As you’ve gathered by now, the Grand Canyon State is full of culture.
Although there are too many cultural events to list on this page, the following is a sampling of some of the most popular events in Arizona.
For more information, please go check Arizona Tourism’s website.
FEBRUARY:
In Sierra Vista, visitors will love the Cochise Cowboy Poetry & Music Gathering, “Horses and Cattle: the Cowboy’s Life.” This event continues the tradition of bringing this true Western expression of the cowboy way to today’s audiences. Free Saturday programs include more than 40 musicians, storytellers and musical groups from a variety of Western states.
MARCH:
Art from the Other Half of the West Invitational Show & Sale The Desert Caballeros Western Museum is the setting for this annual show and sale. More than 200 works of art by almost 60 of the West’s top women artists are on display and for sale during this event.
MAY:
Attend Wyatt Earp Days, held every Memorial Day Weekend, to raise money for youth activities. This year’s is May 23-25. The celebration consists of a chili cook-off, fashion shows by the Tombstone Vigilettes and gunfight re-enactments by the Tombstone Vigilantes and others.
JULY:
White Mountain Native American Art Festival, in Pinetop/Lakeside, AZ. More than 80 of the Southwest’s finest American Indian artists display their homemade jewelry, paintings, rugs and other authentic Indian artwork at the Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex.
AUGUST:
In Payson, AZ, visitors will enjoy the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo Championship. Watch the country’s top cowboys rope calves and steers, ride bulls and broncos. This rodeo is exciting to say the least and provides an authentic Western lifestyle event for visitor to the Grand Canyon State.
In Tombstone, AZ, Aug. 7-9, the Tombstone Vigilantes host the Re-Enactment Competition as well as the Costume Competition. Aug. 7-9, attend Vigilante Days, an event in Tombstone that features gunfight re-enactments on historic Allen St., 1880′s fashion shows, Chili Cook-off, 10K run, and more.
SEPTEMBER:
In Window Rock is the Navajo Nation Fair: the largest Navajo Nation Fair and the world’s largest Indian fair. Activities include the largest Indian rodeo, entertainment, parade, exhibits, Indian arts and crafts, traditional Navajo singing and dancing and performances from Indians who come from all over the U. S., including an inter-tribal powwow, carnival and more.
OCTOBER:
In Tombstone, AZ, on Oct. 16-18 is Helldorado Days In July 1881, a disgruntled miner writes the Tombstone Nugget newspaper stating that instead of finding their “eldorado” of riches, many men ended up washing dishes or other menial jobs, finding instead, their “Helldorado”. The term stuck. Helldorado is Tombstone’s oldest festival celebrating its rip-roaring days of the 1880′s. Helldorado, started in 1929, is sponsored by Helldorado, Inc. whose membership is composed of residents in Cochise County. Helldorado is held every third weekend in October and consists of gunfight re-enactment shows, street entertainment, fashion shows and a family oriented carnival. In addition, come and watch the Annual Helldorado Parade on Sunday at 11am.
