Tempe Conventions & Visitors Bureau

March could possibly be the best time to visit Tempe. The sunshine is plentiful, there are fun special events throughout the month and of course, it’s time for Cactus League Spring Training.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim call Tempe Diablo Stadium home from March 4 through April 1. The Cactus League season, which includes 15 teams, officially begins on March 3 and ends on April 3. There will more than 200 games played in Arizona during the season. The Angels will face opponents such as the Cubs, the Giants, the Dodgers, the Brewers and for the first time this year, the Cincinnati Reds.

Tickets at Tempe Diablo Stadium start at just $6. All of the information that you need to plan a day at the ballpark or a trip to Arizona for baseball fun can be found at www.stayintempe.com, including complete game schedules, ticket information, hotel specials and more.

In closing, I’d love to know…what’s your favorite thing about spring training?

I’ve never been a runner, even when I was a kid. I do enjoy walking, but I don’t have the right stuff for marathon walking. However, I do love the P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon because participating as a spectator is so much fun at this one. It’s the event where music hits the pavement along with runners and spectators from all over the world. And, it’s definitely not only for the runners. It is just as exciting for spectators like me who line the streets from the starting point at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza in Phoenix, through Scottsdale right to the end in Tempe. It’s electrifying being there to cheer for friends, family and elite racers and energizing just listening to all the great music provided by bands every mile along the marathon routes. With more than 60 bands playing reggae, rock, country, rhythm and blues and jazz, there’s plenty of toe tapping and dancing along both courses. It all culminates in a big free post race concert. This year Everclear will perform at Sun Angel Stadium at Arizona State University. The band will perform two sets, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The marathons take place this Sunday, January 17; but, everyone can get into the spirit of the race ahead of time by attending the Health and Fitness Expo on January 15-16 at the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 130 exhibitors will be on hand with athletic clothing and gear, official race merchandise, souvenirs and food. There’s even tourism information for visitors who are not familiar with our area in booths hosted by the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

The P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon is just plain fun. When so many people are suffering through a brutally harsh winter, it’s great to be in this part of the world soaking up the sun and enjoying this fantastic frenzy of runners, fans and bands. Will you be there as a spectator, or as a participant in the race?

For more information on Tempe events, visit www.ExploreTempe.com and http://www.tempescene.com/.

The P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & 1/2 Marathon takes place on the morning of January 17, just under two weeks away! That means just two weeks left of training until the big day! This will be my first time running the 1/2 marathon - 13.1 miles. Maybe someday I will try the full 26.2 mile marathon, but it may be only in my dreams!

Marathon runners begin their race at 7:40 a.m., while 1/2 marathon runners like myself start at 8:30 a.m. The excitement starts early for runners while they enjoy coffee, fruit and more at the Start Line Village before the race. Once the race begins, so does the non-stop entertainment! A variety of different bands line the course to keep the energy going. This race is not just fun for the runners, but also for the many spectators that come to watch their family members and friends compete.

Once the race is over, the runners and spectators can keep the fun going at the post-race headliner concert featuring Everclear! I will be excited for the final concert since at that point I will know that I have made it, and completed the 1/2 marathon! This year’s headliner concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Sun Angel Stadium, immediately following the race. The concert is free and open to the public so make sure to invite your friends!

If you plan to have friends or family meet you at the finish line make sure to check out the road closure information for race day too. It can be tricky getting around that day!

I’m super excited about my first 1/2 marathon – hopefully I make it to the finish line either running or walking – not crawling! Is anyone else running the marathon or 1/2 marathon? If so, I’d love to hear any tips you have for a first-timer!

I have to say that I feel very fortunate to have traveled to some pretty amazing sites beyond our borders.  Ancient ruins, beautiful scenery and cultural experiences are all on my list of must sees.  But I must admit that I take my home state for granted.  I have to remind myself that people from all over the world dream of coming to the Southwest.  I went hiking in the Superstition Mountains this past Sunday. It was not a hard hike, but exhausting because I have not been out on the trails for a while!  We hiked and talked and laughed and I did not really pay attention to where I was until we reached an amazing valley.  It was filled with Saguaro, craggy cliffs, green desert flora and peace and quiet.  It was relaxing and exhilarating.  At that moment I was reminded that the Sonoran Desert is a unique environment filled with beauty that people from far away only dream about visiting someday.  But for me, it is in my own backyard. 

The holiday season in this part of the world really is the most wonderful time.  We are blessed with the weather to celebrate, which inspires some of the most elaborate outdoor holiday decorating frenzies anywhere.  Climbing around on the roof, ala Clark Griswold, installing lights isn’t half bad when it’s a splendid, sunny seventy something degrees. The balmy temperatures and lack of precipitation result in creative displays and throngs of spectators who comb the neighborhoods nightly in search of their favorite displays.  

We are also blessed with local holiday traditions that keep us in a festive mood.  One of my favorites is the 41^st Annual Tempe Festival of the Arts.  It’s coming up next weekend, December 4-6.  For three days, The Mill Avenue District  is closed to traffic to accommodate the booths of 400 artists and craftspeople.  There’s also live music, street performers, a wine festival and a Kids Innovation Station where the kiddos can create their own beautiful works.  While the Midwesterners and East Coast folks are bundled up against the elements doing their holiday shopping, I’ll be doing mine in capris, shirtsleeves and sandals at the Tempe Festival of the Arts. 

There’s always great theater for families throughout the holidays and this year is no exception. All you fans of the Junie B. Jones books will love Childplay’s production of Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells at the Tempe Center for the Arts now through December 27.   

