Weekend Events in Payson

Patriotic Events Committee Chairman Colonel Bill Sahno, USMC (Ret) hangs the American flag from a light pole along Main Street, a duty he takes on during every patriotic event.

(file photo)

EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

compiled by Jenny Caster

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Memorial Weekend tributes

All citizens are invited to join with friends and neighbors to remember those who have died in our nation’s service and honor those who have defended and continue to defend the standards and values upon which our country was founded.  The Payson Events Committee encourages all citizens to take time to honor these brave men and women by participating in one or more of the Memorial Weekend tributes listed below.  For more information about any of the tributes, please contact the Patriotic Events Committee Chairman, Colonel Bill Sahno, USMC (Ret) at:  472-6617.

Pioneer Cemetery tribute

There will be a sunrise flag raising at the Pioneer Cemetery on Saturday, May 26, sponsored by the Pioneer Cemetery Board.   To reach the cemetery, drive west on Main Street past Green Valley Park to the Payson Golf Course. Turn right on South Vista Road past the golf course to the intersection of South Vista and Mesa Roads.

Mountain Meadows Cemetery tribute

The annual Mountain Meadows Cemetery tribute will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 27, at the Mountain Meadows Memorial Garden, 3545 N. Round Valley Road.  Sponsored by the Messinger Funeral Home and supported by the Payson Patriotic Events Committee, the VFW and the American Legion. 

Flag raising ceremony at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino

There will be a flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 at 8 a.m. at the Mazatzal Hotel & Casino.  The morning will consist of a patriotic music interlude, opening and closing remarks, invocation, national anthem and flag raising, speakers, benediction and bagpipe music.

Veterans Memorial/Green Valley Park tribute

A special Memorial Day tribute will be held on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial at Green Valley Park on Green Valley Parkway.  The event features a patriotic music interlude, opening remarks, the National Anthem and flag raising and invocation.  Mayor Kenny Evans will provide a speech.  The concluding events will feature a service medley/honor guard tribute/rifle salute/taps, a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace”, benediction, moment of silent reflection and closing remarks.

Memorial Day moment of silence

All citizens are asked to voluntarily and informally observe, in their own way, a moment of silence on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, at 3 p.m. local time, by Presidential Resolution, in remembrance, support and prayer for all past and present military personnel.

2nd ANNUAL 2012 Memorial Day Ride - a ceremonial ride to honor our fallen American heroes
WHEN:   SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2012 (see route below)

2:30 PM:   Registration opens @ Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson Cave Creek, 13850 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phx
4:30 PM:   Kicks Stands Up

    STOP:   Group ride to National Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phx 
6:30 PM:   Regroup at 101 & Northern Ave. @ Park West Shopping Center and ride as a group.
7:00 PM:   Arrive at Dillon's Restaurant for CONCERT and AFTER PARTY
               Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium, 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park

BENEFITS: Patriot Guard Riders, Arizona Chapter and American Legion Riders 138 Legacy Fund

REGISTRATION: www.AZTributeRides.com 
****FIRST 300 get FREE t-shirts/tanks when you sign up.

KEEP UP TO DATE ON THE EVENT - JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PG: https://www.facebook.com/AZMemorialDayRide

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Other Events

For those who will be spending their Memorial Day weekend in the Payson
area, you may be interested in hearing the live music of local professionals.
 On Friday & Saturday (May 25, 26) the Payson Jazz Trio performs at the
Ayothaya Thai Cafe from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Cafe is located on east highway
260 directly across the street from the Safeway supermarket. Come for an early
dinner at one of Payson's classiest restaurants. Bob Smolenski is on keyboard,
Mike Buskirk on bass, and I'm on the drums. There is no cover charge.

The Jig is Up! at Mountain High Coffee Company

A Payson three-piece Irish, Celtic and original music group, The Jig is Up! will play at the Mountain High Coffee Company, 612 N. Beeline Highway, on Friday, May 25, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Two-day yard sale at Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church of Payson located at 414 N. Easy Street will hold a yard sale on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Arts & Crafts Festival in Payson

The Annual Mountain High Arts & Crafts Festival will be held from Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, at the Gila County Courthouse parking lot located on the corner of the Beeline Highway and Frontier Street.  Also includes a salute, taps and silent moment in honor of veterans.  Sponsored by the Greater Grace Fellowship.  For more information, contact Dean at: (928) 595-4397.

Archeological Society yard and bake sale

The Arizona Archaeological Society Rim Country Chapter will host a yard and bake sale on Saturday, May 26, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Church of the Holy Nativity, 1414 N. Easy Street.

