Yuma celebrates its rich history at the crossroads of the Southwest every February, but with the whole state of Arizona also getting set to light the candles for its 100th birthday in 2012, Yuma Crossing Day and Redondo Days will definitely be special this year.
A full day of fun, free activities, Yuma Crossing Day take places from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, along historic Madison Avenue in downtown Yuma. The original track alignment for the Southern Pacific Railroad when it entered Arizona in 1877, Madison Avenue still boasts some of Yuma's oldest buildings, including the historic Sanguinetti House, now a museum operated by the Rio Colorado chapter of the Arizona Historical Society.
Along with historical re-enactors dressed in authentic period costume, Yuma Crossing Day will feature demonstrations of piñata making, tamale cooking and adobe brick making, along with displays of antique tractors and cars. Entertainment will feature mariachi bands and folklorico dancers, along with games authentic to the period. To add extra spice to the day, there will be a jalapeño eating contest, along with vendors of vittles and drinks.
Daytime activities are free and open to the public; admission to the Sanguinetti House Museum is also free that day. Author Gerald Ahnert will autograph his newly published book, The Butterfield Trail and Overland Mail Company in Arizona, 1858-1861.
But the fun doesn't end when the sun goes down, as the Yuma County Historical Society is hosting a Redondo Days fundraising dinner at 6:30 p.m. to benefit the Sanguinetti House museum.
Jose Maria Redondo was Yuma's first mayor and a pioneer of agriculture in the Yuma area, as well as a founder of Redondo Beach, Calif. Singer Linda Ronstadt is among the Arizonans whose family trees include Redondo roots.
To be held in the gardens of the Molina Block, an original adobe structure that was one of Yuma's first commercial buildings, tickets for the fundraiser are available now for $50 per person or, or to ensure families, friends or business associates are seated together, $500 for a table of eight.
Along with other entertainment, the fundraiser will feature an auction of art, antiques and such unique experiences as dinner at the Redondo hacienda ruins hosted and served by descendents of Jose Maria Redondo; dinner in the Sanguinetti House gardens hosted and served by descendants of the family; dinner at the site of the Wilson Boarding House hosted and served by descendants...
The Stage is set... Come join our play. History and adventure come alive on this our 6th annual celebration.
The Two Rivers Renaissance Faire celebrates the music, food, and fun of the olde world village marketplace.
Experience Lords & Ladies, swordsmen, jugglers, fools, minstrels, belly dancers, magicians, Shakespearean actors, and more in our olde world village faire. Spend the day in joyous revelry.
But beware...there be pirates about. You must also try to avoid the mischief and enchantments of the faerie folk!
February 3rd, 4th and 5th 2012 at the West Wetlands Park! One, two, and three days passes available. For more information http://www.tworiversfaire.com/index.html
The Yuma Lettuce Days Culinary Festival combines locally grown ingredients, interactive displays and programs, exhibitors and vendors, and Yuma culture into a sophisticated, educational and entertaining weekend event. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample a variety of locally grown freshly made food and beverages in an outdoor setting March 10th and 11th at the Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.http://www.yumalettucedays.com/
Midnight at the Oasis, the Southwest's premier Classic Car and Nostalgia Festival, brought to you by the Caballeros de Yuma. Featuring 1,000 classic cars, this year's event takes place at the Ray Kroc Baseball Complex in Yuma, AZ opening on Friday Evening, March 2 and continuing to Sunday afternoon, March 4. The festival includes a smorgasbord of regional food cooked by local non-profit agencies, vendors from all around the West, rides for the kids, concerts on Friday and Saturday night - and to kick off the festivities, a parade of classic cars.http://www.midnightattheoasis.net/
The Yuma Antique Show and Sale will be held at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 West Desert Hills Drive, Yuma, Arizona. A favorite among collectors and LONG-time buyers! The show continues to produce a successful, packed building with rows and rows of quality antiques and collectibles of all kinds! General Admission $3. Seniors $2. http://www.ci.yuma.az.us/events_21575.htm
The 7th Annual Woodcarving Expo is an extravaganza showcasing the extraordinary talents of area woodcarvers. Vendors will be on hand to introduce newcomers to the craft as well as supply the experts.
