Country Music Festival

Country JAM

Saturday, May 22, 2010

5:30pm - 10:00pm

at the Yuma County Fair Grounds

The Country Jam will have 4 country bands featuring, Jimmy Wayne, Little Texas, Yuma's own Slick Nickle and The Doo-Wah Riders with a surprise guest on steel guitar! Come out and have a great time. Bring the whole family! Click here to buy tickets online.

Civil War Days UPDATE w/ schedule

For general info about this event, click here to see my earlier post. 

2010 Civil War Days Schedule

Saturday, April 10, 2010
08:00am Gates open to public
08:45 Post Colors
10:30 Officers Call
Spencer & Jackson Minstrel Show (Civilian Town/Sutler Row)
Territorial Brass Band (Gazebo area)
11:00am Close camps
Muster
11:30am 1st Battle
12:00pm Artillery Demonstration (CS Artillery)
2:00pm Officers Call, Spencer & Jackson Minstrel Show
Territorial Brass Band
2:30pm Camps close
Muster
3:00pm 2nd Battle
3:30pm Artillery Demonstration (Union Artillery)
5:00pm Retire the Colors, camps closed to public


Sunday, April 11, 2010
08:00am Gates open to public
08:45am Post Colors
09:00am Church Service
10:00am Officers Call, Spencer & Jackson Minstrel Show
10:30 Close camps
Muster
11:00 3rd Battle
12:30pm Officers Call
Spencer & Jackson Minstrel Show
1:00pm Close camps
Muster
Artillery Demonstration (Union & CS Artillery)
1:30pm 4th Battle
2:00pm Gates close

Civil War Days

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area presents Civil War Days, celebrating live history at the Quartermaster Depot.

April 10-11, 2010

gates open at 8:30am 8:00am

Admission is $10 per day or $15 for both days

The event is organized by Moody’s Battery and Battery D 5th US and is recommended by the American Civil War Society. It will include two reenactment battles each day with live cannons, a minstrel show, and a Territorial Brass band. The re-enactors come from all across the United States. In addition, thousands of visitors are expected to attend this event.


The Quartermaster Depot is located at 201 North 4th Avenue in Yuma. For more information, call the Yuma Visitors Center at 928-783-0071 or visit www.yumaheritage.com. Parking is limited at the QMD. A separate parking area has been arranged at the Hilton Pivot Point Conference Center and Hotel with a free shuttle train offering transportation. Follow the event parking signs at the corner of 1st Street and Madison Avenue.


Click here for the full schedule.

ARTbeat 3 - free outdoor art show & sale

Yuma Art Center hosts

ARTbeat 3

Saturday, April 17, 2010

9:00am - 3:00pm

Main Street in Historic Downtown Yuma

ARTbeat is a free outdoor, juried art show and sale with an eclectic mixture of recognized and emerging local, regional and international artists in a variety of artistic mediums and styles. There will be sculpture, painting, jewelry, graphic design, glass, ceramics, photography, mixed media and more. 

Several local performing artists and groups including Yuma Youth Choir, pianist Michael Kolinsky, Silver Strings Quartet, classical guitarist Jason Arviso and JAM University music school, and pianist Tyler Adler will provide musical entertainment in the Yuma Art Center during the day.

There will also be several art exhibits inside the Yuma Art Center galleries. The 4^th Annual International Photography Festival, "El Camino Real 2010," will be in the central gallery; the Peter Mitten Exhibit will be in the north and south galleries; and resident artist Barbara Berry's student art exhibit will be in the west gallery.

Artists who are interested in showcasing their work in ARTbeat 3 may email Ana Lazo-Padilla at Ana.Lazo-Padilla@yumaaz.gov  or (928) 373-5207.  For other information about ARTbeat 3 call (928) 373-5202.

Yuma Relay for Life @ Desert Sun Stadium

American Cancer Society Relay for Life
April 17th & 18th, 5:00pm - 8:00am
Desert Sun Stadium


The Yuma Relay for Life is an overnight experience you will never forget. For a night, we CELEBRATE Cancer Survivors, REMEMBER those who lost their fight with the disease, and FIGHT BACK thru fund raising efforts to find a cure. We walk all night because "Cancer Never Sleeps". Over 80 teams and 1,200 participants walk in Relay fashion as each team in represented on the track at all times. We start our event with the Survivor Lap, and last year over 380 of us walked, inspired by cheers and tears.

