Celebrate Arizona Centennial with fandango
Yuma hosts birthday party in historic downtown Feb. 14
YUMA, ARIZONA - One hundred years ago on Feb. 14, the new citizens of the new state of Arizona heard the church bells ring at noon and celebrated their status with an evening dance on Main Street.
To celebrate the Centennial of Arizona statehood in 2012, Yumans can again take part in a down-home, downtown fandango - a traditional celebration and community dance sponsored by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.
The free celebration takes place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 14 on Main Street in Historic Downtown. Music will be provided by Paloma, directed by Lorenzo Chavez, and food and drink will be available, including barbecue from the Garden Cafe, a Heritage Area beer garden, plus lemon shakers, kettle corn and gourmet coffee.
Partygoers are encouraged -- but not required -- to wear vintage clothing circa 1912.
A special fireworks display sponsored by the Caballeros de Yuma will light the night at 8:30 p.m. -- leaving time for kids to enjoy the show and still observe a "school night" bedtime.
"We want this to be a good, old-fashioned party that's fun for all ages," said Tina Clark, the city's official archaeologist and historian. "An occasion like this only comes around every 100 years, so we hope folks will make it memorable by dressing up and spending the evening in the heart of old Yuma."
"What better way to connect with the hopes and aspirations that filled the hearts of Yumans a hundred years ago, than to celebrate in the same way in the same place," Clark added. "And maybe in 2112, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be celebrating Arizona's Bicentennial right here on Main Street."
###
Event contact:
Tina Clark, 928-373-5194 (office), 928-210-3328, tina.clark@yumaaz.gov
Sender contact:
Ann Walker, 928-376-0100 (office), 928-210-9044 (cell), ann@visityuma.com
Visitor Information Center: 1-800-293-0071
www.visityuma.com
Yuma Visitors Bureau markets the Yuma area within the travel and tourism industry and to the general public. Direct travel spending in Yuma County totaled more than $566 million in 2010, supported nearly 5,800 jobs and generated $36.3 million in state and local tax revenues.
A longtime favorite with sun-seeking snowbirds, Yuma's population nearly doubles in the winter months, thanks to more than 23,000 spots in RV parks and resorts. The community also offers nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, conference and meeting facilities, and three casinos. For more details about Yuma's year-round attractions, special events - and the rarely "cloudy with a chance of tacos" forecast* - visit www.visityuma.com or call 800-293-0071.
* Yuma hotel guests will eat free every day the sun doesn't shine from Aug. 1, 2011 until July 31, 2012! For more information on our Centennial "free board" promotion, call us.
Tags: