Save the date for this unique annual event! Trunk or Treat provides a safe environment for families to enjoy an inexpensive evening of Halloween fun in a festival atmosphere! Children trick-or-treat by going from car trunk to car trunk on “Trunk or Treat Street” to get their bag filled with goodies. Individuals or groups sign up to host and decorate a trunk, and the Town provides all the candy to be given out at the event. Admission is free.

Ghouls, goblins and ghosts of all ages will enjoy a festival of activities. So come out and join us for some ghoulish games, frightening food and freaky fun.

Celebrate Halloween in El Mirage by attending the City’s annual Halloween Harvest Festival on Friday, October 21, 2016 from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. at El Mirage Gentry Park, 14010 North El Mirage Road.  Admission and parking is free.  Some of the highlights of this year’s event include a pumpkin patch with free pumpkins for the first 500 families, horse and tractor drawn hayrides, a magic juggling show, a GIANT corn maze and costume contests for every age group.  An awesome Kid’s Zone will feature bouncy houses, face painting, music, and a variety of food offerings.  The Children’s Museum of Phoenix will be hosting the arts and crafts tent where children can make Pirate Hats and Halloween Skulls, all free! The El Mirage Community Market will also be onsite with vendors selling produce, crafts, and homemade items.

“I want to encourage families to come out and have a good time at our annual Halloween Harvest Festival,” said Mayor Lana Mook. “I would like to thank our sponsors who helped make this event possible.”

Costume Contests Age Group Times:

6:30 p.m. – 0-2 years old

7:00 p.m. – 3-5 years old

7:30 p.m. – 6-10 years old

8:00 p.m. – 11-15 years old

8:30 p.m. – 16 and older

The event is sponsored by APS, Park’s and Son’s, Walmart of El Mirage, Coco’s Towing, Andersen Renewable Windows, and the City of El Mirage.

Relive the Nostalgia of Billy Moore Days with Contests & Competition

As part of the history of Billy Moore Days, fun competitions and contests were always a festive tradition.  Contests of past included cotton bale rolling, donkey and lawn mower races, mustache and beard growing competitions, and local beauties could compete for the coveted title of ‘Miss Billy Moore Days’.  To keep up with the tradition and bring back some of that nostalgic appeal, the event in 2016 will play host to some friendly competition. Participants can compete for the title of best ‘Yee Haw’ holler; kids are invited to take part in the Little Buckaroo/Buckarette Contest; softball and basketball teams can compete for a trophy.

Little Buckaroo/Buckarette Contest

Let your kids show off their best western attire as they compete for the title of Little Buckaroo and Buckarette. Kids, ages 10 and under, are invited to come on stage in western get-up. Prizes and title will be awarded, and winners will get to ride in the Billy Moore Days Parade on a special float.  This contest will take place Friday, October 21 at 5:45 p.m. on the Main Stage located on Western and 6th Street. Entries must check in by 5:30 p.m. to participate in the contest. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the winners. There will be one Buckaroo and one Buckarette winner for a grand prize award of a Party Rental Package (valued at $245) from A to Z Party & Event Rentals. Parents are strongly encouraged to register for the contest ahead of time, prior to the event;  http://www.billymooredays.com

Yee Haw Hollering Contest

Have you been told more than once to use your “inside voice?” Anyone with hollering skills can participate in the first ever Billy Moore Days Yee Haw Hollerin’ Contest.  It’s easy to participate—simply step up on stage and give your best rendition of ‘YEE HAW’!  The contest will take place Saturday, October 22 at 12pm in Serenas Plaza, located next to Sam Garcia Library on Western and 5th Street. Entries must check in by 11:45 am to participate in the contest.

