Today is National Voter Registration Day. If your right to vote means anything to you, make sure you are registered. Timed ideally a few months before some of the bigger elections of the year, this commemoration places information in the hands of the voters at the right time. Make your vote count. Learn more.
Speaking of registering to vote … Register to vote by Oct. 4 for the city's November Special Election. The city will hold a Special Election by mail Tuesday, Nov. 2, regarding Proposition 463. This proposition asks voters to consider whether or not to ratify the “Scottsdale General Plan 2035,” adopted by the Scottsdale City Council on June 8, 2021. If you're not already registered to vote, you can do so here.
Scottsdale to become the first “SAFE-certified” city. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network and Homeland Security Investigations are teaming with the city to train its employees on how to identify, report and prevent human and sex trafficking. The program is part of the Safeguarding All From Exploitation – also known as SAFE Action Project, which launched in 2019. Once 75 percent of the city’s 2,400 employees complete the training, Scottsdale will become the first city to be SAFE-certified. Additionally, SAFE will work with the Scottsdale Police Department’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit to provide training to restaurants and bars on the warning signs of human trafficking and the steps to take if a crime occurs. The goal of SAFE is to reach all corners of the tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, bars, ride sharing, airports, stadiums, and other places where large groups of people gather and travel.
Old Town Farmers Market resumes Saturday, Oct. 2. The market features more than 100 local growers and specialty food producers. Be ready to find a wide variety of organic and pesticide-free produce, seasonal specialties such as cider and apples, flowers, natural pork, beef, fish and free-range eggs from Arizona growers. You’ll also find cheese, freshly baked artisan breads, jams, tamales, and so much more. The market is family-friendly and well-mannered pets are welcome! It runs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, through May, at 3806 N. Brown Ave.
Enjoy Scottsdale ArtWalk — an American original. From 7-9 p.m. every Thursday, Old Town galleries open their doors to collector and casual patrons alike to enjoy featured artists, a cultural environment and refreshments. Get details.
Fall into Scottsdale Parks and Recreation’s autumn events! Enjoy these October activities:
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Railfair: The Railroad Park will kick off its fall event season by celebrating all things railroading from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 2-3. Multiple railroading clubs will be onsite to show off their model train layouts. You can also enjoy tours of the train shed with the steam engineers. Admission to the event is free, train rides on the Paradise & Pacific Railroad and the Charros Carousel are $3 for those 3 and older.
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Halloween Spook-Track-Ula: Stop in for a spell as the Paradise & Pacific Railroad transforms into a haunted park of fun for this frighteningly fun event. It runs nightly Oct. 8-31. Reserve your time slot and buy tickets ($15 per person).
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Dunkin’ for Pumpkins: Join us at McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic Center Sunday, Oct. 24, for a floating pumpkin patch. The pool will be heated and there will be stations to decorate your pumpkin. Guests also can enjoy fun water safety activities. The cost is $15 per pumpkin and registration is required.
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Family Night at the Pumpkin Patch: Join us for a spooky good time and decorate your own pumpkins. We’ll provide the decorative supplies, pizza and drinks, while you pick out a pumpkin from our patch. The price is $10 per child and $5 per adult. Additional pumpkins are available for $5. The event will be held at two centers on two nights; registration is required.
Please note that Scottsdale’s Fall Festival, historically held in October at Eldorado Park, will not take place this year.
ADOT warns of weekend freeway closure that affects Scottsdale. Westbound Loop 101 Pima Freeway will be closed between Pima Road and Tatum Boulevard from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 4. The following also will be closed: Northbound on ramps at Raintree Drive and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard; and westbound on ramps at Pima, Hayden and Scottsdale roads; and 64th and 56th streets. The Arizona Department of Transportation is widening and improving Loop 101 from Interstate 17 in Phoenix to Pima Road in Scottsdale. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.
Attend Scottsdale Sister Cities Association’s “Art of Kenya.” This exhibit features images from professional and working artists from our Sister City Uasin Gishu and other areas of Eldoret. Wonderful pieces are included from the Moi Girls High School. The show runs Oct. 16-Jan. 22, 2022, at the Mustang Library, 10101 N. 90th St. Attend an opening reception from 2-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the library. You’ll enjoy beautiful art, meet Kenyan artists via Zoom, learn more about Scottsdale's Sister City relationship with Uasin Gishu, meet fellow Sister City supporters, and enjoy light refreshments. RSVP and learn more.
Learn about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.
