5/29: Memorial Day service at Green Acres
The Memorial Day Picnic is a chance for the Arizona Academy of the Performing Arts to celebrate the kick-off of the summer season. Parents, alumni, volunteers, friends and fans will enjoy a picnic lunch featuring hot dogs, beans, salad and dessert. The Academy Youth Guard and each section of the Academy Drum and Bugle Corps will perform, presenting the latest and greatest of the Academy offerings, and the celebration will conclude with a full ensemble performance of the 2017 Academy field production.
Details: Noon-3 p.m. Monday, May 29. Campo Verde High School, 3870 S. Quartz St., Gilbert. $5. 480-730-5594, arizonaacademy.org.
5/29: Memorial Day candlelight service in Avondale
Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park presents a program that includes the Avenue of Flags, where more than 90 United States flags, donated by the families of deceased U.S. veterans, are flown each Memorial Day to pay tribute to their loved one’s service. A World War II aircraft will also do a flyover during the program. Refreshments will be served immediately after the service.
Details: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, May 29. 6747 E. Broadway Road, Mesa. Free. 480-830-4422, dignitymemorial.com.
The annual service includes a warbird flyover, posting of colors, bagpiper, wreath and flag presentation, and special guest speakers.
Details: 10-10:45 a.m. Monday, May 29. Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery, 401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale. Free. 480-945-2654, greenacresmortuary.net.
Ongoing: American Indian Veterans National Memorial
Forget how much that doggy is in the window. The real question is, how much can that doggy pull? Find out during Trapper Days, featuring a weight-pulling contest among large dogs. There also will be a pancake breakfast, barbecue, dance and more. Festivities also include a wagon-ride tour of historic homes.
Details: 6:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27; home tour is 5 p.m. Monday, May 29. Venues and admission vary per event, check website or call for details. 928-536-7366, snowflaketaylorchamber.org.
5/27-29: Wyatt Earp Days
How do you celebrate the life and times of one of the Old West’s most infamous lawman? With shootouts, hangings and a chili cook-off. Those first two aren’t real, but the last certainly is. Be sure to catch the 1880s fashion show to see what was hot on the red carpet, if the 1880s had a red carpet outside brothels.
Details: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Monday, May 27-29. Along Allen Street in downtown Tombstone. Free. 520-2665266, tombstonechamber.com.
5/28: World’s Shortest Memorial Day Parade in Crown King