Billy Moore Days Co-ed Softball Tournament

A co-ed ‘Wild West’ Softball Tournament for adults will be hosted Saturday, October 22 at Festival Fields Park located at 101 E. Lower Buckeye Road in Avondale.  Get your team together, and gear them up in western wear (there will be a prize for best team costume). Each inning will have a different crazy rule such as running bases backwards, lasso carry, hitting off a tee, etc.  This is a one day tournament with two games guaranteed. Fee to participate is $175 per team.  Register for the tournament at: www.avondale.org/playnow   using code #7682.  Pre-registration deadline is Monday, October 17.

Billy Moore Days Basketball Tournament

Come shoot some hoops in a 12 team double elimination basketball tournament, Saturday October 22 at the Boys & Girls Club Tri-City West Thornwood Branch located at 301 E Western Avenue in Avondale.  Tournament options are for youth ages 9-14 years and young adults 16-24 years.  Fee to participate is $20 for youth teams, $40 for young adult teams.  Stop by the Boys & Girls Club to register, or reserve your team spot by calling 623-932-1154.  Pre-registration deadline is Wednesday, October 19.

Most of the Billy Moore Days festivities will take place October 21 – 23 in the heart of Historic Avondale, on Western Avenue .  No cost to attend.  Location: Historic Avondale – 495 E Western Ave Avondale AZ 85323.  For more information and to get involved, visit http://www.billymooredays.com , or call City of Avondale at 623-333-2400.   Follow the event festivities and information on Facebook.

Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer, Tempe History Museum and Tempe Public Library have amazing free activities for your kids featuring music, arts and crafts, children’s authors and entertainers. There are even a few special Mondays and Saturdays, too!

Music from Around the World Is Also From Your Hometown Sounds of Summer – Tempe History Museum Sounds of Summer at Tempe History Museum is an extension of the Tempe Sound exhibition, which features Tempe musical groups throughout the last century. From 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on most Wednesdays and some Saturdays, kids can play drums and other instruments, do crafts and watch shows featuring many local performing groups, such as Mariachi Corazon, Jam Pak Bluegrass, School of Rock’s Sugar Skulls, African drums with Keith Johnson and more. The first Sounds of Summer happens Wednesday, June 10. There is no admission to the Tempe History Museum.  Get the schedule.

Kids can have fun and learn about Sonoran Desert ecology at Glendale libraries this June and July. The Great Arizona Puppet Theater will present a free puppet show, “Hotel Saguaro,” at the Foothills Branch Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave., on June 15 at 2 p.m. and at the Glendale Main Library, 5959 W. Brown St., on July 29 at 3 p.m.

“Hotel Saguaro” is sponsored by the Glendale Water Services Department – Conservation and Sustainable Living Division. The show is funded by the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund.

This award-winning puppet show features Sammy Saguaro, his wise Grandpa, and all the desert animals that call the saguaro their home. Audiences will discover how the saguaro supports a diversity of Sonoran Desert wildlife by providing food and shelter. An entertaining and educational post-show discussion is included.

The 45-minute play is recommended for kindergarten to third grade students and families. No registration is required. For more information, call 623-930-3550.

When the Town of Queen Creek was first incorporated on September 5, 1989, it was an area with rich rural roots. 25 years later, those rural roots helped Queen Creek turn into one of the most innovative and family friendly home towns in Arizona. And now it’s time to celebrate!

2014 marks the 25^th anniversary of the Town of Queen Creek! The town will host a Founders’ Day event on September 26 to commemorate Queen Creek’s 25 years as an incorporated town.

To help celebrate this exciting time, residents are encouraged to submit photos to the town. These photos may be used for a booklet cataloging the celebration or may be used at other anniversary celebrations or within the town’s social media.

All photos may be submitted here: photo submission.

Queen Creek has been celebrating its 25^th year with special events, fun contests, one-of-a-kind Queen Creek keepsakes and grand openings of new amenities. The town has opened the Communiversity, Pocket Park for Pups and Spash Pad! The town will also break ground this year on a new Harkins Theater and begin to renovate many of its streets and town infrastructure to make its community an even better place to live.

It’s been a great anniversary year for Queen Creek so far, we can’t wait for the fun activities to continue!