“2nd Saturdays”, and More!

Dec 1 Holiday Show Reception at the Gallery

Dec 8 2nd Saturday – Ajo Garden Tour

Dec 24 Santa Claus in the Plaza

 

On your way to or from Rocky Point, visit Ajo, the gateway to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Ajo is a historic mining town with “City Beautiful Movement” Architecture, and is an emerging Arts and Cultural Center. On your way to Ajo, from Phoenix, you will pass through “Crater Range” (looks like a mini Grand Canyon) on Hwy 85, just north of town at mile posts 28-31. It is a very beautiful range. If you are traveling from Tucson via Hwy 86, you will pass by the Tohono O’odham Cultural Center and Museum in Topawa (520) 383-0211, and Kitt Peak National Observatory Visitor Center (520) 318-8279 will be on your left at the top of Kitt Peak, before you get to Why, AZ. A side trip up the mountain would be exciting and fun for kids and adults alike. If you are traveling from Yuma on Interstate 8, why not stop in Dateland for a date shake, or plan to visit the Painted Rock Petroglyphs off exit 102. There are many things to do in this area, if you can just take some extra time to explore.
If December is your month to travel, plan on spending the day of Saturday, December 8th, in Ajo for one of their spectacular “Second Saturdays.”  The idea of “2nd Saturdays” sprang from Ajo clever minds over a year ago, and has grown into a “Must-Do-Day.” Here’s how a typical “2nd Saturday” looks…starting with a Farmers Market and Artists, in the famous Ajo Plaza at 9:00AM until 11:00AM.
 At 10:00AM take a guided tour of our early 1900’s “City Beautiful Movement” architecture…the Plaza and the Curley School

10:00 AM-2:00 PM Visit the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center…watch a

10:00 AM-2:00 PM Drop by the Clay Studio in the historic Manual Arts Bldg., Curley School Campus

1:00-5:00 PM Enjoy the art show at the Gallery in the Plaza

2:00 PM Enjoy a crafts class at the Gallery -please make reservations by the Friday before, at (520) 387-3570

4:00 PM (time varies) Sunset tour of Childs Mountain, caravan to the top of the mountain to savor the vistas, bring a box dinner to enjoy. Please make reservations by the Friday before at (520) 387-6483

7:00-9:00 PM Evening Events in the Plaza. For Information call (520) 387-3570.

  …..Activities for Anytimein Ajo, AZ…….

View Ajo’s open pit copper mine / Play golf at the Ajo Community Golf Course, dawn to dusk /  Stop at the Organ Pipe Cactus Nationall Monument Visitor Center to experience the “Seasons of the Sonoran Desert” exhibit … then drive the scenic 21-mile Ajo Mountain Drive, stop for a picnic, hike, and photograph scenic views / Visit the Ajo Historical Society Museum located in the historic St. Catherine Mission Church (closed in summer) / Drive the 14-mile Scenic Loop around Ajo …and stop for a picnic, hike, and be sure to bring your camera because you will want to photograph the beautiful scenery / Mountain bike, drive or hike the miles of BLM roads through the pristine desert surrounding Ajo / Take a break with the kids at Pima County Parks and Recreation … skateboard park, playground, basketball courts, nature trails, and picnic grills / Browse the local thrift shops, or Attend the speaker series at the Ajo Public Library (Information at (520) 387-6075).

 

Please feel free to get more information about Ajo, and events in Ajo from any of the following sources.

 

Ajo District Chamber of Commerce

520.387.7742 www.ajochamber.com

Ajo Regional Food Partnership

Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

520.387.6483

www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/cabeza

International Sonoran Desert Alliance

520.387.3570 www.isdanet.org

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

520.387.6849 www.nps.gov/orpi

2012-4