation, generating power, ensuring water for domestic use and recreation.
Arizona National Livestock Show
Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix
December 28, 2011 – January 1, 2012
Established in 1948, the Arizona National Livestock Show educates the public on the importance of the livestock industry and Arizona’s diverse agriculture and ranching heritage. Interactive educational activities, Arizona ranch memorabilia displays, 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth program members showing their livestock, and the Arizona Pioneer Stockmen Organization annual luncheon are features of the show.
Arizona Military Aviation Walk of Honor
Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum
Mesa
January 2012
The Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force Museum is dedicating pedestals to past and present Arizona influencers in the field of military aviation. They will be hosting a walk of honor for those who are being celebrated and honored.
100 Years Of Arizona At Work
Phoenix
January – February 2012
A unique exhibit of historical photographs depicting 100 years of Arizona’s economic growth. Alliance Bank of Arizona’s collections of photographs portray the people — entrepreneurs, small-business owners, and workers — in the industries and infrastructure that shaped Arizona’s growth.
Arizona Centennial Celebration Concert
Chandler
February 3, 2012
The Chandler Symphony Orchestra will provide a free Centennial Celebration Concert, featuring music that celebrates the beauty of the Grand Canyon State and its long-standing Native American, Hispanic, prospector, and pioneer roots. The music will include performances by flamenco guitarist Chris Burton Jacome, Native American flutist Arvel Bird, and the Chandler Centennial Choir.
Arizona Centennial Train and Centennial Sweetheart Dinner
Williams, Grand Canyon
February 14, 2012
Ride behind a steam locomotive to the Grand Canyon in nostalgic Harriman coaches to one of the famous seven natural wonders of the world. The train ride will be followed by a Centennial Sweetheart Dinner at the Sultana Theatre, which was built in 1912. Enjoy a first-class meal while viewing a photographic account of Williams, Arizona, history that will be displayed throughout the theater.
AZ Centennial Moment of Statehood Bell Community Ringing
Sedona
February 14, 2012
A celebratory bell ringing for Arizona’s 100th birthday. Dignitaries, professional bell-ringers music, refreshments, 2:14 p.m. simultaneous community-wide ringing of bells including “Sedona’s bell,” which hangs in the steeple at Wayside Chapel. A public birthday party will follow the bell ringing.
The Sounds of Statehood
Tempe
February 14 – March 3, 2012
The Sounds of Statehood is a musical story that portrays the history of Arizona from about 1870 to February 14, 1912, culminating with statehood. The musical depicts the lives of true-to-life town founders, such as Judge Charles Hayden and his wife, Sallie Hayden, of the Hayden Flour Mill in Tempe. Historical events and prominent Arizona pioneers are also brought to life.
Expo 2012, Salt River American Indian Community
Salt River
February 14, 2012 – November 2012
In honor of the state’s 2012 centennial, The Solanna Group — a Salt River American Indian member-owned economic development and land advisory/investment firm — will hold a World’s Fair styled EXPO on its property at Salt River. Themed “Nature’s Wisdom” and “The Future,” the fair is designed as a symbolic portal to the next 100 years and recognition of the significantly intertwined legacy of both Salt River and Arizona as innovative, industrious, and indomitable peoples.
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Tucson
February 23, 2012
Now in its 87th year, the annual Tucson Rodeo Parade embodies the spirit and heritage of the state.
Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market
Phoenix
March 3 – 4, 2012
One of Arizona’s most significant cultural events, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Market is a world-acclaimed festival that draws nearly 20,000 visitors and more than 700 of the nation’s most outstanding and successful American Indian artists.
Prescott Frontier Days
Prescott
June 28, 2012 – July 4, 2012
This annual event, consisting of an eight-performance rodeo, parade, and three-night dance, has taken place since 1888. In 2012, the annual event will focus on the historical happenings in and around Prescott and Yavapai County, including ranching and mining. Rodeo: June 28 – July 4, 2012; parade: June 30, 2012; dance: June 28 – 30, 2012.
Apache Country Rodeo & Parade “100 Years: Our Way”
Springerville
Rodeo and parade July 4, 2012
Community events June 29, 2012 – July 4, 2012
This year marks the 100th consecutive Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo in Round Valley. The annual parade takes place the morning of the fourth. Community events include free pancake breakfast by the Eagar fire department, skateboard competitions, racquetball competitions, art walk with wine and cheese reception, vendors, bicycle racing, educational forums, and two evening dances at the rodeo grounds.
Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Ride
Tombstone, Cochise County
October 14 – 19, 2012
Wyatt Earp and Tombstone became legendary across the country in 1882 during his vendetta ride against the cowboy faction, a group of outlaws and cattle rustlers responsible for maiming his older brother and assassinating his younger brother. This five-day horseback ride follows Wyatt’s and his posse’s trail of retribution to the locales where Wyatt tracked and killed Curly Bill (in the Whetstone Mountains), Florentino Cruz (South Pass, Dragoon Mountains), and Johnny Ringo’s Gravesite (Chiricahua Mountains). Horses, tack, and food are provided. For more information, visit www.great-american-adventures.com.
For a list of Signature centennial events planned by the Arizona Centennial 2012 Foundation, click here.
Read the C&I “Arizona Centennial” feature from the January 2012 issue.