Luminarias are white paper bags with candles in them that light the way at night.  These Luminarias can be purchased in memory or in honor of someone and their name will be placed on the bag and placed on the track.  It's so amazing to see all these bag lit up at night and knowing that each one of those bags represents someone affected by cancer.






*This message posted in memory of my dad.  Cancer takes some of the best ones from us.

Battle of the Bands

Battle of the Bands 2010

Saturday, April 24, 2010 May 8, 2010
4:00pm to about 11:30pm
at the Yuma Fun Factory new venue TBA
event is free, but you need to bring your own chair

"Blaring guitars, thumping drums, wailing vocals and hot keyboards barely describe the energy that is Battle of the Bands! Battle of the Bands is an annual, local musical competition produced by YumaSun.com

Started in 2004, YumaSun.com has been bringing together a wide variety of local musical talent for seven years!

Four local judges scored our bands during their performances, making up 60% of the bands' score. The other 40% came from votes from audience members like you - thanks for coming out and supporting the bands!"

-Yuma Sun

Mini Carnival - this week only

Thank you to Charla and my husband for telling me about the little fair / carnival going on this week in the old Mervyn's parking lot.  I drove by there this afternoon and found out that it's closed today and tomorrow and will be open Wednesday - Sunday.  Last weekend they opened at noon, so the gentleman said that it should open at noon again this weekend, but will probably not open until 4:00pm on the weekdays, but he wasn't really sure.  And it's open until about 10/11:00pm.   You really want to know how it's open?  You drive by it see the ferris wheel going.  Don't you love the way events are marketed in Yuma?

I neglected to ask what it costs to go on the rides, so I apologize. Just got this bit of insider info from Charla:
"The rides for little kids are 3 tickets. Bigger rides are 4-5 tickets. The tickets are $1 each! OR 20 for $17 or you can get an arm band at 4PM to 10PM for I think around $22ish?"

If you'll be missing the fair or just wanted a smaller venue to take your kids to, this is a nice substitute.

Let's Go Green - Earth Day Sustainability Fair

Thursday, Apr 22 9:00a to 1:00p

at Arizona Western College, Yuma, AZ

We invite you to join our Sustainability Fair on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22nd from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on the AWC main campus. Our theme is Let’s Go Green. Come and visit with vendors on green products and learn ways to “Go Green”.

This is FREE event, on the main campus of Arizona Western College at the Ag/Science building.

25-30 booths representing businesses, non-profits, government agencies, AWC students & faculty are expected to participate and a solar car race competition put on my a local school.

58th Annual Yuma County Fair

2010 Yuma County Fair

Tuesday, March 30:  $1 day, gates open at 3:00pm

Wednesday, March 31 - Sunday, April 4

 $5 for adults, $ for children ages 6-12 (kids 5 and under are free), gates open at 8:00am

Located on 32nd Street across from the Air Station / Air Port.

You'll find a wide variety of exhibits that include the 4-H, FFA projects, open division projects such as Home Economics, Woodworking, Floral Arrangements, Photography, Fine Arts, Quilting, Gems and Minerals and Crafts and Hobbies.  They also have the largest Junior Livestock Show and Auction in the Southwest.  Entertainment is scheduled daily along with carnival rides and games and the always popular Demolition Derby.  While at the Fair, stop by the great food booths that are sponsored by many of the Yuma area Service Clubs.  A few other highlights: Petting Zoo, Tiny Tots Ride Area, & Beer Garden.

More information to come.

Roxaboxen Festival

Roxaboxen Festival

Saturday, February 20th, 10:00am - 2:00pm
at Roxaboxen Park, located at 8th Street and 2nd Avenue

The festival celebrates the wonderful book of the same name by Alice McLarren. She writes about the joy of play and having fun in the outdoors using imagination.  This year, children will be building and decorating their own Roxaboxen town.  Cost is just $2 per child and that’s to cover some of the materials.  For more information, call 373-5202.

Want to know the history behind Roxaboxen?  Check out this great book!

