Category: Cultural

Coconino County Board of Supervisors approves more than $2.5 million for local schools

“Education funding in Arizona is at a crisis point,” Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrice Horstman said. “Coconino County has made strategic decisions over the last two years to leverage additional federal resources for education while continuing to advocate at both the state and federal levels for the funding our schools need. Increasing funding to schools and establishing the Special Needs Allocation Program will help protect educational opportunities for our children and communities.”

CCC Community Education — Now open for registration: Professional Development Series, Foraging, Stained Glass, Comet Talk

Elevate: Leadership, Teams, and Professional Growth

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 30, Oct. 14, 28

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Develop skills and gain knowledge to support your organizations, advance in your career, and make connections. Sign up for all four, or choose individual sessions.

Elevate – Learn more and register!

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: August 10-14, 2026

The Transcanyon Waterline break located approximately one mile below Cottonwood Campground along the North Kaibab Trail has been fully repaired. Water utility crews successfully began pumping water to the South Rim late August 11, and South Rim tanks are now slowly filling.

City of Flagstaff Beautification – Arts &; Sciences — We want to hear from you!

We want to hear from you! The City of Flagstaff invites community input on a landmark three-dimensional artwork for installation at East Cedar Avenue and North West Street, as part of the Spruce Wash Wedge Detention Project.  

An online survey, open now through September 3, is available to provide feedback on the preliminary design. Through a series of questions, participants can share how well the sculpture connects to the site, whether it serves as a welcoming feature for the area, and offer any additional thoughts regarding materials, color or design.

Community input will guide the artist team. If you live or work on the Eastside, or have a meaningful connection to this area, your input is especially valuable.
Image: Courtesy of City of Flagstaff

Discover Parks and Recreation Summer Adventures with Our August 2026 Newsletter

The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair is Coming September 4-7!
Get Your Kicks and Fair Fix at Fort Tuthill County Park this Labor Day weekend! A clear bag policy is new this year, and volunteer sign-ups are open now.

New clear bag policy in effect for 2026; see details below
Get your tickets online at coconinocountyfair.com and skip the line on fair day!
Early bird carnival wristbands are still available. Get yours today!

Get the latest news updates from Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes including ‘Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentencing of Former Border Patrol Agent and Fiancée for Defrauding SNAP, WIC Programs’

Click below for the latest news updates from the:

Office Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes

Get the latest news updates from the Office of the Governor Katie Hobbs including ‘State of Arizona, Hopi Tribe, and Navajo Nation Sign MOU to Create Economic Opportunity in Four Corners Region’

Click below for the latest news updates from the: Office of the Governor Katie Hobbs

Neither bright sunshine nor pouring rain deterred community from celebrating 11th annual Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada on Aug. 1. See new photos from Arizona Daily Sun

FLAGSTAFF — Typical Flagstaff Summer weather — bright and hot sunshine mixed with sudden downpours of Monsoon rains — failed to deter a large crowd of local residents and visitors from attending the 11th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” presented on Aug. 1 by Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.

The annual event, designed to celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, drew over 400 people to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The event kicked off with the music of Ruben Hernandez, followed by a dance performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, the return of the all-female Mariachi Rubor. The ever-popular New Destiny closed out the event with a spirited performance that had the crowd dancing until dusk.

City of Flagstaff seeks community input on proposed Spruce Wash Wedge artwork

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz — The City of Flagstaff invites community input on a landmark three-dimensional artwork for installation at East Cedar Avenue and North West Street, as part of the Spruce Wash Wedge Detention Project.  The proposed 13-foot sculpture features a tassel-eared Abert squirrel, an icon of Flagstaff, and a species and subspecies native to Flagstaff and the region.

An online survey, open now through September 3, is available to provide feedback on the preliminary design. Through a series of questions, participants can share how well the sculpture connects to the site, whether it serves as a welcoming feature for the area and offer any additional thoughts regarding materials, color or design. The artist team of Haddad|Drugan, in collaboration with the City of Flagstaff’s Beautification, Arts & Sciences program, will review all survey submissions, identifying possible refinements and address any community concerns.

Coconino County Attorney’s Office and Navajo Nation launch historic Peacemaking Diversion Program

The Peacemaking Diversion Program offers eligible individuals an opportunity to resolve criminal cases through a restorative process that brings together participants, victims, family members and community members to repair harm, promote accountability and strengthen relationships. Successful completion of the program may result in eligible charges being dismissed while providing victims with a meaningful voice in the justice process.

Action Alert: Provide Input on Parks Master Plan

F3 encourages you to provide specific FEEDBACK and input on your PRIORITIES for Parks and Open Space, add to an interactive MAP, and complete the SURVEY as the City of Flagstaff starts the process of completing the PROSE Master Plan (Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Events).

The PROSE Master Plan is a long-range plan (10+ years) that will provide a roadmap and guide the City’s project priorities and funding. This Plan will create a vision for the future and will include both short-term and long-term goals for achievement.

Find Your Next Creative Adventure at Sedona Arts Center

Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.

Join us in the heart of Sedona and discover where creativity can take you.

Theatrikos Theater Co. — Don’t Miss Out! Experience Once, Old Man Lightning, and Finding Nemo, Jr. at Theatrikos

Step into a world where music isn’t just heard – it’s felt in every heartbeat. Opening this weekend and running through September 6, Once transforms the theatre into an enchanting, living Irish pub that draws you directly into its soul.

From the quietest whisper of an acoustic guitar to the thunderous, floor-shaking ensemble jams, this production is like no other. The mesmerizing set and breathtaking lighting wrap you in an atmospheric glow, creating a magical space where the boundary between stage and audience completely vanishes.

Creative Flagstaff — First Friday is Here! August ArtWalk Details

Flagstaff’s First Friday ArtWalk is a monthly celebration of creativity that brings downtown to life. Local galleries stay open late with special artist receptions and entertainment, so check out the gallery map to visit them all!

Join us for First Friday tomorrow, August 7, starting at 5pm, with a Dark Skies theme to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Flagstaff’s designation as the first international dark skies city. Constellation art activities, telescopes, and more!

The 2026 ArtWalk season is generously underwritten by Dapper Dre, supporting Car-Free First Fridays with traffic closures on Aspen St. for art and performance activations.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: August 3-7, 2026

Transcanyon Waterline Repair Continues; Water Restrictions Remain in Effect

Water utility crews continue making progress on repairs to the Transcanyon Waterline break located approximately one mile below Cottonwood Campground along the North Kaibab Trail. As of today, crews are back on site fitting replacement pipe as work advances toward restoring water service.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition joins partners at grand opening of Peaks Youth Center in Flagstaff

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

FLAGSTAFF — It was a packed meeting room when local non-profit leaders, elected officials, youth and other community supporters joined officials from the Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) for welcoming remarks video clip 1, 2, 3,) and the official ribbon cutting ceremony of the CCHHS Peaks Youth Center on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

The Peaks Youth Center, at 2625 N. King St., Flagstaff, is part of the renovation of the remodeled CCHHS Southern Region Office. Visitors to the front lobby will see a creative children’s play space featuring a hand-painted mural celebrating the unique diversity of Coconino County.

The Center is the result of work that began more than 6 years ago as pandemic-related disruptions and anxieties, social media pressures and increasing stressors for young people showed the need for essential support services, county officials stated in a media release.

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The NAU Review — Expanding your worldview in Puerto Rico + bad news for water in the West

¡Saludos desde Puerto Rico!

At NAU, a journey beyond the continental United States is more than a class; it’s a life-changing adventure. This summer, through the Global Citizens Project Scholars program, Lumberjacks explored cultures, met new people and experienced the world through fresh perspectives, all while discovering that understanding others is the first step toward understanding their own place in the world. ¡Vámonos!

City of Flagstaff Beautification, Arts & Sciences — Apply for a Beautification in Action Grant

The City of Flagstaff invites artists, community members and groups, schools, and local businesses to apply for a Beautification in Action grant to enliven our community’s public spaces. Projects can take the form of community gardens, neighborhood paths, benches, sculptures, murals, and more. Priority will be given to community-initiated projects that provide a lasting impact—fostering cultural connections, strengthening neighborhood awareness and identity, and deepening how residents and visitors interact with the built environment. All projects must be publicly and visually accessible.

Up to $8,000 is available per project.

