Maricopa is celebrating its birthday Saturday, October 15. That date commemorates the second anniversary of the city’s incorporation. A huge celebration is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Duke on Rancho El Dorado Parkway.
Wells Fargo is the presenting sponsor for the event. Other sponsoring firms include Dawn Madden — Maricopa’s Realtor, Global Water, Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning, Century 21 All Star Realtors, Farmers Insurance, State Farm, Xtreme Fitness and Oasis Life Center.
Parks, Recreation and Libraries (PRL) Director, Martin McDonald, who organized the event with the help of his committee of 10 local women, said, “The PRL Department exists to create community through people, parks and programs. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, this event is free to everyone.”
Promptly at 10 a.m., the first 1,000 attendees will receive City of Maricopa items like stadium cups, wristbands provided by Maricopa’s Realtor and water bottles courtesy of Global Water.
Bike decorating for the children’s (ages 6-10) bike rodeo also begins at 10 a.m. The carnival games, including the Dunk the Dentist with Dr. Jared Pope, a duck pond, tic tac toss, ring toss and many others will open then.
Tic Tac Toss, just one of the many carnival games.
Inside the Duke a beer garden will be available for adults, featuring $3 pints of Shiner Bock and Moosehead beer. Grilled foods will also be available for purchase. Calvary Chapel will provide free snow cones for all.
The Freddie Duran Plan will be playing for the crowd’s musical enjoyment. Freddie Duran and his band were a huge success at last April’s Salsa Festival. Along with original music, they perform classic rock, rhythm and blues, Latin, Tejano and songs by popular groups.
The Annual Chili Cook Off will feature contestants battling for cash prizes and engraved silver ladles in categories that include Best Overall Chili, Best Meat and Best Vegetarian Chili as well as Spiciest Chili. A restaurant division has also been added.
The Freddie Duran Plan performing at the Salsa Festival.
Special Keys to the City will be presented at 11 a.m. to 10 Maricopa families. Although their identities are being kept secret, these area pioneers were chosen for their contributions to making Maricopa what it is today.
At noon Parks, Recreation and Libraries dance classes will demonstrate their routines followed by a performance by the Maricopa High School Ram cheerleaders.
Various groups and vendors will have information booths on site. Residents can register to vote at the city’s booth. Everyone will also have an opportunity to submit a name for the city’s first park at the PRL Advisory Committee Booth. The contest lasts until November 18 when the winning submission will receive free Parks and Recreation classes for a year and be part of the park’s groundbreaking celebration.
Two tickets to the Fiesta Bowl and two tickets to that event’s pre-party, courtesy of Marcopa Schools’ Supertintendent Alma Farrell, will be raffled off at the Name the Park booth on Saturday.
Bring your family, your friends and neighbors to The Duke this Saturday. There will be entertainment, food and excitement for all ages. This is your chance to really “Discover Maricopa!”
