Pam Hait - Day Trips from Phoenix, Tucson & Flagstaff

Pam Hait is a freelance writer and award-winning author of thirteen books. A member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, she is a graduate of Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism. Pam was a contributing editor to Metropolitan Home, covered Arizona for Sunset and Travel & Leisure, and has written for many national publications, including Arizona Highways. Pam and her business partner own Strategies, a media relations and marketing firm that focuses on tourism and has special expertise in eco and heritage tourism. Pam serves on the board of the Grand Canyon Trust and is passionate about conserving the beauty of Arizona and the Southwest.

Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, Scottsdale; (480) 421-6694; barrett-jackson.com. Rare, historic carsworth $100,000 and morefor looking and buying. This is one of 3 major car shows that take place during the month of January in the Phoenix area.

Fiesta Bowl, office at 7135 E. Camelback, Scottsdale. Game is played at the State Farm Stadium, Glendale; ticket information at (480) 350-9500. This is one of the major college bowls in the country.

Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show, Quartzsite. (928) 927-6325; qzchamber.com or ci.quartzsite.az.us. More than 450 rock, gem, mineral, and jewelry vendors from around the world; largest operating display of lapidary equipment in the country. Free.

Waste Management Phoenix Open Golf Tournament, Tournament Players Course, Scottsdale; wmphoenixopen.com. One of the PGA Tours top golf events, the Waste Management Phoenix Open draws the largest crowds on the tour.

Gathering of the Gunfighters, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park; (928) 783-4771; azstateparks.com or historicyumaprison.com or gatheringofthegunfighters.com. Sponsored by Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, this competition between reenactment groups from around the region features shootin and shoutin along with authentic period costumes and gear and lots of virtual flying lead.

Wings Over Willcox Birding & Nature Festival, Willcox Community Center; (800) 200-2272; wingsoverwillcox.com. This celebration of birds, nature, and culture includes guided tours and field trips for bird-watching, photography, geology, ranching, agriculture, history, and more; free seminars; a crafts and trade show; live animal educational booths; workshops; banquet; silent auction; and keynote speaker. It is a unique festival and fun for all ages.

Lost Dutchman Days, Apache Junction; (480) 982-3141; lostdutchmandays.org. A 3-day rodeo, parade, arts and crafts exhibit, antique car show, and carnival.

Parada del Sol, Scottsdale; (480) 990-3179; paradadelsol.net. See a top professional rodeo, an elaborate horse-drawn parade, and Wild West fun. The Parada is a signature event for Scottsdale.

Quartzsite Annual Gem and Mineral Show, Quartzsite; (928) 927-6364. One of the worlds largest gem and mineral shows.

World Championship Hoop Dance Contest, (602) 252-8840; heard.org/hoop. At the Heard Museum, top American Indian and Canadian First Nation hoop dancers vie for the title of World Champion Hoop Dancer, amazing performances of the intertribal hoop dance where each dancer weaves in aspects of his or her distinct tradition and culture, more than $30,000 in prize money, and fry bread and other American Indian foods.

Yuma Crossing Day, Yuma; (928) 782-1841. This festival celebrates the Crossing of the Fathers.

La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros, Tucson; (520) 741-2233; tucsonrodeo.com. See the longest non-mechanized parade in the world.

Southwest Indian Art Fair, Arizona State Museum; (520) 621-6302; statemuseum.arizona.edu. Southern Arizonas premier Indian art show and market; meet 200+ southwestern Native artists, many of them award-winning; top-quality, handmade art includes pottery, Hopi kachina dolls, paintings, jewelry, baskets, rugs, blankets, and much more; artist demonstrations; and Native food, music, and dance performances.

Tohono Oodham Nation Rodeo & Fair, (520) 383-2588; tonation-nsn.gov/rodeo_fair.aspx. Oodham Wapkial Ha:TasEugene P. Tashquinth Sr. Livestock Complex in Sells, Arizona; longest-running Indian rodeo in Arizona, carnival, Waila dances, traditional games, food and crafts booths, exhibits daily, traditional performances, entertainment daily, Pow Wow parade. This is an authentic Native event, not a tourist event.

Tubac Arts Festival, Tubac; (520) 398-2704. A 9-day outdoor festival featuring interna tional craftspeople.

Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, Tucson Convention Center; (520) 322-5773; tgms.org. This is now the largest gem and mineral show in the US and attracts mineral, gem, and fossil dealers from around the world. You need more than one day to see it; its that big and that important. Tucson is home to more than 30 gem shows during the winter months, but this is the main event with hundreds of booths and lectures and special events. The city fills up for this show so plan ahead and book a room early. More information is available through visittucson.org.

Winterfest, Flagstaff; (928) 774-4505 or (800) 842-7293. Events include sled-dog races, llama games, and cross-country and downhill skiing.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Spring Plant Show, Superior; (520) 689-2811. Held at the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, this show features drought-resistant trees, shrubs, cacti, and succulents.

Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Phoenix; (602) 252-8840; heard.org/fair. Features more than 600 of the nations top Native American artists, lively music and dance performances, and a variety of Native foods including posole, Hopi piki bread, and fry bread. This is a top-notch show that is a destination in itself.

Annual Civil War battle reenactment at Picacho Peak State Park, (520) 466-3183 or (602) 542-4174; azstateparks.com/parks/pipe/events.html.

Tombstone Wild West Days, Tombstone; (520) 457-3511; tombstonechamber.com. A salute to the men and women of the Armed Forces sponsored by the Wild West Detachment Marine Corps League of Tombstone includes street entertainment, USO Canteen dance, parade on Sunday.

Heard Museum Indian Fair, Phoenix; (602) 252-8848. Stroll the museum grounds and enjoy Native dances, fine art and craft by Native artists, and exhibits that represent many Arizona Native American tribes. Great fun for all ages.

Fiesta de la Placita, Tucson; (520) 792-1212 or (800) 638-8350. Enjoy a full-fledged Mexican fiesta.

San Xavier (Ha-veer) Pageant and Fiesta, San Xavier Mission; (520) 792-1212 or (520) 294-2624. This event is held the Friday after Easter and features more than 100 Native American dancers celebrating the history of the mission. The Tohono Oodham host a food and crafts market.

George Phippen Memorial Invitational Western Art Show and Sale, Prescott; (928) 778-1385; phippenartmuseum.org. This show, held over Memorial Day weekend, attracts western artists from all over the country.

Tucson International Mariachi Conference, Tucson; (520) 838-3908; lafrontera.org. This big, colorful, and bold international festival showcases mariachi music and culture with mariachi and folklorico performances, workshops, events, and a community cultural celebration.