United Way of Northern Arizona — A Fun Way to Roll into Kindergarten

Now in its 21st year, KinderCamp™ has just wrapped up another successful session. You can see the impact it had in the happy faces of the kiddos who participated. (Scroll down to see what I mean).

But it’s what parents, caregivers, and teachers are telling us that really captures how this month-long program is changing the way these children step into school.

KinderCamp is open to 4- or 5-year-olds with limited preschool experience, giving kids who might otherwise begin kindergarten feeling behind a real head start – academically, socially, and emotionally. It is provided at no cost to families.

Coconino Center for the Arts — Arts & Science Grants announcement

We are proud to announce that, this year, Creative Flagstaff has awarded General Operating Support grants to 43 Flagstaff nonprofit organizations totaling $505,000, and Project Grants to 16 organizations and individuals totaling $125,000.

Project Grants are designed to build capacity or expand a program, whereas General Operating Support Grants help sustain organizations. Both grants are intended to engage and enrich the Flagstaff community through arts, science, and culture. Additional BBB funding was allocated to ARTx 2026 Art + Ideas Experience for 23 projects totaling $125,000

Friends of Flagstaff’s Future (F3) — Join “Coffee Conversations” with F3’s Director on Aug. 5

Join the monthly “Coffee Conversations” with F3’s Executive Director thisWednesday, August 5th from 9:00-10:00 am at Mayan Winds
(2144 N. 4th St.). We had a great conversation last month!

Learn what F3 is working on, share your thoughts about Flagstaff issues, get updates on ongoing issues, and meet other citizens and members who are or want to be engaged with issues in Flagstaff.

Find your next creative adventure at Sedona Arts Center

Whether you’re exploring a new passion or building on years of experience, Sedona Arts Center offers inspiring classes and workshops for every skill level. Learn from working artists in a welcoming, hands-on environment while exploring painting, ceramics, jewelry, stained glass, photography, mixed media, and more.

Join us in the heart of Sedona and discover where creativity can take you.

Community prepares to celebrate 11th annual Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026

FLAGSTAFF — To celebrate and recognize Flagstaff’s Hispanic roots, Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invites the public to attend its 11th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival” from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.

The event is FREE, open to the public and has drawn upwards of 400 visitors in past years. 

Entertainment for this year includes a dance performance by Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff, the return of the popular all-female Mariachi Rubor, with closing dance music by New Destiny.

Downtown Flagstaff — 11th Annual Summertime Tardeada (Aug. 1), 2026 Flagstaff International Film Festival (Aug. 1-2), Flagstaff Chili Festival Thorpe Park (Aug. 1-2), more events

Discover Flagstaff publishes Flagstaff 365 Happenings on a weekly basis to highlight local events happening in and around Flagstaff. “Flag Happs” is distributed throughout Downtown Flagstaff, displayed in kiosks and storefronts, and also available at the Flagstaff Visitor Center. Below are some highlights of the week.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 27-31, 2026

Inner Canyon Waterline Repairs Complete 

Water has been fully restored to Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood Campground, and Phantom Ranch following the successful repair of a break in the Transcanyon Waterline. The pipeline was repressurized, water quality samples were cleared, and the water is once again safe to drink. Pumps at Havasupai Gardens are also operating and delivering water to the South Rim.

The NAU Review — An out-of-this-world family portrait + science in the great outdoors

Two camera systems designed and built by faculty and students at NAU on board NASA’s Mars-bound ESCAPADE captured unique photos of Earth and the Moon in visible and thermal infrared light. Learn more about this mission and what the camera will capture once it reaches the red planet.

Discover Your Creative Potential at Sedona Arts Center

Sedona Arts Center offers year-round classes and workshops designed to inspire artists of all experience levels. From painting, ceramics, jewelry making, stained glass, photography to mixed media and more, our programs are welcoming, hands-on, and taught by working artists in a supportive creative environment.

Theatrikos Theater Co. — Double Your Impact: Keep the Curtain Rising

For more than 53 years, Theatrikos Theatre Company has brought our community together through the power of live theatre.

Every performance, every student taking the stage for the first time, every volunteer giving their time, every standing ovation, none of it happens without people like you.

Today, we’re inviting you to make twice the impact.

Thanks to the generosity of a matching donor, every gift made during our Double Your Impact Campaign will be matched dollar for dollar.

