Best Western Inn of Sedona
Events Galore in Sedona and the Verde Valley this Weekend
05/4/12 – 05/06/12
This coming weekend is the weekend of all weekends to visit Sedona, Arizona! The Sedona area is bursting with events and festivals, there is definitely something for everyone in your family to enjoy! Below you will find the events for this weekend broken down into four Categories: Arts, Cinco de Mayo Celebrations, Live Entertainment and Guided Hikes! We offer a free about town Sedona shuttle to our Guest at the Inn of Sedona. If you see a picture of our shuttle by the event our Shuttle can take you there!
Arts
1st Friday Evening in the Galleries
Meet Local Artists & Tour the Galleries
May 4th, 2012 (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
On the first Friday of each month, members of the Sedona Gallery Association offer a unique monthly showcase highlighting artists, special exhibits, and art events. These special art receptions give locals and Sedona visitors alike the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments while beginning their weekends with an exploration of Sedona’s exciting art scene. For your convenience, the Sedona Trolley provides free transportation to venture from art gallery to art gallery.To see a schedule of all the Artists Receptions and exhibits please visit the Sedona Gallery Association.
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Sedona Arts Center
2nd Annual Sedona Fine Art Auction
Items Displayed – May 2nd – 5th, 2012, Silent Auction May 5th
This prestigious auction will feature works from Arizona’s finest artists and award-winning Plein Air artists from across the country. All auction items will be on display starting Wednesday, May 2nd – 5th from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm prior to the close of the Silent Auction at 3:30 pm on Saturday, May 5th. The exciting Live Auction begins at 3:45 pm on Saturday, May 5th at the Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road in Sedona. For more information please visit the Sedona Fine Arts Center.
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Sedona Visual Artists Coalition
2012 Open Studios Tour and Season
May 5th & 6th 2012 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm) 
The season will begin with a weekend-long studio tour on May 5th & 6th, 2012 (10:00 am – 5:00 pm each day), during which all of the participating studios will be open to visitors. Following that kick-off weekend, participating studios will continue to receive visitors for the rest of the year, either by appointment or during specific tour days scheduled individually by each studio. All studio tours and visits will be free to the public. For more information please visit the Sedona Visual Artists Coalition. Check with the front desk to see if a Studio is on our list of Sedona Shuttle drop offs.
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Jerome Art Walk
Arizona’s Art Destination
May 5th, 2012 (5:00 pm – 8:00 pm)
Every first Saturday, the creative community of Jerome is pleased to host an evening of art, music and entertainment with open studios and galleries displaying local, regional and national artistic treasures. This free event has become a Verde Valley favorite with a shuttle that will transport you from the artist filled Old Jerome High School, up to the center of town with The Lincoln Gallery and Made in Jerome Pottery and everything in-between. For more information please visit the Jerome Art Walk.
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Cinco de Mayo
Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta at Tlaquepaque
May 5th, 2012
Immerse yourself in a colorful Fiesta saluting a rich heritage on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 at Tlaquepaque. Enjoy the festivities while cheering and whistling to the music of mariachi musicians, clapping to the steps of folklórico dancers and savoring traditional Mexican foods at Tlaquepaque’s famed El Rincon Restaurante. Entertainment Schedule: Andres Martinez (Latin Rhythm) will be performing in Patio Del Norte from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Ballet Folklorico will be performing at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm in Plaza De La Fuente, Eric Miller will be performing from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. They will also have Mariachi Rodriguez roaming the Calle Independencia and the streets of Tlaquepaque from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information on this Sedona event please visit the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village.
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Verde Canyon Railroad
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
May 5th, 2012
The Railroad hosts a lively festivity saluting a rich Hispanic culture with roots that run deep and reverberate throughout the Verde Valley.The fun begins on the shaded patio before the train departs at 1:00 pm. The rhythmic vitality of Mariachi music sets the festive mood while freshly-prepared south-of-the-border entrees and specialty drinks rock the patio. The flow of signature margaritas continues aboard the train as you’re cooled by a seductive breeze on an open-air car while savoring our heart-squeezing panoramas.For more information or to purchase your train tickets please visit the Verde Canyon Railroad.
