24 FEBRUARY 2024 By Jennifer Marshall On June 25, 1951, the City of Scottsdale adopted the motto “The West’s Most Western Town.” During that same year, the Sunshine Festival was created – the precursor to today’s Parada Del Sol, which is celebrating a big milestone: 70 years as one of the longest-running events in the city. “The event celebrates the city’s Western, Native American and cowboy heritage,” Media Exec Susie Timm said. “The Scottsdale Parada and Trail’s End Festival features approximately 150 entries of colorful floats, mounted horse riders, horse- drawn carriages, school marching bands, wagons and stagecoaches representing many cultures from Mexican to Native American to Arabian to Western.” This year’s theme is “70 Years and Still Groovin’, the Western Cool Vibe.” Resident and local celebrity Barry Goldwater, Jr. will be the Grand Marshal. Paying homage to seven decades, the festival will celebrate 70’s style with the annual block party. “It was started by a core group of community volunteers,” Timm said. “The parade itself is planned and coordinated by the Parada Del Sol Committee, which is made up of volunteers dedicated to creating a safe, fun and vibrant event year after year.” For the Trail’s End Festival, Scottsdale’s historic Old Town district will be transformed into a massive family-friendly festival featuring activities for kids, food trucks, beverages, merchandise, arts and crafts booths and multiple stages with live entertainment. Concerts from Western Fusion, Chad Freeman and Redline, The Pickup Lines, and The Chadwicks will keep those good vibes going. Basketball-loving attendees have something special to look forward to this year, as the 2024 Phoenix Men’s Final Four Fan Jam will be in attendance. “The Fan Jam tour builds excitement for the coming Men’s Final Four, set to take place April 6 and April 8 at State Farm Stadium,” Timm said. This all-ages mobile event will bring basketball-themed games and activities to the Parada and Trail’s End Festival. The parade begins at 10 a.m. on February 3, followed by the festival at noon. scottsdaleparade.com Seven decades of community, sunshine and fun When: Thursday, February 1, from 6:30-9 p.m. Where: Scottsdale Arts District Stroll through the Scottsdale Arts District while enjoying authentic Western entertainment and Western-themed exhibitions at participating galleries. When: Thursday, February 1, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West/Virginia G. Piper Theater Scottsdale Community Historian Joan Fudala will hold a presentation including a photo-rich history of the Parada from its origins to date. When: Friday, February 2, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West Celebrate the arrival of the Hashknife Pony Express, the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world, which delivers more than 20,000 pieces of U.S. Mail to the steps of Scottsdale’s Museum of the West. Enjoy live music, dancers, Native American hoop dancers and royalty, kids’ activities and food trucks. When: Saturday, February 3, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Drinkwater Blvd. along Scottsdale Road Presented by Oliver Smith Jeweler, the 70th annual Scottsdale Parada Del Sol Parade and Trail’s End Festival celebrates the city’s Wild West roots. The parade goes until noon, when the city is transformed into a block party with a kid’s zone, food trucks, vendors and multiple stages with live entertainment. When: Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Scottsdale Civic Center The Arizona American Indian Tourism Association, in partnership with Arizona’s Native American tribes, hosts this annual event. Guests can explore examples of traditional Indian villages and dwellings, arts and crafts, demonstrations, native food vendors and mainstage entertainment. The theme of this year’s Parada del Sol is “70 Years and Still Groovin’, the Western Cool Vibe.” PHOTOS: KEVIN CHAMBERLAIN Events subject to change. Visit scottsdaleparade.com for details.
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