2013 Halloween Events in Valley of the Sun that are not to be Missed

2013 Halloween Events in Valley of the Sun that are not to be Missed[/caption]

Fall has arrived in Arizona signaled by cooler temperatures and the thought of Halloween is just around the corner! What a great time to enjoy the outdoors and find the right pumpkin for Halloween.

Here are just a few of the 2013 Halloween Events in Valley of the Sun that are not to be missed and are worth experiencing:

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  The Great Pumpkin Festival

Located at the new Events Plaza and Pumpkin Patch at the Desert Botanical Gardens located at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix, this event takes place October 17^th through October 20^th and you can check the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden web site for hours. This annual festival offers a petting zoo, a hayride to the pumpkin patch to select a pumpkin (for children 12 and under), a Hay Bale Maze, craft activities, carnival games, and live music. Admission for non-members and children under 3 are free!

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  Salt River Fields Balloon “Spooktacular”

Salt River Fields, located at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino at 7555 N Pima Road in Scottsdale, is hosting their Second Annual Balloon “Spooktacular on Friday, October 25^th and Saturday, October 26^th from 5:00PM to 10:00PM.

This is an event that will be enjoyed by all and offers something to suit all tastes! This event will include over 20 hot air balloons that will be on display. For those with a sweet-tooth, there will be plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters, live musical entertainment, and plenty of food and drink. If you are looking for a good “scare”, there will be a haunted house and a festive display of fireworks!

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  17^th Annual Pumpkins at the Peak

On October 25^th, 2013 from 5PM to 7PM, the Pointe Hilton at Squaw Peak Resort located at 7677 N 16^th Street in Phoenix will hold their Halloween celebration at the River Ranch area of the resort. Craft booths, fortune telling, face painting, and Halloween treats are just some of the activities planned for this event. Attendees are encouraged to wear a costume and can gain admission by bringing two cans of food or $5 per person to benefit the local St Mary’s Food Bank.

For more information, please visit our website.

Fall in Love with the Season – Fall Cleaning Tips

Fall in Love with the Season – Fall Cleaning Tips

Fall is a favorite season for many of us. Who can resist the beauty of the orange glow of pumpkins, the falling leaves and the much anticipated cool weather?

Fall means the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays and delightful nights in front of the fireplace with your family.

The change of a season is a wonderful opportunity to launch a major house cleaning. It is a great time to brush away the remnants of summer and prepare the home for that cozy and homey feel.

Here are the few fall season cleaning ideas to follow now that the new season is upon us.

• Wash the windows – Wash and brighten the window so light can get in as much as possible giving your home a magical look. Leaves are falling everywhere so make sure that the windows are clean to watch the show.

• Freshen the carpet – This is the best time to clean your carpets as you will be staying indoors most of the time snuggling in front of the fireplace. Get your carpets professionally cleaned or a good sweep from a vacuum will do.

• Change or clean the window treatments – It's time to either clean or take down your curtains as they may have been pulled back during summer and may be looking a bit dingy and dusty. If you decide to replace curtains; match the tones and colors for a more elegant look appropriate for fall.

• Clean Chimneys – A chimney sweep will ensure that the chimney is free from any soot and residue that are built up on the chimney walls.

• Dust ceilings and walls – it's a good time to banish summer dust build-up. Clean from top to bottom. There are the obvious places for dust, like TV screens and lampshades. Dust also accumulates at the tops of bookshelves, wall hangings, air vents and ceiling fans.

• Clean patio and clean furniture inside – If you live in a cold climate, store your outdoor furniture in the garage or shed to prevent winter weather damage.

• Clean the kitchen – Prepare the kitchen for holiday cooking. Clean and organize cabinets that hold baking supplies and pans. Replace and restock your pantry as there will be plenty of cooking and baking ahead.

• Check gutters and downspouts - Clear of debris if necessary. In cold-weather areas, consider installing heating cable to prevent ice dams. This is never fun but this is the best time of the year to clean out gutters.


• Organize and bring out the season's decorations – Whether it is Halloween or Thanksgiving decorations, it is better to organize and unclutter the storage and start decorating your home for a cozy feel.

What feels better than freshening up the house after the hot summer and give it a more refreshing start. As summer is almost over, everyone is looking forward to crisp mornings, cool weather and the leaves turning into beautiful autumn colors!

For more information, please visit our website.