The Mother Road Classic is a show for cars, trucks and (new this year) motorcycles. Located in downtown Flagstaff, it celebrates Route 66, and classic, vintage, and performance vehicles. It is a charity event, raising money for Flagstaff charities. 8 a.m.
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Are bird feeders bad?
It’s complicated. A new study authored by NAU alumnus Andrew Abraham and professor of ecology Chris Doughty found that bird feeders are changing the chemistry of local ecosystems and introducing a potentially harmful amount of phosphorus into the environment. Does this mean putting out bird feeders is always bad? Not necessarily, the researchers say—but it does mean we need a better understanding of how different factors interact to change the
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Grand Canyon records second driest, second hottest July on record
The National Weather Service reports July temperatures at Grand Canyon averaged +3.8° warmer than normal, and the precipitation total for the month was only 0.65 inches – that’s a full inch below normal! The period June 1-July 31, 2024 was the hottest on record for most locations across northern Arizona (including Grand Canyon).
During this period of high fire danger, it is important to take proactive measures to reduce the risk of wildfires and ensure the safety of ourselves and our community.
Mariachi Rubor Femenil, Soul Persuasion and Ballet Folklorico de Colores — Flagstaff to headline FREE event. Veterans are encouraged to attend so they can participate in the traditional group photo
FLAGSTAFF — Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces will present its FREE 9th annual “Flagstaff Summertime Tardeada — Mariachi and Folklórico Festival, from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 224 S. Kendrick St., Flagstaff.
The event was launched in 2014 to pay homage to past traditional tardeada and jamaica celebrations in the neighborhood and at the historic church, which was constructed by the local Hispanic community in 1926.
Premier sponsors for 2024 include Cococnino County Board of Supervisors, the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, with additional sponsors to date including AmigosNAZ, APS, Barbara Arnold, Dale Crick Purple Hear Chapter No. 793, Duran Family, Flagstaff Findlay Toyota, Guadalupanas, Lozano’s Flagstaff Mortuary, Mama B’s, Mike and Ronda’s The Place, Nackard Pepsi and Nestlé Purina.
Dear Museum Friends,
Welcome August! At the Museum this month, we’re warming up for some end-of-summer fun and an awe-inspiring open house. Please join us this week as we rock to the tunes of Black Lemon for our final Thirsty Thursday of the year. Then, take time for our free Easton Collection Center Open House on August 24. The center is an architectural marvel where the Museum cares for and preserves its vast collection of pottery, weavings, paintings, carvings, jewelry, photographs, and much more. Seeing the Journey murals by Hopi artists Michael Kabotie and Delbridge Honanie (detail shown above) is a delightful experience in itself. The annual open house is an opportunity for all to tour the center, engage with our collections staff and curators, and ask questions about the collections.
Whether a first-time visitor or a regular guest to the Museum of Northern Arizona, you’ll be amazed to see and learn something new about the Colorado Plateau. I hope to see you soon.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
North Rim Native American Heritage Days kicks off this weekend
Heritage Days will take place this Friday, August 2, through Sunday, August 4. Throughout the weekend a variety of programs will be presented by members of Grand Canyon’s Associated Tribes, including music and dance performances, film screenings, discussions about cultural connections to Grand Canyon, and a variety of demonstrations by renowned Indigenous artists.
Activities will take place daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in and around Grand Canyon Lodge. For more information and the schedule of activities, visit the park’s Heritage Days webpage or see the full event flyer attached here.
Flagstaff’s big summer family musical Annie, which opened last Friday to a standing ovation, is already selling out some performances. The heartwarming classic, winner of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, is lighting up the Flagstaff stage.
“Annie is a wonderful musical for families. It’s such a feel-good story, gives a little taste of Christmas mid-summer, and lets everyone escape into history and song for a couple hours,”said chorus member Kim Hensley Owens.