Remember stalwart and lovable Ingalls:  Ma, Pa, Laura and Mary from Little House on the Prairie? Or how about the irritating Nellie Olson and Harriet, her equally annoying mother? They’ll be singing and dancing they’re way back our hearts in Little House on the Prairie, the Musical at ASU Gammage, December 8-13. And Leapin’ lizards, you and the kids can leap into the New Year with that other family favorite, Annie, which returns to ASU Gammage December 29-January 3. 

I’m lucky to live in Tempe, where the winters are calm, the livin’ is easy and the holidays really are warm and relaxed.  I would love to hear about your Tempe holiday favorites too.  

For some of the Ford Ironman Arizona athletes this is what they are made for and are in it to win, for others just finishing is a fete in and of itself. The mental and physical journey the Ford Ironman takes each athlete though just emanates off of them, both before and after the race.  It is a personal undertaking to prove to themselves what they are made of and that they truely can do whatever they set their minds to.

I know to the average person, myself included, think what these athletes do is almost unimaginable. After these athletes cross the finish line of the Ironman, they might also realize that they have just accomplished something they never thought imaginable. If you would like to do the unimaginable and participate in a future Ironman race go to http://www.ironmanarizona.com/ and check out some of the amazing athletes that have won past races.

I have been a volunteer at the Ford Ironman for the last two years and this event never ceases to amaze me. The dedicated athletes that train year round for this event are some of the nicest people you will meet from all around the world. Even after daunting mental and physical tasks of swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 24.6 miles, they were so absolutely appreciative for what we (the volunteers) were doing, I was truly amazed and inspired by the people I met.  Experiencing the energy of this event and being a part of it, though I was not as a participant but a volunteer, it is truly awe  inspiring. The last two years that I have volunteered at this event I almost been brought to tears by these athletes and what thy are able to do. It really makes you put things into perspective, if they can do this then….. well, whatever it is that you or I want to do, but don’t think we can in that moment and even after, really seems possible. If you would like to volunteer at this years Ford Ironman race fill out this form https://www.ironmancenter.com/volunteer/imarz/index.php on the website.

If you have been around Tempe in the last few weeks you have probably seen the signs posted in regards to traffic restrictions for the Ford Ironman this weekend. For more information on the traffic restrictions you can go to http://www.ironmanarizona.com/index.php and under Race Essentials there is a list of roads that will be closed all day Saturday November 22,2009.

Is there anything finer than experiencing the first truly balmy October twilight that finally comes on the heels of so many sweltering summer nights? It happened to me last Thursday when a bunch of us met after work at the first Spiked event of the season at the Desert Botanical Garden.   The cool temps enjoyed in the gorgeous surroundings of the Desert Botanical Gardens would have been plenty for me.   But, my ticket to Spiked included delicious hors d’oeuvres and great live music, a blend of rock, jazz and funk.   The cash bar offered a nice variety of beverages including a tasty specialty cocktail inspired by the flavors of autumn.  I’m looking forward to more of these magical Thursday evenings, which will be repeated every Thursday through November 5.   

Tempe Bicycle Action Group is hosting a FREE bicycle valet (think coat check for bicycles) at this year’s Oktoberfest on Oct 2nd – 4th. The valet hours are the same as the event with an additional 30 minutes to pick up your bicycle after festival gates close. 5pm – Midnight on Friday, Oct 2nd, 10am – Midnight on Saturday, Oct 3rd, and 10am – 6pm on Sunday, Oct 4th. The bike valet is located directly to the left of the main park entrance arch off of Mill Ave & Rio Salado. Enjoy the festival while we keep your bike secured in a completely fenced off supervised area. Bicyclists are encouraged to bring a lock in case we reach capacity. Any bikes that go unclaimed after the valet closes will be removed from the park, securely stored for the night and will incur a $3 storage fee (per night).

The weather forecast for this weekend says perfect biking weather, high 80’s during the day and cooling down to the mid 60’s at night. If you haven’t ridden your bike in awhile, now’s the time to get the tires inflated and take ‘er for a quick test ride!

Yes, you can bring your bikes on the light rail trains, so if you’re too far to bike the entire distance, just bike to your local light rail stop and get off at 3rd and Mill just south of Tempe Beach Park.

And don’t forget, the following weekend, October 10th, is New Belgium’s Tour de Fat!

There’s nothing to do, you say? Not true! The Desert Botanical Garden is still welcoming guests to their flashlight tours every Thursday and Saturday night from 7-9 p.m. through August 29. When else would you get the chance to see, hear and feel the desert by the light of a flashlight? You’ll feel like a detective as you seek out snakes, lizards and even night blooming flowers. If you think the Garden is amazing during the day, just wait until you see what happens at night. This event is perfect for a family outing or a date night. For more info, go to www.dbg.org.

I’ve lived in Arizona my entire life. I know every annual event that happens or rolls through town, so I was surprised to learn about Arizona Fall Frenzy when I was looking for upcoming concerts.

The inaugural Arizona Fall Frenzy will be held on September 18, 19 and 20, 2009 at Tempe Beach Park. It promises to be the event of the year with big bands that include Blink-182, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, Fall Out Boy, Flogging Molly, Social Distortion, The Bravery, Colbie Caillat and more.

The festival will also have mister shade tents, a gaming center, arts and crafts booths, a Ferris wheel and water slides. Tickets are on sale now at ArizonaFallFrenzy.com, Marquee Theatre box office, All Bookman’s locations and Headquarters in Tempe. Tickets are $55 per person, per day when purchased in advance and $60 at the door. 2-day and 3-day passes are also available, but only in limited quantities.

Check out the official site here, and then go buy some tickets! It sounds like it’ll be a pretty good festival.