Hello Spring
In Desert Ridge, we have many lifestyles that are attracted, supported and influenced by the incredible resources of our community. Sometimes, in our busy lives, we move so quickly that we tend to overlook the treasures that surround us, or simply don’t get the time to discover them. We’d like to share some of our personal favorites here in Desert Ridge and the surrounding community.
Go to www.visitphoenix.com for more detailed information and upcoming events.
Phoenix Film Festival
April 4–14
• Recurring daily, time varies
• phoenixfilmfestival.com/
• Harkins Scottsdale/101 Theatre
7000 E. Mayo Blvd., Phoenix
The Phoenix Film Festival will screen more than 175 feature films and shorts. Attendees will be a part of screenings; Q&A sessions with producers, director and talent; enjoy world-class entertainment; an impressive silent auction and more.
The Festival takes place all in one convenient location at the Harkins Scottsdale/101. All parties and workshops are held right on site, so you don’t miss a thing.
Scottsdale Culinary Festival
April 13–14
• Sat. 12–9 p.m., Sun. 12–6 p.m.
• scottsdalefest.org
• Scottsdale Civic Center Mall
7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale
The annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival serves up eatertainment for all tastes at this fundraising festival featuring live music on three stages, a grand tasting tour of 35 restaurants and food exhibitors representing food from around the world, and sampling of wines, beers, spirits and cocktail creations during this year’s travel-themed event.
Three stages of live music all weekend.
Derby DayClub
May 4
• 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• thepoloparty.com/derby-dayclub/
• Turf Paradise
1501 W Bell Rd, Phoenix
The Bulleit Bourbon Derby DayClub, Arizona’s only Kentucky Derby party with live racing and betting, debuts May 4 at Turf Paradise. Enjoy the racing action in the exclusive track-side polo party-like tents with track-side betting terminals, renowned Fried & Fizzy food truck, and a no-host bar. Doors open at 10:30am with live racing starting at 11:30am. Tables start at $1000 and include a complimentary bottle of Champagne. General admission DayClub tickets start at $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival
May 5
• Noon until 10 p.m.
• cincophx.com
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival was established in 1994 in Downtown Phoenix and is the longest running annual event with over 3 million attendees total. Cinco Phoenix has been featured in several national publications as the top Cinco de Mayo celebration in the US and is produced by Arvizu Advertising & Promotions.
Rolling Stones
May 7
• 7:30 p.m.
• statefarmstadium.com/events/detail/the-rolling-stones-no-filter-tour
• State Farm Stadium
1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale
PHX Field Day
May 18
• Margaret T. Hence Park
67 W. Culver Street, Phoenix, AZ
• phxfieldday.com/
PHX Field Day is a throwback to grade school, built with adults in mind. Join hundreds of young professionals on Saturday, May 18th, 2019 to relive your favorite day of elementary school… at a whole new level
Phoenix Fan Fusion
May 23-26
• 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• phoenixfanfusion.com/
• Phoenix Convention Center
100 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ
Cosplay and costuming are central to most comic conventions and Phoenix Fan Fusion welcomes cosplayers of all kinds. From novice to expert to professional, costumes are a big part of our shows.
See The Wildflowers in Phoenix
Put on your hiking shoes and get ready for a beautiful display of color from the desert this spring. Here are the best places in Phoenix to see the desert wildflowers.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Gateway Trailhead offers access to wildflower sightings on Horseshoe Loop and Gateway Trail Loop. Poppies are also plentiful along Lost Dog Wash trail in the preserve’s southern section. Trek the Taliesin Overlook off of the main trail for blooms and a scenic view.
GATEWAY TRAILHEAD
18333 N. Thompson Peak Pkwy., Scottsdale
LOST DOG WASH TRAILHEAD
12601 N. 124th St., Scottsdale
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve
Find yellow brittlebush, red-orange globemallow, marigold and more along Apache Wash Trailhead. Also check the north-facing slopes on trails from the Desert Vista Trail parking area, including areas along the Desert Tortoise and Verde trails, both accessible from the trailhead parking area.
APACHE WASH TRAILHEAD
1600 E. Sonoran Desert Dr., Phoenix
DESERT VISTA TRAILHEAD
W. Desert Vista Trail, Phoenix
Piestewa Peak & Dreamy Draw Recreation Area
Several trails with north-facing slopes around Piestewa Peak accessible from the Phoenix Mountains Preserve are good spots for wildflower viewing. In Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, hillsides and washes surrounding Trail 100 often are covered in a wide variety of wildflower blooms.
PIESTEWA PEAK
Northeast corner, 32nd St. and Lincoln Dr., Phoenix
DREAMY DRAW RECREATION AREA
2421 E. Northern Ave., Phoenix
Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
You can’t go wrong on a wildflower hunt in Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, which boasts a huge diversity of blooms. Look in particular along the western end of the Spur Cross Trail and, if you are up for a challenge, the southern part of the Elephant Mountain loop.
SPUR CROSS TRAILHEAD
N. Spur Cross Rd., Cave Creek