Hellsgate Fireflies breakfast at Tonto Village

The annual Memorial Day breakfast at Tonto Village will be held on Saturday, May 26, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at 151 Mathews Lane in Tonto Village.  The Hellsgate Fire Department is located one mile off of Highway 260 on Control Road.  Breakfast includes scrambled eggs and sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and coffee.  Sponsored by the Hellsgate Fire Department Auxiliary.  The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and under.  Bake sale includes many tasty baked goods.  Top raffle prizes include a quilt and chainsaw.

Payson Farmer’s Market

Visit the Payson Farmer's Market this Saturday, May 26, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Sawmill Theatre parking lot behind Chili’s.  For more information, contact Katie Klein at: (602) 524-0352.

Annual Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Festival in Pine

The 32nd Annual Memorial Day Arts & Crafts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pine Community Center in Pine on Highway 87 and Randall Place, 13 miles north of Payson.  Come enjoy the two-day Arts & Crafts Festival in the mountains with over 80 juried art booths by talented artists and crafters.  Sponsored by the Pine-Strawberry Arts & Crafts Guild.  For additional information, contact Joy Hafford at: 602-790-0248.

Constitutional seminar: ‘Making of America’

The “Making of America” seminar presenting Rick Dalton of the National Center for Constitutional Studies will be held on Saturday, May 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Crossroads Foursquare Church, 114 E. Cedar Street.  Admission is $10 which includes a workbook; for an additional $5, a box lunch will be provided by the 260 Café (or bring your own lunch).  For more information and to obtain tickets, call Darlene at 468-6900 or Shirley at 468-1131.

Community Pool opens for summer fun

The pool at North Rumsey Park on North McLane Road in Payson will open for the season on Saturday, May 26.  Regular public pool hours will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  Open for Memorial Day on Monday, May 28.  $2 admission fee.  Swimming lessons are available from 9:15 to 11:45 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Pre-register for swimming lessons on-line at: www.EvoSwmSchool.com/Payson.  For more information and to book a swim party, call: 877-539-5009 or e-mail: info@evoswimschool.com.

Payson First Assembly of God Living Hope service

There will be a Living Hope service at Payson First Assembly of God, 1100 W. Lake Drive (next to Green Valley Park) on Sunday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m.  The public is invited to attend this special service.

The games begin at Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism

The Town of Payson summer recreation program will begin on Tuesday, May 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The eight-week programs include physical activities, cultural events and field trips.  All programs are open to children from first to sixth grade.  Cost is $30 per child and includes lunch at the Rim Country Middle School.  Pre-registration is required.  To enroll, call the Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department at: 474-5242 ext. 7 or visit the Website at: www.paysonrimcountry.com or stop by the office at 1000 W. Country Club Drive at Green Valley Park.

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Looking Ahead

Big band jazz and pop standards vocalist, Colleen Brown, has a new group and
she invites you to hear her perform at the Payson Community Presbyterian Church,
800 W Main Street on Saturday, June 2nd from 2 to 4 pm. She say's that her
group has new music and a fresh new sound. Her quartet includes Mike Casey
on keyboard, Howard Brown on guitar, Roscoe Dabney III on drums, and
Colleen on lead vocals. No cover, but tips are appreciated.
 

Mountain High Games

Competitions in eight different activities will take place at the Payson Event Center on Friday, June 1 through Sunday, June 3.  The events include: ATV trail rides and ATV rodeo, mountain bike race, 5K trail run, trucks only demolition derby, horseshoe and archery tournament, dutch oven cooking contest, and a pinecone throwing contest and sawdust games.  Open to all age and ability levels with over $7,000 in cash prizes and sponsor prizes in the different competitions.  For more information, or to register, visit the Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism website at: www.paysonrimcountry.com/mountainhighgames or call: 928-474-5242

ext. 7.  The Payson Parks, Recreation & Tourism office is located at: 1000 W. County Club at Green Valley Park in Payson.

Summer concert series at Green Valley Park begins in June

Every Saturday evening in June and July, a special outdoor concert will be held at Green Valley Park from 7 to 9 p.m.  The MC6 A Capella band will kick off the season on Saturday, June 2.  The band plays fifties and sixties doo-wop favorites.

Third Annual Charity Golf Event & Silent Auction

Golf competition for the Third Annual Charity Golf Event and Silent Auction begins at Chaparral Pines Golf Club, 504 N. Club Drive, on Sunday, June 3, at 10 a.m.  Shotgun start for two-person scramble teams.  $125 per person; $100 for club members.  Includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, box lunch, fun contests, awards and a $50,000 hole-in-one prize!  Proceeds to benefit the Payson Area Habitat for Humanity.  Sign up on-line at: www.paysonhabitat.com/events or call: 474-0330.