Yuma Readiness and Community Center, 6550 East 24th Street, Yuma, Arizona (near Araby Road and 24th Street)
Looking for fresh ideas for home improvement, design, landscaping, remodeling, finance, cooking and more? With hundreds of displays, the Yuma Home & Garden Show is flourishing with ideas that will help you transform your house into your ideal dream home!
The Yuma Community Food Bank sponsors two weekly Farmers Markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10AM to 3PM. The first is held on Tuesday in Historic Downtown Yuma and is followed on Saturdays at the Yuma Palms Shopping Center. The many vendor booths at the Farmers Market raises funds to benefit YCFB's mission to relieve hunger, increase self-reliance and improve the quality of life for children and families throughout southwestern Arizona.
The Deguello Gunslingers Once Again Return To The Only Place Tough Enough To Handle Them. The Yuma Territorial Prison. Weekly Shows Every Saturday At High Noon and 2pm. (October through April). http://deguellogunslingers.com/
The Jelly Belly touring bus is headed for Yuma, with a special stop set for Dec. 10 at The Peanut Patch, 4322 E. County 13th Street. The rolling jelly-beanery was last here in November of 2010.
Touring jelly bean experts will share insider secrets to the making of Jelly Belly jelly beans, the iconic sweet treat that gained fame around the world during the presidency of Ronald Reagan, a devoted fan of the flavor-packed morsels.
Famous throughout the region for its wide array of candy and treats, The Peanut Patch will host the Jelly Belly bus - and an array of fun activities - from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the sweet Saturday.
The City of San Luis will once again be presenting The Christmas Lights Parade on Saturday, December 3rd, starting at 6PM.
PARADE ROUTE The Christmas Lights Parade begins at 7th Avenue and Juan Sanchez Boulevard and it heads West. The parade runs through Main Street, wrapping at Joe Orduño Park located at 965 North Park Avenue, San Luis, Arizona. For more information about this event please call San Luis Parks & Recreation Coordinator Lizeth Servin at (928) 341-8535. http://www.cityofsanluis.org/calendar.html?article_id=375
Hosted by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, Civil War days will be held at the Yuma Quartermasters Depot. Among the activities offered will be two daily battle re-enactments.
This is the second year that this Boston Marathon qualifier will test the stamina of runners. The marathon runs will begin at the Cocapah Casino and Resort with runners turning around near Gadsden for the half-marathon or San Luis if they elect to run the full course.
Held in Historic Downtown Yuma on Main Street, this 3-Day Festival honors our Military past, present and future with art displays, vintage movies and live entertainment.. Free to Public. Color guard, guest speakers, photo displays, and more! http://www.ci.yuma.az.us/events_25311.htm
Over one hundred floats take part in this annual evening event. The theme for 2011 will be Yuma One hundred years in the making. The parade winds through the Historic North End and finishes in the parking lot of the Pivot Point Conference Center and Hilton Garden Inn.
The EL Toro Bowl, a National Junior College Athletic Association football game, will matchup two nationally ranked teams and marks the return of the El Toro Bowl to Yuma after a thirty five year absence.
Travel back in time at the Centennial Christmas Village inside the Quartermaster Depot from Dec. 16-23, 2011. Experience turn of the century holiday festivities in each of the huge playhouses: Santas Workshop, The Foothills Bank, Hilton Garden Inn, YRMC Heart House, Blimpies Cottage, Cook Orthodontics Chalet, AWC Schoolhouse and HSOY Gingerbread house. Then go shopping at the Pioneer craft market where vendors sell traditional Christmas goods.
The Colorado River Crossing Hot Air Balloon Festival attracts some of the most colorful and unique balloons from the West and Southwest. Staged over three days in November, with mass ascensions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, the festival uses the Colorado River and the Sonoran Desert as its backdrop.