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- This treasure of a story is about magic--the ordinary magic that every child understands: imagination. It is also a story about a treasured place: a child's imaginary town named Roxaboxen. The rules are simple: you make them up as you go along according to the whim of the day or the personality of the residents. In Roxaboxen, "Marian was mayor, of course; that was just the way she was. Nobody minded." The rules don't even have to be consistent--as long as they make sense. Speeding was not allowed by car but "ah, if you had a horse, you could go as fast as the wind . . . All you needed for a horse was a stick and some kind of bridle." With a true child's voice, McLerran uses just the right phrase or word to make the town and its residents spring clearly off the page. Cooney's brightly colored illustrations done in her classic and recognizable style etch the town and its inhabitants indelibly on the page as well as in the mind's eye. Her soft, personable little figures give the town and its story just the right feeling. This book celebrates how children and their imaginations make fanciful things become magically real and make them last forever. Don't miss it. --Jane Marino, White Plains Pub. Lib., NY

Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

United Way Music Festival at West Wetlands Park

16th Annual Music Fest at the West Wetlands Park
March 20, 2010

12:00pm - 6:00pm

The 16th Annual United Way Music Festival will include live entertainment, food and drink, sunny skies and a good time for all! Bring your blankets and have a seat on the lawn to enjoy great music, fabulous food, and fun children's activities all while supporting the community. The event includes performances by local bands and youth performers. A variety of food will be available for purchase. Admission to the event is FREE.

Two Rivers Renaissance Faire - THIS WEEKEND!

Two Rivers Renaissance Faire

Friday, February 5th: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Saturday, February 6th: 10:00am - 6:00pm

Sunday, February 7th: 10:00am - 4:00pm

at West Wetlands Park

Come enjoy the sights and sounds of a 16th century marketplace and village faire.  Experience swordsmen, hagglers, minstrels, belly dancers, magicians, and more!

Ticket Prices:
Adults: $10 at the gate

Children (6-12): $5 at the gate
Military (active duty, spouse, and dependents): $5 (Must show ID at gate)
Children under 6: FREE

For discount tickets, click here.

Check out their website for more details and pictures of this fun, family friendly event.

Silver Spur Rodeo

The 2010 Silver Spur Rodeo will take place the 12th, 13th, and 14th of February at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. There will also be a rodeo parade the Saturday morning of the rodeo, starting at 16th Street and 4th Avenue running north and ending in downtown Yuma. After the rodeo, join the rodeo dances Friday and Saturday evenings at the Jaycee Clubhouse.

Feb 12, 2010 - Rodeo Performance, 1:00pm (Senior Citizen's Day)

Feb 13, 2010 - Rodeo Parade, 8:00am

Feb 13, 2010 - Rodeo Performances, 1:00pm & 7:00pm 

(WEAR PINK to show your support for breast cancer awareness)

Feb 14, 2009 - Rodeo Performance, 1:00pm (Military Appreciation Day)

Children 8 and under are free.  $12 per person at the gate or get $2 off by purchasing tickets in advance at Crazy L Feed & Track, Yuma Feed, Lerma's Feed, Parrish's Bar & Grill, or Boot Barn.  Military can purchase their tickets through ITT on base (located inside the new MCX with the Video Corner near the food court) for $8 each.  ITT is open from 9:00am - 8:00pm Monday - Saturday and open 12:00pm - 8:00pm on Sundays.  

Check the Yuma Jaycees website for more information.

Midnight at the Oasis - Classic Car Show

2010 Midnight at the Oasis

Friday, March 5th

Fun Run 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Cruise begins at 4:30pm

Family Night 4:00pm - 11:00pm

Concerts: Hook & Beatlemania

Saturday, March 6th

9:00am - 11:30am Fun Run

11:00am Pinewood Derby

Concerts: Night Ranger & America

Sunday, March 7th

9:00am - 1:00pm

Click here for the full schedule and price of admission.

These fun runs sound really fun!!

Entrants will travel throughout Yuma, stopping at landmarks and sponsors before returning to the Ray Kroc Complex. They will choose a card at each stop and it will be recorded by a Caballeros volunteer. The car that concludes the run with the best Poker hand will be declared the winner. First prize is a free guaranteed entry in the 2011 Midnight at the Oasis Festival and three raffle tickets for a custom classic 1957 Chevrolet. Second place receives three raffle tickets and third place receives two raffle tickets.

