Historic Old Town ESPN Main Street Tailgate
A five day Western-style tailgate party is taking place along Main Street between Scottsdale Road and Brown Avenue in Old Town adjacent to Scottsdale Civic Center from Wed., Feb. 8, through Sun. Feb. 12. In conjunction with ESPN, the event will serve as the backdrop for much of the network’s pre-game coverage of Super Bowl LVII.
The event will go on daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon, with multiple ESPN productions each day. Throughout the event, guests can enjoy games and live performances from local favorites including The Singing Cowboy Gary Sprague and his trusty steed Dusty. Attendees will also have multiple photo opportunities (including ESPN talent spotting!) and the chance to make a cameo on live TV.
Stallion Stampede Community Art Project Unveiled
A collection of eight artistically designed fiberglass stallions are on display at Scottsdale Fashion Square. The life-size stallions at Fashion Square are part of a larger installation encompassing multiple locations across Scottsdale. Each horse depicts the work of talented artists in the community and will be on display through March, then the herd will be auctioned one by one at the Stallion Stampede Gala on April 15. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club of Scottsdale’s scholarship fund, as well as charities selected by each stallion’s sponsor. To find the stallions, visit stallionstampede.com.
New Officer Sworn In
Adam Cook was sworn in by Chief Freeman Carney as Paradise Valley Police Department’s newest officer on Jan. 18, with his wife pinning on his badge.
Adam joins the department from the Arizona State University Police Department with six years of law enforcement experience, including being a field training officer, incident response team member, special operations unit, bicycle instructor, and crisis intervention team member.
Police Warn Residents of “Behind the Badge” Survey
The Town of Paradise Valley Police Department is warning locals about a possible direct mail scam circulating in the area, claiming to be backed by the Paradise Valley Police Department. The Citizens Behind the Badge group is allegedly sending out surveys and donation requests to residents.
The Paradise Valley Police Department does not have an affiliation with the group and does not solicit donations. Citizens Behind the Badge is not registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit with the IRS, according to Charity Navigator.
First Phase of Scottsdale Civic Center Open
The first phase of improvements to Scottsdale Civic Center opened in late January. The entire project will be complete in late March and the city is planning a community celebration in April to showcase the newly renovated public space. Funding for much of the $33.5 million project was approved by Scottsdale voters in the 2019 Bond Election. Construction began in October 2021 and the area has been closed to the public during construction.
The western two-thirds of the project were the first to open in January including the West Paseo from Old Town Scottsdale, West Bowl, 360 Stage, Civic Lawn, and Marshall Gardens. Pedestrian access will be provided across Civic Center from Old Town and the Center for the Performing Arts to the northern City Hall parking lot.
The remainder of Civic Center is expected to be complete in late March 2023. This includes everything east of the Civic Lawn including the City Hall Lagoons, Water and Fog Plaza, Children’s Gardens, and the East Bowl.