Treasurer Sarah Benatar elected 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Counties

COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Treasurer Sarah Benatar was elected 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo), marking a historic moment in the organization’s 90-year history. Benatar is the first Latina and the first Treasurer to serve in this leadership role.

“I am honored to be elected 2nd Vice President of NACo. Thank you to county leaders from across the nation for your support and your belief in our vision that when counties decide, communities thrive,” Benatar said. “I look forward to working alongside each of you to strengthen our counties and champion local leadership because it’s time to return decision-making to the people who know their communities best.”

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 20-24, 2026

Community Library celebrates Summer Reading Challenge and looks to future
-Caroline Grass, Scientist in Park Intern

As the Grand Canyon Community Library continues to serve residents and visitors and as engagement in their programs increases, plans to better utilize their space in the Old Chase Bank building are underway.

Coconino County Justice Bus receives national Enhancing Justice Award

COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County Justice Bus has been selected to receive the 2026 Enhancing Justice Award from the National Association for Court Management (NACM), recognizing the program’s innovative approach to expanding access to justice and improving outcomes for residents throughout Coconino County. The award was announced in a letter from NACM President Kelly Hutton and was formally presented during the NACM Annual Conference on July 16, 2026.

The Enhancing Justice Award honors courts and justice-related organizations that demonstrate exemplary accomplishments and innovative projects that strengthen the administration of justice. The Coconino County Justice Bus was recognized for bringing court services and critical community resources directly to rural and underserved communities, reducing barriers that often prevent individuals from accessing the justice system.

Economic Collaborative of Northern Arizona (ECoNA) — Making the Case for Northern Arizona

You already know what makes northern Arizona special. Our region has a natural beauty that has drawn visitors from all over the world for generations. But we also share an unwavering ambition to expand our foothold into some of the most vital and vibrant sectors of the economy, such as bioscience, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and transportation and logistics, as well as traditional tourism sectors.

Now we have a tool that captures all of it in one place. ECoNA’s new recruitment brochure showcases the full range of what the region has to offer. It’s a resource designed to help businesses see, at a glance, why northern Arizona is worth a serious look.

You can see it here.

Coconino County responds to call for assistance after flooding in Moenkopi Wash

COCONINO COUNTY — On July 22, Emergency Declarations were issued by Hopi Tribal Leaders for the Moenkopi Wash area following a monsoon storm. The heavy rains and flooding damaged homes, schools, businesses, roads, fields and washes. Several homes were evacuated.

The declaration for Upper Moenkopi Village asked for assistance from several local, state and federal agencies, including Coconino County. The County deployed assistance from Emergency Management, Public Works and the Flood Control District to clear roads and provide 5,000 sandbags to residents.

Theatrikos Theater Co. — Final Chance for I Love You, new shows, & our first community forum!

Time is officially running out to catch the hit musical comedy that’s had audiences laughing in their seats all month long! I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change enters its final five-show stretch, running Thursday through Sunday only, with our absolute last performance taking the stage this Sunday afternoon.

From the awkward horrors of modern first dates to the wild rollercoaster of marriage, long-term commitment, and beyond, this hilarious production takes a brutally honest, utterly charming look at everything we do for love. Our phenomenal local cast delivers powerhouse vocals, razor-sharp comic timing, and non-stop energy through a lineup of unforgettable songs you’ll be humming all the way home.

Whether you’re planning a fun date night, an evening out with friends, or just need a good laugh, this is the show you don’t want to miss. Audience reviews are in, and the response has been overwhelmingly clear: this cast is brilliant, and the show is a total crowd-pleaser!

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition joins other partners at Flagstaff back to school event. Also see our listing for other back to school, Summer reading, food security and other programs

COCONINO COUNTY — The Commons area of Sinagua Middle School came alive with more than 200 children and their parents going from table to table to gather information at the Flagstaff Unified School District’s Native American Education Support Program’s annual School Supply Distribution & Expo Fair held on July 14 in Flagstaff. …

The following is a listing compiled by the Coalition of some of the back-to-school activities that have been announced in Coconino County.

