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.

Fourth of July in The Valley of the Sun

Fourth of July in The Valley of the Sun

The Fourth of July is upon us and once again a great time to commemorate our national day of Independence. Celebrating the Fourth of July is one of the best parts of a summer. The holiday, as we know it, goes hand in hand with fireworks, barbeques, parades picnics and never ending fun. Spending your Fourth of July in the Valley of the Sun, you'll get to join the fun and festivities of the day.

One major reason why we celebrate the Fourth of July is because it's the Independence Day: a holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

The Continental Congress appointed a committee of five men to work on a draft of the declaration known today as The Committee of Five. The committee consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. Thomas Jefferson was delegated by the committee to singularly write the Declaration, although Adams and Benjamin Franklin made many revisions before it was finally submitted to Congress on June 28, 1776.

On July 8, 1776, the Liberty Bell sounded from the tower of Independence Hall summoning citizens to gather for the public reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel John Nixon.

Here are some fun facts about the Fourth of July:

• Fourth of July has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941. It is one of the very few holidays that have not been moved to the nearest Monday or Friday.

• Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national animal, however, was outvoted when John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chose the bald eagle.

• The very first Fourth of July party was held at the White House in 1801.

• Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day on July 4, 1826.

• Bristol, Rhode Island has the oldest, continuous Fourth of July Celebration dating back to 1785.

• The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies.

Have you ever wondered why fireworks are always present during the Fourth? Fireworks have been used for some time even during the American Revolution. In a famous letter John Adams wrote to his wife, he states how the holiday deserves to be celebrated with “illuminations” or fireworks. Nowadays, from the fireworks, the succeeding generations solemnized the celebration with merrymaking, and thus, a big celebration.

In the Valley of the Sun, there are various Fourth of July events for you and for family. Come take a look at some of these events.

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  Independence Day Music Festival

July 4, 2013 - Celebrate the Fourth at Salt River Fields! Music Festival featuring country music superstar Brantley Gilbert and the largest firework show in the valley.

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  4th of Zoo-ly at the Phoenix Zoo

 July 4, 2013 - Several activities will be happening in the Phoenix Zoo such as All American BBQ dinner at Lakeside lawn, Endangered Species Carousel, beer and wine and much more.

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  A Star Spangled Shoot Out!

July 4, 2013 - Celebrate your Independence Day in a Western Style at Rawhide. This is a party you're looking for as we've got you covered with cowboys, gunfights, foods, family and fireworks.

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  3rd Annual Fourth of July Freedom Fest

July 4 – 7, 2013 - Celebrate in a star-spangled style as the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is unfurling its third annual “Fourth of July Freedom Fest” - a four day event with concerts, fireworks, and poolside fun.

So let's go ahead and have some fun on the Fourth of July in the Valley of the Sun. Let us all have a meaningful celebration in the presence of our friends and families showing patriotism and thankfulness for the wonderful gift of independence. Happy Fourth of July!

Fourth of July in The Valley of the Sun

For more information, please visit our website.