It’s a hard knock life—but this beloved family classic will fill your heart with love and joy. Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m
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GRAND CANYON, Ariz — Heritage Days will return to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park Friday, August 2 through Sunday August 4th. Each day, Heritage Days programs and demonstrations will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. throughout the North Rim developed area. A special celebratory kick-off event will occur at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 1 at the North Rim Lodge. Heritage Days provide visitors and staff with the opportunity to experience and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon area.
The Fair supports exhibits in agriculture and horticulture, fine arts, home economics, hobbies and collectibles, floriculture, schools, open youth categories, club work, gems and minerals, livestock and small stock. Exhibits are free or low cost to enter, supporting the talents and work of community members and providing opportunities to win prizes. The livestock auction also provides important funding for local farmers, especially young people, including education funding.
Join us for a celebration of Celtic culture at the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival. 9 a.m.
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“Annie is the plucky little orphan who captures the hearts of a self-made billionaire and his household staff. In essence, turning them from just waitstaff and their obnoxiously wealthy bachelor boss, into a loving caring family. Which is all Annie has really ever wanted for herself,” said Annie director Joe Maniglia. “Audiences will hear old favorites such as Tomorrow and Hard Knock Life as well as rediscovering new standards in this last of a bygone era of Broadway classic musicals.”
Live music from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. by Colton House Sessions — Chris Brashear and Peter McLaughlin — in MNA’s beautiful, historic Courtyard. 5 p.m.
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As the warmth of summer settles in, there’s no better time to step into the cool and captivating spaces of the Museum of Northern Arizona. July brings a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in our latest exhibits. Explore the fascinating connection between Indigenous people and horses in Horse and Rider: A Southwest Story. And journey through the layers of the Grand Canyon’s alluring geology in the Grand Canyon Dragon Map exhibition. There’s so much to experience!
COCONINO COUNTY — Thousands of visitors crowded into downtown Flagstaff during a warm summer day to celebrate the 2024 Annual Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce/Nackard Pepsi 4th of July Parade on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Members of the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) joined the Coconino County parade entry as part of the 100-plus float event.
Also see:
• Arizona Daily Sun — Thousands turn out for Independence Day parade through downtown Flagstaff
Celebrate Independence Day with us at Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff! Thurs., 1:30 p.m., Fri., 10 a.m. Free.
As we come together to celebrate the birth of our nation, it’s a perfect time to reflect and remember the values that unite us: freedom, equality, and the unwavering spirit of community.
Independence Day honors not only those who founded our country, but also each person committed to a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive.
Whether it’s lending a hand to a neighbor, volunteering in our communities, or supporting those in need, every act of kindness makes a difference. Thank you, as always, for Living United. Together, we can create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
Wishing everyone a very happy 4th of July! Administrative offices will be closed for the holiday, but parks and natural areas are open. Remember to recreate safely and responsibly!
The big summer musical Annie comes to the Flagstaff stage. It’s a hard knock life—but this beloved family classic will fill your heart with love and joy. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“The audience will love the energy and the laughs as well as the talented cast,” said Teri Gochanour who plays Mrs Gear. “It’s a feel-good show that will have everyone humming and singing along long after the show.”
It’s no secret that 4th of July events can be an economic driver, with parades, festivals, and fireworks prompting tourists to visit communities large and small. In northern Arizona we are fortunate to have a wide range of Independence Day events for visitors – and locals – to enjoy.
The celebrations start early in Flagstaff where hundreds of runners will compete in the Downtown Mile, a series of races held prior to the annual 4th of July Parade. There are races for all levels of runners, including elite races for cash prizes and one just for children. The first race starts at 6:30 am.
Junk Journal Deconstruction
with Nicole Austin
July 17 – 18 : Wednesday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 9am – 4pm
Some call us monsters for ripping up and altering books – I think of us more as creatives who can see potential in anything! Let’s gather together with kindred spirits and rip and alter to our hearts’ content! We’ll take an ordinary vintage book and turn it into something extraordinary using paint, embellishments, and reconstructive techniques. You bring the book, (BYOB!) and I’ll supply the rest!
