5/27-29: Prescott Off Street Festival
Riders United for a Sovereign America will line Cave Creek Road with more than 250 American flags and park their bikes in between them to salute families on their way to the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. This year, the organization will be at the location all weekend and is seeking volunteers for flag preparation, sponsorship ribbons and grounds maintenance. Riders arrive at 5 a.m. on Memorial Day. The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. Registration and flag-sponsorship details are online.
Details: 5-9 a.m. Monday, May 29. 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free to participate; $10 each or three for $25 to sponsor flags. ridersusa.net.
5/29: Gilbert Historical Museum Memorial Day event
See the first and only known national memorial to American Indian veterans on display at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. The memorial, outside of the Collector’s Room of the Heard Museum Shop, consists of several sculptures by acclaimed Chiricahua Apache sculptor Allan Houser and Michael Naranjo. Several bronze-colored panels detail the story of American Indians in conflicts from the 17th century to the 21st century and pay tribute to American Indians who received the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.
Details: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. MondaysSaturdays; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. 2301 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. Free to see the memorial in the courtyard outside the museum. 602-252-8848, heard.org.
Around Arizona
Not that anyone needs a specific excuse to head to Prescott for Memorial Day weekend, but the town hosts an artsbased festival with more than 100 vendors showing off and selling their arts and crafts. Motorists might appreciate
The annual event draped in red, white and blue to honors military veterans. All are invited to join. From Phoenix, take Interstate 17 north to Bloody Basin Road (Exit 259). Follow Forest Road 259 (Crown King Road) for 24 miles to Crown King. It’s a rough, narrow unpaved road with sharp switchbacks. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
Details: Noon Sunday, May 29. Followed at 12:10 p.m. (give or take a few minutes) by a family carnival at the Fire Department. Free. 928-632-7911, CrownKingAz.com.