Fri/Sat  3/11 –13   8am – 4pm

AZ State Fairgrounds Coliseum   19th Ave & McDowell

First Arizona Regional Robotics Competition

*         This is a FREE educational (and fun) event

*         Watch as 56 high school teams from the Western US and Mexico match robots

*         Teams designed, assembled, and tested robots capable of performing a specified task

*         Go to www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regionalevents.aspx?id=430 for more info

*         Also check out the FREE Alpaca Show event at the fairgrounds

This weekend  Fri (6 – 9pm), Sat (10am – 9pm)

MacDonald St & Pepper Place    Downtown Mesa

Blues Baseball and Balderdash

*         Features a long list of blues bands - FREE

*         Street performers, vendors and other activities are along Main Street

*         Go to www.downtownmesa.com/Blues Baseball & Balderdash.htm

Sat  3/13   7 – 10pm

American Legion   2125 S Industrial Park Ave, Tempe

Sentimental Dreams Dance!

*         Annual fundraiser featuring Sentimental Swing Big Band

*         Benefits Boys’ and Girls’ State scholarships

*         Your $10 donation includes a light dinner buffet by the Legionettes

*         Raffles, reasonably prices drinks, friendly crowd

this weekend  3/12 -14  10am – 6pm

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall  Goldwater Blvd & Indian School area

38th Annual Scottsdale Arts Festival

*         200 jury-selected artists display their work for sale in this park-like setting

*         Live entertainment, food, fun art for kids, online art auction and more

*         FREE parking & shuttle service available – adults $7; students $5; kids under 12 FREE

*         Go to www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org/arts_festival_geninfo.php

Sat  3/13  7:30-9:30 a.m.

Rio Salado Wildlife Sanctuary

Celebrate Hummingbirds

*         Imagine eating 2X your body weight daily, or beating your wings up to 200 beats per second

*         Join expert birders on an enjoyable walk to spot 8 different species of hummers (maybe)

*         Handouts, binoculars, field guides, and snack provided  -  Fee

*         Create account and register on-line for class #63123 at www.phoenix.gov/parks  

Sat  3/13  10:30am – 6:30pm

Fountain Hills

St. Patrick's Day Weekend Celebration

*         2 stages of entertainment - traditional Irish music & local entertainers

*         Fountain turns green at noon & 5pm   -  Kids activities, food, beer

*         $5 for 18 and over, under 18  FREE  -  go to www.fountainhillschamber.com

 

Sat  3/13 

Margaret Hance Park  McDowell Rd & 3rd St, Phoenix

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Faire 

*         Watch the parade with 50,000 other spectators along Central Avenue

*         Afterward the FAIRE features two stages with Irish music, Step dancing, and Bagpipers!

*         Food court has lots of Irish grub and Guinness beer!

*         Irish crafts & merchandise, kid’s face painting, a petting zoo, and lots of games and activities!

*         For details, times and schedule, go to www.phxirish.org/

Sat/Sun  3/13-14  10am – 5pm

Tempe Town Lake Beach Park

13th Annual Aloha Festival

*         Not Irish? Celebrate Hawaiian culture at this FREE event

*         Music, Hawaiian foods, entertainment, island crafts, games for all ages

*         Go to www.azalohafest.org/  Wear your brightest Hawaiian shirt!

Sat  3/13-14  10am – 5pm

Litchfield Park 101 W Wigwam Blvd (next to the resort)

11th Annual Art & Culinary Festival

*         Fine arts and crafts festival, live musical performances, wine tasting

*         Culinary demonstrations by top Valley chefs, more than 200 artisans

*         Go to www.litchfield-park.org/CurrentEvents.aspx?EID=521

Sat: 10am – midnight, Sun” noon – 11pm

Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S McQueen Road, Chandler

18th Annual Ostrich Festival

*         Ostrich races, a carnival, parade, continuous live entertainment and more

*         New this year: a Sea Lion Show!  Kid Zone and Community Stage

*         Expect a large crowd but lots of activities, spread out on large open (dusty) site

*         Ride Tickets on event day range from $2-9, under 6 FREE

*         Go to www.ostrichfestival.com for schedules

Sat/Sun  3/13 – 14  10am-4pm

Picacho Peak State Park  halfway to Tucson on I-10

Civil War in the Southwest

*         Annual battle re-enactments featuring over 200 costumed participants

*         Civil War camps, demonstrations, Civil War memorabilia & food booths

*         $7 per vehicle (up to 4 people)- bring plenty of water, lawn chair hat, and sunscreen

*         Go to http://azstateparks.com/Parks/PIPE/index.html - the orange California poppies should be awesome this weekend!

*         NOTE:  This state park is being closed down on June 3rd!

3/13 – 28   8am - 5pm daily

Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Hiway 60 Milepost No 223, near Superior

Spring Plant Sale

*         Does all this springlike weather make your Green Thumb itch?

*         Thousands of desert plants for sale, advice from arboretum horticulture experts

*         $7.50, $3 ages 5-12   -   go to http://ag.arizona.edu/BTA/events/plantsale.html

Sat  3/13   5-8pm

Cottonwood AZ

Second Saturday in Old Town Cottonwood

*         Buy some shamrocks or blarney stones for your wee leprechauns

*         Merchants will be offering 20% discounts on art, jewelry, furnishings and food

*         Old Town Center for the Arts presents The Wilde Boys - Nakai, Eaton & Clipman

*         Go on Saturday to catch the 35th Annual Verde Valley Gem & Mineral Show in Cottonwood

*         Free gem & mineral identification (Sat 10am - 3pm) so bring your rocks along

*         Go to www.mingusclub.org for info