Flagstaff Beer Festival is a fundraising event for non-profit organizations in Northern Arizona. This year’s proceeds support Flagstaff STEM City.
Theatrikos Theatre Company brings the big summer musical Annie to the Flagstaff stage. The sun’ll come out tomorrow! It’s a hard knock life—but this beloved family classic will fill your heart with love and joy. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Juneteenth with a weekend of events at the Murdoch Community Center, including a gala, outdoor festival, and community talk highlighting the history of the building, Southside neighborhood, and the mural. Various Times.
By the Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth
As Summer rapidly approaches, it’s time for parents to start collecting resources for upcoming Summer Programs including food security, reading support and more throughout Coconino County.
Please check with individual organizations to confirm times, dates, other information.
The Coalition will continue to update this resource list. If you have a program you want us to include, please send an email to frank@coconinokids.org. Thank you. (Updated June 11, 2024).
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Impressionistic Painting
with Gretchen Lopez
July 12 : Friday 10am – 4:30pm
I love the “Impressionists”! They had an incredible way with color and light. In this class, we will explore the color mixtures and brush work the Impressionists used, and work from the still life and the landscape! Let’s plan to learn more about the light, and discuss Artists such as Monet, Sorolla and Renoir!
Dear Museum Friends,
I am thrilled to invite you, your family, and friends to our highlight event of the year – the Heritage Festival of Arts and Culture – June 22 & 23 at the Museum. The festival promises an immersive experience, connecting you with the rich and diverse traditions of the Indigenous peoples of the Colorado Plateau. Dozens of Native American artists will showcase their work, interspersed with dancers, musicians, demonstrators, and cultural experts sharing their knowledge and insights. My favorite part of this MNA annual festival is the opportunity to talk with artists directly and purchase unique handmade pieces reflecting the beauty and spirit of the Plateau. The painting above by Venaya Yazzie (Diné) gives you an idea of the talented artists who will be on hand. There will be something for everyone to enjoy, including activities for children, energizing music from Tha ‘Yoties, and tasty regional foods like frybread from Sacred Hogan.
The anticipation for summer is building! I can’t wait to see you at the Museum.
Mary Kershaw
Executive Director & CEO
Museum of Northern Arizona
Dear Museum Friends,
The silent auction for this year’s Party on the Plateau will close tomorrow, June 8th at 7:00 pm! You do not have to be attending the Party on the Plateau to participate and bid on items in the silent auction. Bidding is heating up! With items ranging from artworks to experiences, there is something for everyone and all the proceeds benefit the museum.
You can bid online by clicking here. Note that if you view the auction on your desktop browser, keep your cursor in the middle of the screen as you scroll to ensure you see all auction items. Some of our great items are showcased below!
The 34th annual Grand Canyon Star Party will conclude for the season on Saturday, June 8. South Rim events include a nightly slide show from a special guest speaker at 8 p.m. in the plaza of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
The list of speakers can be found on the Grand Canyon Star Party webpage and also in the NPS Mobile App. The talks are followed by free telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser constellation tours will be offered nightly at 9, 9:30, and 10 p.m.
North Rim events include telescopes set up on the terrace of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening along with astronomers with green lasers to pointing out constellations. By day, look for solar telescopes on the terrace and surrounding the Grand Canyon Lodge. A flyer for the evening events on the North Rim can be found here.
Flagstaff Pro Rodeo, Fort Tuthill County Park
Get ready for thrilling rodeo action, live entertainment, and fun for the whole family in the cool pines of Flagstaff! 5 p.m.
Junk Journal Deconstruction
with Nicole Austin
July 17 – 18 : Wednesday 10am – 5pm, Thursday 9am – 4pm
Some call us monsters for ripping up and altering books – I think of us more as creatives who can see potential in anything! Let’s gather together with kindred spirits and rip and alter to our hearts’ content! We’ll take an ordinary vintage book and turn it into something extraordinary using paint, embellishments, and reconstructive techniques. You bring the book, (BYOB!) and I’ll supply the rest!
• Hello From Supervisor Horstman
• Andy Bertelsen Appointed Next County
Manager
• 4FRI and Upper Rio de Flag Forest Restoration Update
• Flood Control District Receives $19.3 Federal
• PROTECT Grant for HWY 89
• Pinyon Uranium Mine Continues to Extract Ore
• County Designates Lake Mary Road as Recreation Corridor: Where the World Comes To Train
• Valle Arizona: An Innovative Community
ª Cheshire Community Gets Creative about Improving Street Safety
• BLM/AZ RAC Meeting on Proposed Recreation Fees at Arizona BLM Sites
• Western Interstate Conference in Yosemite Highlights Partnership and Responsible Land Management
• Northern Arizona Tradition Continues … Next generation of Moon-Bound Astronauts Train at Babbitt Ranches.
• Mount Elden Trailhead Re-Opens
Frontiere Draft Concept Master Plan
Thank you to everyone who participated in our May Values and Vision workshop. Join us on June 13th, 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Tuthill County Park Mess Hall, to review the Draft Concept Master Plan. Share your insights and comments regarding this beautiful property and its continued use! For more information, click here.
As we bid farewell to the bustling Memorial Day weekend, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated frontline staff. Your unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of visitors during this busy time does not go unnoticed. Thank you!
One last weekend to catch Arizona-born playwright Jaclyn Backhaus’ Men on Boats on the Flagstaff stage. The show about John Wesley Powell’s first trip through the Grand Canyon has been produced nationwide. Now, for the first time, it comes home to Northern Arizona (where it belongs!) with a production by Theatrikos.
Erika Acosta of Ash Fork Middle School has been named a 2024 “Esperanza” Latino Teacher Award winner by Chicano For La Causa (CPLC).
“(May 6), we honored four outstanding teachers at the 2024 Esperanza Latino Teacher Awards,” CPLC stated on its Facebook page.
Congratulations to our honorees from across Arizona: Erika Acosta, Margaret Gallego, Gabriel Robles, and Lilian Williams
You are not just teachers— you are mentors, role models, and an inspiration to all. Your passion and hard work shapes the future of our community
As we celebrate your well-deserved recognition today, we also celebrate the countless lives you have touched
Gracias to our sponsors: Salt River Project, Cox, Amazon Fire TV, Southwest Airlines, and HUB International”
ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona is a 10-day event, with art-centric activations across the city. May 23-26
Grand Canyon Unified School District high schoolers spent last week on a four-day whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River. Facilitated in partnership with Grand Canyon Youth (GCY), 20 students participated in the Diamond Down Expedition that covers the last 50 miles of the river through Grand Canyon National Park into Lake Mead Recreational Area. This is their third year the school has provided this experience for students. Grand Canyon National Park rangers Monique Navarro and Catrina Whitton were able to attend the trip which was coordinated by high school science teacher Forrest Radarian.
Summer Youth Clay Camp!
with Dennis Ott
Ages 8–12
June 24 – 28
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am – 12pm / Friday 1 – 4pm
Come Play in the Clay!
Come spend the week playing in the “mud” with two ceramicists who love sharing their clay talents with young folks. Each student will have the opportunity to learn throwing skills on the potter’s wheel as well as create several hand-built projects. You will also learn how your clay projects will be fired and glazed.
No experience is necessary – just your willingness to come and have fun creating in clay.
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP! STARTS TOMORROW!
Creating the Abstract Landscape
with Amanda Hawkins
May 22 – 24 : Wednesday – Friday, 9am – 3pm Daily
There is a sweet spot of overlap between the traditions of abstraction and contemporary landscape painting where mark-making and the implications of planar structure combine with color and light to create a magical realm of newly discovered space.
This workshop will help you transform Sedona’s beautiful scenery into loose and expressive abstract landscape paintings.
