Marching Band Possibly Going to Fiesta Bowl

[Amy]

Has anybody done this trip? We're just waiting for school board approval, and then it looks like DS16's band will be going to the Fiesta Bowl this December. It's in Phoenix, right? What else is there to do beside the football game/parade? Our band director mentioned that the Grand Canyon is about 4 hours away, so they'd probably take the kids there for a day.

DH and I are trying to decide if we want to go as groupies (not chaperones) and take DS14 with us (he's not in band) and turn it into a vacation. Since the Fiesta Bowl is New Year's Day, that'll mean travel over the holidays, so if we're going to do it, we'll have to make reservations just as soon as the school board gives its ok. (And we probably won't be able to use DH's frequent flyers miles over the holidays, either. Dang!)

I'm looking for any and all info you can give me. We spent 3 days at the Grand Canyon back in 2004 when we did Vegas / Grand Canyon / Disneyland, so I'm familiar with that (although maybe this trip we'll try the train that goes from Williams to the Grand Canyon). Anything else?

Thanks!

 

[sharbear]

The Fiesta Bowl is in Tempe not Phoenix. Other than that I have no ideas, just bumping up for you. It does sound like fun.

 

[Amy]

Bump.

 

[triplefigs]

I've done the Fiesta Bowl twice. Once in HS for the game/parade and once in college when I was in the band at the Univ of Alabama. It is a lot of fun! They have tons of activities planned for the band members. We went to a western type park and had dinner/show, went to the Grand Canyon. You'll have a great time. Hope they approve it! BTW, my HS band won 1st place in the parade competition.



Here's a link with all the info on the trip (events for the bands, day trips, etc).



http://www.fiestabands.com/info/event_info.asp



Projected Fiesta Bowl Activities December 30, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Rawhide Steak Fry

All bands are invited to participate in this activity at Rawhide. Rawhide is patterned after an "OldWesternTown" with real Cowboys, hayrides and stage coach rides for the students. There are shops available for any type of souvenir you may wish to purchase. The meal for the band groups is held in a large covered area that can easily hold 5,000 plus people. An excellent evening that your band will enjoy.



December 31, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PMFiesta Bowl ParadeNote: actual Parade start time is 11:00 AM. This is the reason for being there! The Parade is usually 1.8 miles long and has very few turns. Very flat area so marching is not difficult. Temperatures can be in the mid-70’s but usually in the 60’s. The Parade is very well attended each year with over 400,000 people, many who are in reserved bleachers and seats. Please see the enclosed copy of last year's routing. This should not change that much for this year.



December 31, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PMFiesta Bowl Band Party The Fiesta Bowl New Year's Eve Band Dance will be held at Chandler High School in Chandler, AZ. We will get this party started at 7:00 PM and dance the night away until 10:00 PM. This is a party you won't want to miss. You will be able to dance with JJ, the DJ, compete in the Bungee Run or defend yourself in the Joust. Great prizes will be available in the Casino Room Night and there is a Movie Room for you to relax and enjoy. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and don't forget your cameras, you might just want to "capture the moment."



January 1, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PMFiesta Bowl National Championship of Bands – PrelimsThese are approximate times at this point. The venue for the event is Bank One Ball park, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, National League Baseball Team. All invited bands will perform their field show and the top 10 bands will then perform in the Finals this evening. Top score will receive the Fiesta Bowl Grand Master's Trophy January 1, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PMFiesta Bowl National Championship of Bands – FinalsAlso at Bank One Ball Park, the top 8 bands will perform this evening. BankOneBallPark gives the Fiesta Bowl the luxury of both an outside and inside show. The roof is completely retractable and can be closed in case of inclement weather. The sound is superb and the bands are closer to the audience than they are in a football arena.Sight-Seeing Attractions The Heard Museum - 22 E. Monte Vista Road

The arts and lifestyles of Southwest Native American culture, prehistoric to contemporary representations. Changing exhibits include primitive art from throughout the world. Also features Goldwater Kachina doll collection and artist demonstrations. Entrance fee is approximately $5.00 per person.



DesertBotanical Garden- Galvin Parkway in PapagoPark.

150 acres of plants from the world’s deserts. Self-guided nature walks and public lectures are available. Entrance fee is approximately $5.00 per person.



Phoenix Zoo - 5810 E. Van Buren in PapagoPark.

Located on 125 acres and home to mare than 1200 mammals, birds and reptiles, most in naturalistic exhibits. Features are rare Sumatran tigers. The Arizona Exhibit is dedicated to animals native to the state. Children’s Zoo is also available. Entrance fee is approximately $6.00 per person.



PhoenixMountain Preserve

Located in the northern part of the city and offering more than 7500 acres of unique desert mountain recreational activities including hiking, riding and picnicking.



SquawPeakPark - 2701 East Squaw Peak Drive

1 ½ mile hiking trail offers panoramic view of the city, park also offers access to other mountain trails.



EchoCanyon (CamelbackMountain) at McDonald Dr. & Tatum Blvd.



Hiking trails, including trail to the top of CamelbackMountain.



SouthMountain - 10919 South Central

16000 acres in a rugged mountain range. Hiking trails, park drives to scenic overlooks . . .wonderful place for pictures.



Dog Racing - GreyhoundPark at 40th and East Washington

Try your luck but don’t loose you shirt! Children under 13 not admitted.



ArizonaStateCapitolMuseum - West Washington St. & 17th Ave.