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Studio Live Sedona
ZENPROV: Cinco Delightful
May 5th, 2012 (7:30 pm)
Kick off Cinco De Mayo with Zenprov Comedy for the first live performance at the new Mary D. Fisher theater! The troupe promises a “fiesta of funny” with their one-night only “Cinco-De-Lightful” show. Like the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Zenprov performs fast-paced, improvised comedic scenes created in the moment—always based on audience suggestions. For more information on this Sedona event or to purchase tickets please visit Studio Live Sedona.
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Live Entertainment
Verde Valley Fair
“Carnival Rides, Rodeo and Fun”
May 2nd – 6th, 2012
Enjoy five days and nights of non-stop fun and entertainment at the Verde Valley Fair! Entertainment lineup includes Gwen Sebastian, Street Drum Corp,and more! The Grand Canyon Rodeo brings adrenaline pumping Rodeo action to the fair on Friday and Saturday night at 7:00pm. Events include your favorite rough stock action; Bareback, Saddle Broncs and of course Bull Riding. With 5 full days packed with great music, great food, exciting rodeo action, exhilarating carnival rides and games, livestock shows and fun for all, you won’t want to miss out. For more information please visit the Verde Valley Fair.
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Studio Live Sedona
Sedona Poetry Slam – Featuring New York City poet Sean Patrick Mulroy
May 5th, 2012 (7:30 pm)
For some spicy words on Cinco de Mayo, Sedona’s Studio Live hosts a poetry slam Saturday, featuring New York City poet Sean Patrick Mulroy and hosted by Sedona poet Christopher Fox Graham. All poets are welcome to compete for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize.The slam will be the sixth and last of the 2011-12 regular season, which has been more moving, more energetic and more intense because this year as poets compete for a slot in Sedona’s first National Poetry Slam Team. For more information on this Sedona event please visit Studio Live Sedona.
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Sedona Guided Hikes
Red Rock State Park
Sedona guided Moonlight Hikes
May 5th & 6th
An unforgettable experience, Moonlight Hikes include a naturalist-led interpretive program on the Park’s beautiful trails. Hikers have the rare opportunity to enjoy the sunset and moonrise from an overlook and return by the light of the moon. The Hike lasts from two to 2 1/2 hours and covers a distance of approximately two miles. The Park recommends that you come through the gate approximately 30 minutes before the starting time to insure your participation because no late arrivals can be allowed to join the hike. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes (preparing for cool nights) and bring water, a flashlight, and insect spray. Reservations are required and starting time will be given when you make them. A $5.00 per person program fee will be charged at the time of the reservations. There is also a $10.00 entrance fee to the Park for a car of four adults. Please call 928.282.6907 for reservations.
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Red Rock State Park
Guided Bird Walk
May 5th
Meet up with other bird lovers at the visitors center and enjoy a leisurely stroll through one of the most popular parks in Northern Arizona . Bird enthusiasts can join a naturalist for a “Guided Bird Walk”. Beginners as well as advanced birders are welcome. Rangers recommend that visitors bring their own binoculars. A limited number are available for loan from the Park. Make sure to contact the park about schedule changes or reservations. Call 928.282.6907
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Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Guided Nature Walk
May 6th
Nature Walks will start on Sunday mornings and last for 1-2 hours. The guided hikes will meander along riparian areas or stroll through the high desert trails within the park. Hikers need to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and wear appropriate clothing; sturdy shoes, a hat. Says hike leader Ranger Margie Sanchez, “You might want to bring binoculars and a camera, too. These hikes are a great opportunity for wildlife sightings and photo ops.” Most hikes start at the Quail Loop Campground – inquire at the gate for starting points. For more information, call Dead Horse Ranch State Park at 928.634.5283.. The Day use fee of $7.00 applies, or Annual Passes are accepted.
We’re excited! One of our beautiful agave plants at our Sedona hotel is blooming! We can’t believe how fast she’s growing! Just for fun, we thought we would ask all of you to guess how tall the bloom will get to be.
All of us at the 
