Vacations Blog

Fall foliage

Contrary to the thermometer outside my window, which at this second is reading a balmy 108 degrees (September in Arizona – gotta love it!), the fall weather will soon be upon us. Nothing says fall to me more than the round of upcoming harvest fairs and festivals, scheduled for September through November.

The Arizona Expo and State Fair is being held from October 16th through November 8th (closed Mondays). Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and kids under five years old are free. Parking in all fair lots is $10. The fairgrounds are located at 26 W. McDowell Road in Phoenix, just off of I-10. This year’s concert series includes Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Lady Antebellum, The Black Crowes, David Cook, and Kelly Clarkson. The fair is entering its 64th consecutive year and features the traditional round of carnival rides, fried foods, craft and livestock displays and contests, and rodeo events.

Pumpkins

The 60th annual Coconino County Fair is scheduled for September 4-7 at the Coconino County Fairgrounds in Flagstaff (Exit 337 off I-17). Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children 5-12, and children under five are free. A Family Pass (up to five people) costs $17 if you pay in advance, or $25 at the gate. A full compliment of exhibits, demonstrations, livestock shows, carnival rides, live entertainment and vendors will be featured.

The 84th annual White Mountain Apache Tribal Fair and Rodeo kicks off on September 2nd and runs through September 7th. This fair features an all-Indian rodeo, fry bread contest, Native American arts and crafts, fireworks, car shows, live music, a parade, and carnival rides. Whiteriver is located about 3.5 hours from Phoenix, in eastern Arizona, off of US-60/77 – turn right at the AZ-73 exit.

Sunset at the fair

The Cochise County Fair is celebrating “85 years of Critters, Crafts & Competitions”. It’s being held from September 24th through 27th in Douglas, right on the Arizona/Mexico border (about 2.5 hours from Tucson). This year’s schedule of events includes stock showmanship, horse shows, magician performances, 4H/FFA demonstrations and contests, rodeos, and live music.

For a full schedule of Arizona fall festivals and fairs, visit the event listings on Arizona Guide.

Photo credits (in order of appearance):
- “Fall Sampler” by Micky on Flickr.
- “Pumpkins” by the girl on Flickr.
- “Sunset at the fair” by busy mommy on Flickr.