Built of native stone with a landscaped area including a large variety of native trees, shrubs and cacti. Four story restored CapitolMuseum with exhibits including re-creation of the original 1912 governor’s office and the early House and Senate chambers and galleries.



Arcosanti - Interstate 17 at Cardes Junction

Paolo Soleri’s ecologically designed town, an "urban laboratory" under construction. Tours include Soleri bronze bell foundry. Gift gallery, café, bakery.



ArizonaTemple Visitors’ Center - 525 East Main St. in Mesa

An architectural attraction on 20 landscaped acres. Biblical paintings, 10-foot Christus Statue, dioramas, flower gardens, reflection pools, guided tours available.



Castle ‘n Coasters - 9445 Metro Parkway

Major amusement park with 100 foot roller coaster, log ride, four miniature golf courses, Lit’l Indy Raceway and two giant arcades. Food, fun and fantasy. Fairgrounds Antique Market - at the Arizona State Fairgrounds Arizona’s largest antique and collectible show and sale. Open on Saturdays.



FortMcDowellGamingCenter - 2 miles north of Shea Blvd. off Highway 87

$50,000 bingo, poker room, casino, slot machines, open 24 hours



Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West - 108th St. and Cactus Rd.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece and school. Hourly tours, desert hikes, a National Historic Landmark.



Goldfield Ghost Town - 4650 North Mammoth Mine Road

Authentic ghost town. Mine tours, gold panning, specialty shops, museum. Southwestern dining and dancing in the steakhouse and saloon. Spectacular view of the SuperstitionMountains.



MysteryCastle - 800 E. Mineral Rd.

MysteryCastle was built by one man for his daughter. This unique structure arouses the imagination and touches the heart.



Rockin’ R Ranch - 86136 East Baseline Rd. in Mesa.

Arizona’s Wild West town. Chuckwagon suppers, horse-drawn wagon rides, 1800s medicine, Wild West Show, gun fights and entertainment by Rockin’R Wranglers.



Sedona Photo Tours

Sedona jeep tours - See Cathedral View, Schnebly Trail, Mongolon Rim, DryCreekBasin, Sunset Tours, Doe Mesa Hiking Tour, RedCanyons and Wildlife Tours. Tours of the back country of Sedona with experienced guides. Fun, no-rush, custom-tailored tours for beginners up to professions. See wildflowers, picturesque trees and unusual rock formations. Call 800-973-3662 (mention your band is attending the Fiesta Bowl)



Popular Day Trips PRESCOTT - approximately 102 miles, 2 hours drive time.

The small community of Prescott, founded after the discovery of gold in 1863 was the first capital of the Arizona territory. While in Prescott, stop at the Sharlot Hall museum complex. See the first territorial governor’s mansion, the historic 1857 John C. Fremont House and the restored 100 year old Bashford House. Take Interstate 17 north to Cardes Junction then go northwest on State Route 69. SEDONA/OAK CREEK CANYON - approximately 125 miles, 2 ½ hours drive time.

The cultural community of Sedona has become a mecca for art lovers and collectors. Surrounded by the towering red sandstone cliffs of Oak CreekCanyon, Sedona’ deep red rock buttes provide a beautiful backdrop to boutiques and art galleries, designer fashions and restaurants make this a unique experience. Take Interstate 17 north from Phoenix to Junction 179. Exit for Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon.



MONTEZUMA CASTLE/VERDE VALLEY - approximately 90 miles, 1½ hours drive

This journey back in time begins at the MontezumaCastleNational Monument, 5 miles north of CampVerde in the VerdeValley. Thought the Aztec King never saw the 5-story apartment house built by the Sinagua Indians in the year 1250, the cliff dwelling was given his name by early pioneers. The VerdeValley, named for the river that is its lifeblood, is also the scenic home of several other historical attractions. Within minutes of Cottonwood you can find 550 year old Indian ruins at TuzigootNational Park, the historic mining town of Jerome and FortVerdeStateNational Park.



TUCSON - approximately 117 miles, two hours drive time

South of Phoenix in Tucson, also known as the "Old Pueblo." Among the excursions enticing visitors are; a drive to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a trail through Saguaro Desert vegetation and a step back into the Weld West at Old Tucson Studios, a frequently used set constructed to resemble the Southwest of the 1880’s for movies such as Young Guns I & II and El Dorado, starring John Wayne. South of Tucson is a 300 year old church, San Xavier del Bac Mission, built by Spanish missionaries and still used today as a spiritual center for the Tohono O’odham Indians. Take Interstate 10 south from Phoenix.



LAUGHLIN, NEVADA - approximately 240 miles, five hours drive time

A mini-Las Vegas and a great place to try your luck! Hopefully you will leave with more money than you came into town with but don’t "bet on it!" Take Interstate 17 north to Glendale, at Glendale take State route 89 to Wickenburg and bear right onto State route 93. At the Interstate 40 junction go west on I 40 to Kingman and then State route 68 into Laughlin, Nevada.

 

[Amy]

triplefigs - thanks so much for the info and the link! Now I have a place to start!

And congrats on the first place finish!

 

[Laura]

The Fiesta Bowl is in Tempe not Phoenix. Other than that I have no ideas, just bumping up for you. It does sound like fun.

Actually, the Fiesta Bowl is in neither Tempe nor Phoenix. It's moving to Glendale next year. Glendale and Tempe are suburbs of Phoenix.

It would be a long drive to the Grand Canyon in one day, but I'd say it's worth it. I've been to Arizona, but stayed in Sedona. If you go and make it a family vacation, I highly recommend visiting Sedona. It's absolutely gorgeous!