This weekend, the Arboretum at Flagstaff holds its annual Summer Plant Sale and Penstemon Festival. Horticulturists at The Arboretum, Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed, and Warner’s Nursery are propagating herbaceous perennials, vines, shrubs, and trees that are acclimated to our area and are sure to do well in your garden, just in time to take advantage of the monsoon rains. An Arboretum members-only preview is Friday afternoon, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. On Saturday, the festival is open to the public with live music, food vendors and beer gardens, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Representatives from the Arizona Native Plant Society, Monarch Watch, the Flagstaff Sustainability Program and local experts from Master Gardeners of Coconino County will be on hand to answer questions.
On Friday, 1:30 p.m., the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library presents Friday Flicks at the main branch library, downtown. Take a blanket and pillow and enjoy a movie on the big screen along with free popcorn. Admission is free! This week’s movie is the 2009 Disney family movie, “Up.”
Also on Friday afternoon, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour at the Museum of Northern Arizona with museum staff for an unforgettable glimpse into MNA that most visitors never get to see. The tour includes anthropology, geology, and paleontology, to archives, the Easton Collection Center, and fine art. Space is limited so advanced registration is advised. Tickets are free for MNA members, $10 for non-members. Children 10 and older are welcome. Call (928) 774-5213.
This week’s Downtown Friday Nights on Heritage Square program features Tony Norris, and Seymour & Cyge. Learn about the West and have a good time. The repertoire stretches from what they like to call “Baby Boomer Classics”, to folk, country, pop, blues, and even Celtic. It’s all free on Heritage Square from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
There’s another outing for runners this weekend on Saturday morning as Flagstaff’s Shadows Foundation presents The Hearts 911 Run. Proceeds provide life-saving cardiac heart screening to local first responders. The runs begin at the intersection of Schultz Pass Road and Elden Lookout Road. Day of event registration starts at 6:00 a.m. with runs beginning at 7:30 a.m. The 10K Trail Run is $35; 11-mile Ultimate Elden Point-to-Point is $55; and the 5K Run/Walk is $25.
Anyone interested in skating in Flagstaff’s High Altitude Roller Derby (HARD) should attend a New Skater Orientation on Saturday. The HARD ladies and gents are excited to share new information about their recreational skater program, as well as the upcoming Fresh Meat recruitment and referee training. Bring your own skates or rollerblades. There are a limited number of sizes of rental skates available for $2. Knee pads, wrist guards, and elbow pads are recommended. “HardQuarters” is at 3875 E. Huntington Drive. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Free!
Armed with tight vocal harmonies, bluegrass instruments and a heaping dose of righteous anger, The Haymarket Squares take the stage at The Orpheum in downtown Flagstaff, Saturday evening, along with opening band Isrobel. It all starts at 8:30 p.m., and it’s free!
Part of the City of Flagstaff’s Parks & Recreation Month, take the kids to the Aquaplex for the popular Touch a Truck event on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The entire family can touch, sit in and explore some of the coolest things on wheels – bulldozers, firetrucks and more.
This week’s Movie on the Square on Heritage Square is “The Pirate Fairy.” Sponsored by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, a family movie is shown at dusk on the Flagstaff town square every Saturday evening through the summer. Entertainment begins at 5:00 p.m. Get down there early to stake out a spot for a blanket or lawn chairs!
If you’ve got World Cup Soccer fever, see the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final Game on the big screen at The Orpheum on Sunday, 12:00 p.m. Admission is free. All ages welcome. Drink specials include bloody marys and mimosas.
The Flagstaff Community Market continues on Sundays through the summer and early autumn, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., in the city hall west parking lot (211 W. Aspen Ave.). Local and regional produce, breads, jams, honey, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods, breakfast at the market, and more. Check the website as Community Market is now also held on Wednesday evenings on Flagstaff’s east side.
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