“Men on Boats is a brilliant reimagining of the mapping of the Grand Canyon,” said actor Sunny Richardson, who plays John Wessley Powell. “The show has direct quotes from Powell’s field journals, adding another layer of authenticity to the play.”
Photos from last night’s preview performance.
“Men on Boats is said to be a ‘true-ish’ story, based on the journal writings and accounts of John Wesley Powell and the crew that survived. Audiences will learn many rafting terms and how to work together out in the wilderness and on the water as a team to get through challenging situations,” said Theatrikos Board Member Lisa Coe, who plays trapper/hunter William Dunn in the play. Dunn was one of those who tragically left the expedition just moments before the successful conclusion. “Men on Boats is based on local history with a connection to the Grand Canyon and river running.”
Inner Canyon Water Status
The North Rim has reopened for the season and inner canyon temperatures are beginning to climb! Our water utilities staff are working diligently to turn on all remaining inner canyon water sources over the next week.
Projected “ON” dates for remaining inner canyon water sources:
ARTx: Art + Ideas Experience Arizona is a 10-day event, with art-centric activations across the city. 12 a.m
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Embrace the wild and honor your untamed heart in Alaska while making memorable art.
July in Alaska is synonymous with gorgeous weather. So it comes as no surprise that flowers are at their prime, the wildlife is active and the days are warm in the land of the midnight sun.
We will mix colors in rich hues inspired by the lush landscape, and create mono prints on a Gelli plate. As we amass a stack of abstract printed paper we will choose our favorites to incorporate into our art journals for compositions featuring circles, symmetry and symbolism that are personalized and inspiring to each individual.
FLAGSTAFF — Community members spent a lively evening dancing, enjoying bowlfulls of posole, participating and having a good time during the annual Cinco de Mayo Dance, featuring Los Alambrados, held at the American Legion Mark A. Moore Post 3 on Saturday, May 4, 2024.
The event was presented by the American Legion Auxiliary and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces.
The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and Flagstaff Nuestras Raíces invite you to participate in the annual Celebraciones de la Gente, a lively Day of the Dead festival on October 26 & 27, 2024.
Exhibitor booths will be open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
Please click here to download and fill out a vendor application.
Dear Museum Friends,
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a vibrant array of activities we have lined up over the coming weeks. I’ll share some highlights but be sure to scroll down to see all the happenings at MNA.
International Museum Day is May 18 and we’re offering free admission all day long. It’s an ideal chance to enjoy the Museum exhibits and some special events alongside your friends and family – absolutely free of charge.
Get ready for the unveiling of a captivating new exhibit, The Grand Canyon Dragon Map. I had the opportunity to see this extraordinary geology map during a rafting trip on the Colorado River in 2022. It immediately drew me in with its intricate details, colors, and design. This exhibit delves into the creation of the map in the 1970s, its applications today, and the stunning geology it depicts. Whether you’re a geology buff, an admirer of the Grand Canyon, or someone who appreciates exquisite maps, this exhibit promises to be an engaging experience.
View this email in your browser LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP! FIELD EXPEDITIONS Grand Canyon / Alaska Grand Canyon: Painting From the South Rim with Bill Cramer June 4 – 6 Tuesday – Thursday GRAND CANYON: PAINTING FROM THE SOUTH…
Stroll throughout Downtown Flagstaff to see and purchase paintings, jewelry, woodwork, ceramics, and more! 5 p.m
Town of Tusayan Weekend of Festivities—May 3-5
The Town of Tusayan is sponsoring several astronomy events and a Cinco de Mayo festival May 3-5.
On Friday, May 3, there will be a free showing of ‘Deep Sky’ an IMAX film on the images from the Webb telescope, and the ‘Grand Canyon Rivers of Time’ at the IMAX theater at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 4, there will be a drone and light show after dusk at the Tusayan Sports Complex with telescope viewing available.
Tusayan’s second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 4 to 9:30 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community. There will also be lawn games, Mexican music and dancing, and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy.
