August 28, 2008

Labor Day Weekend in Flagstaff!

Ann’s Picks for a Fun Weekend in Flagstaff

Come to the 59th Coconino County Fair to enjoy traditional county-fair fare from corn dogs to cotton candy, from carnival rides to fine art displays. Featuring livestock competitions and 4-H auctions. Music by local, regional, and national headliners. You’ll find politics in full-swing at the special-themed booth areas and vendors of all kinds.

The County fair kicks off Friday and runs through Monday at Ft. Tuthill County Park. Exit 337, off I-17. Admission prices range from $4-8, with children under five free. For a full schedule of Coconino County Fair events, click here.

If you want the art without the livestock and carnival rides, here are two options for the Labor Day weekend in Flagstaff:

Prelude Exhibition, Coconino Center for the Arts. The finest artwork from northern Arizona artists is showcased in this annual exhibition. All artists will participate in the Open Studios tour in late September. This exhibit is open 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Tuesdays-Saturdays).

Flagstaff Art in the Park, Wheeler Park, that is, on Aspen Avenue at the west end of downtown Flagstaff. Free! Tightly juried arts and crafts festival featuring artwork designed and shown by the exhibitor. Free live music, food vendors, and children’s activities. 9a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, and continuing Monday until 4 p.m.

Sunday, the Arboretum continues its Summer Concert Series – “Americana and The Great Beyond” with Greg Reiter & Puerta del Sol.. Enjoy an evening of music outdoors in the gardens under the cool pines with a view of the San Francisco Peaks. 5:30-7 p.m. Call for prices, 928-774-1442, or visit www.thearb.org.

Monday afternoon, take a break from the County Fair and walk over to Pine Mountain Amphitheatre at Ft. Tuthill for an afternoon under the pines listening to a free classical concert by the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra. From 1- 3 p.m.

For you athletic fans, NAU Volleyball opens the season at home Friday and Saturday nights. Visit NAU’s Athletic Events webpage for details on this and other Northern Arizona University games.

As you enjoy what is billed to be another beautiful weekend of weather in Flagstaff – whether with these events or enjoying the great trails that surround us – take a moment to reflect on the meaning of Labor Day Weekend and the workers that have made America great!