The NAU Review — Dispatches from Tonto National Forest, an Etruscan scholar

Going underground to measure fire risk

This summer, NAU associate professor Salli Dymond is working with the Salt River Project and the startup company Growvera to install moisture sensors on plants and dead fuel on the forest floor and underground in parts of Tonto National Forest. Over the course of a year, she and her colleagues will monitor the sensors and analyze the data they generate. Dymond said if the sensors provide accurate enough moisture data, they could be a gamechanger in how Arizona officials communicate about and prepare for wildfire season.

Native Americans for Community Action (NACA) — July – August 2026 E-Newsletter

NACA accepts & provides services to all ethnic groups and all ages while focusing on whole-family health care. We pride ourselves in focusing on Native American health care, with the whole person in mind. Specialty care referrals are available for all patients. Referrals are also available to Native American patients through the Indian Health Services facilities in Flagstaff and in surrounding areas.

Find Your Next Creative Adventure at Sedona Arts Center

Sedona Arts Center offers year-round classes and workshops designed to inspire artists of all experience levels. From painting, ceramics, jewelry making, and photography to mixed media and more, our programs are welcoming, hands-on, and taught by working artists in a supportive creative environment.

Whether you’re discovering a new passion or continuing to grow your skills, you’ll find opportunities to explore, create, and connect in the heart of Sedona. New ceramics classes begin in June, alongside a wide variety of upcoming workshops and studio experiences for adults, teens, and families.

City of Flagstaff Beautification – Arts & Sciences — News & Opportunities

Call to Artists: Temporary 3D Artworks

The City of Flagstaff seeks proposals for large-scale, three-dimensional (3D) artworks for the 2027/2028 Multicultural County Park Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibition features five sculptures, existing or newly created, that reflect diverse cultural expressions including Indigenous, Black, and Latinx art. Selected artworks can advance essential perspectives and narratives and will invite interaction, conversation, and appreciation.

Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth — Coalition compiling back-to-school resource information. Also see our listing for Summer reading, food security and remaining Summer camps

By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth

COCONINO COUNTY — While many families are enjoying their Summer vacations, school officials are busy planning for a variety of back-to-school information fairs and other activities as the new school year rapidly approaches.

The following is a listing compiled by the Coalition of some of the back-to-school activities that have been announced in Coconino County.

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In addition, agencies, school districts and other organizations are still continuing to present a variety of Summer food security, Summer reading and Summer camp programs in Coconino County and throughout Northern Arizona.

Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information. Please visit the links below to see if registration is still available. Registration deadlines may have already passed for some programs.

If your organization would like to be added to this listing, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org

(INFORMATION UPDATED July 15, 2026)

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Coconino Center for the Arts —Celebrate Flagstaff Dark Skies with NightVisions: AMBER through Sept. 26, more events

BECOME A MEMBER Exhibitions Concerts & Events NightVisions: AMBER Exhibition Dates: June 27 – September 26, 2026 NightVisions: AMBER is an international juried art exhibition that seeks to explore and celebrate our deep connections with the night. In its 9th iteration for 2026,…

Early bird tickets now on sale for the 77th Annual Coconino County Fair

FLAGSTAFF — The 77th Annual Coconino County Fair returns to Fort Tuthill County Park over Labor Day Weekend, September 4-7, 2026, and early bird tickets are now on sale. Buy tickets online through July 31 to save on admission and carnival wristbands and skip the wait at the gate.

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra — Season 77 Is Here—Subscriptions Open July 25

Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to invite you to our 77th concert season, The Stories We Carry. Each of us is shaped by stories—those we inherit, those we imagine, and those we write each day. This season, we invite you to experience musical stories that reflect our shared humanity, celebrating the journeys, memories, dreams, and experiences that shape who we are. Explore the new season below.

New season subscriptions are available beginning July 25. Enjoy exclusive savings, priority access, and the flexibility to create the concert season that’s right for you.

Prefer to purchase as you go? Single tickets for all concerts go on sale August 10.

Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 6-10, 2026

Cliff Spring Fire Update

The Cliff Spring Fire on the North Rim remains at 171 acres with no new growth, no visible smoke, and currently at 40% containment. Fire activity remains minimal, and firefighters continue full suppression efforts while tracking small pockets of interior heat identified during a recent infrared flight.

There are currently no closures associated with the fire. The Cape Royal and Walhalla Plateau backcountry areas have reopened to permit holders.