To view the cars as they cruise their way to Ray Kroc Complex, parking and viewing is available on both sides of the route on 4th Ave and County 14th St.  There is ample room to park and view on the east side of Ave. B and along the south side of 32nd St. between Ave. B and the canal.  To see the cruise map, click here.

Yuma River Daze Art & Craft Festival

Yuma River Daze Art & Craft Festival

Friday, February 12 from 10:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday, February 13 from 10:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday, February 14 from 10:00am - 3:00pm

Located downtown Yuma on Main St.  The three day festival celebrates the river and our historic sites.  Free to the public. Hundreds of vendors including arts/crafts, water displays, educational programs, live entertainment, and plenty of food. Join us after the Jaycees Rodeo parade. Enjoy free tours of the Yuma Territorial Prison, the Quartermaster Depot, Century House museum and Quechan Native American sites.

There will be a kid stage Saturday and Sunday with ongoing activities to include a fashion show, balloon man, and Zumba for kids.  For all there days of the festival, there will be rubber ducky races down a replica of the Colorado River on Main Street!  The booths, food court, live entertainment and boat displays will also make this a fun outing for kids. 

Check out this great flyer with more detail about the festival!  Click here.

"Just Dance " - JAMS Dance Studio performance & more

The talented dancers from JAMS Dance Studio will be dancing up a storm 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Historic Yuma Theatre as they present "Just Dance" - a high-energy, fun show featuring all styles of dance from jazz, tap, and ballet to modern, hip-hop, and lyrical. In addition to the JAMS dancers special guests will perform including the San Luis Snake Charmers, Yuma Ballet Theatre, and Arizona Classical Ballet. Tickets are $8 at the Yuma Art Center, 254 S. Main St., Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive, the Parks & Recreation office on the first floor of City Hall, and online at www.yumaaz.gov/events. For further information, call 373-5202.

2010 Scout Expo & 5K Fun Run / Walk

The 2010 Scout Expo will be at the Quarter Master Depot, January 30, 2010 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
This is a FREE event

Tri-tip lunch 11:00am - 1:00pm, tickets for lunch are $7 and includes tri-tip, beans, green salad and salsa

The Scout Expo 2010 is a showcase of Scouting put on by 7 to 20 year olds.  There will be activities to participate in at nearly every booth. 

In conjunction to the Expo, the Boy Scouts are hosting a 5K Fun Run & Walk. 

Registration begins at 8:00am, race begins and ends at the Quartermaster Depot. 

Cost is $12 per person and includes a t-shirt.

Recieve $1 off the tri-tip dinner with purchase of run/walk entry. 

Register online at www.grandcanyonbsa.org/ocotillo

Sponsored by the Ocotillo District of the Boy Scouts of America, Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, Venturing crews and Exploring posts.

Yuma is in the Ocotillo District which is part of the Grand Canyon Council.

To inquire about joining, click here.

Information about last years scout expo.

MCAS Yuma Air Show

Save the date, the MCCS Yuma Air Show is March 27, 2010!

Last year, the air show made the Guinness World Record for the longest firewall at 10,178.3 feet long!

This year, for the first time in 12 years, the MCAS Yuma Air Show will feature a Jet Team as the main performer. Other exciting supporting performances include: The first ever Acro-Race in the state of Arizona, a glimpse at the future of USMC Aviation via a F-35 Joint Striker display, and a unique race between the world’s fastest school bus and a historical military jet and dozens more civilian and military acts . In addition to the aerial performances, there will be over 70 historical aviation displays on the ground for an up close and personal experience.

Currently, the website has little information about the 2010 air show, so mark you calendars and stay tuned for more details!

12th Annual Lettuce Days Festival

Due to the recent rain and wind, the Lettuce Days Festival is moving all Friday activities to Monday.

"Everything that was scheduled Friday will be moved to Monday including the entertainment, ag tours, salad bar, and vendors. The downtown streets will be closed through Monday at 3pm."

Looking for something to do this weekend?  The 12th Annual Lettuce Days Festival takes place this weekend, Janurary 23-25 in Historic Downtown  Yuma.  The Lettuce Days website has a lot of information!  It's a great opportunity to explore downtown and teach your kids about all the crops grown in Yuma.  Check out the schedule for more information on the performers that will be on stage.  

**Last year, when we attended, they had bounce houses and other activities for children.  I remember that you had to buy tickets for the rides/activities and they weren't very cheap.....just be prepared.