by Heidi Dahms Foster, Communications Coordinator, Town of Prescott Valley
On August 22, 1978, 60 percent of Prescott Valley’s residents voted to incorporate, with 1,520 residents. Today, Prescott Valley has more than 45,000 residents.
The community today includes an attractive business and shopping environment, a busy entertainment district and event center, and its own Northern Arizona Suns basketball team, development league for the NBA Phoenix Suns. The community’s recreation fields and venues are popular with sports teams of all ages, and Prescott Valley was host for the National Junior College Athletic Association Soccer Championships this past fall. The Arizona Interscholastic Association basketball, cheer, volleyball and wrestling championships have taken place at the Prescott Valley Event Center for several years.
Additionally, Prescott Valley boasts several premier housing developments, and a new downtown apartment complex, Homestead at Talking Glass, complete with clubhouse, is under construction.
To commemorate its progress, the Town kicked off a year of festivities with a blowout New Year’s celebration. More than 500 people enjoyed ice skating at the PV Event Center, fire pits to roast marshmallows, cocoa, a huge bonfire, games and an emergency vehicle and first responder display for the kids. Two sessions of fireworks lit up the night sky, including one to bring in the New Year at midnight.
The Polar Bear Splash on January 6 was a record for the Town, as 65 hardy souls hit the chilly waters of Mountain Valley Splash, and a host of extremely hairy men competed for the annual Ice Princess title! A free pancake breakfast courtesy of IHOP, an ice cream eating contest, and a “duck race” were some of the other popular events.
The next big event is the annual EGGstravaganza and Family Arts Festival on March 24. This event on the lawns of the Prescott Valley Civic Center will feature creative games and art, and thousands of eggs for kids to hunt on the Civic Center lawns. The event is free to the public with the exception of a small fee for the added Hero Party Rental bounce houses and extra activities.
Other 40th Anniversary events through the year will include:
- Summer Movies Under the Stars series at the Civic Center -70s-era movies at the Theater on the Green.
- June’s annual Woofstock adoption event on the Civic Center grounds, sponsored by Prescott Dog Magazine, featuring a 40th Anniversary theme, adoptions and more.
- July annual fireworks and day of fun at Mountain Valley Park with a 40th Anniversary display.
- Big 40th Festival: In August, the month of incorporation, a spectacular celebration is on tap for the Prescott Valley Civic Center. Two days of events will include Saturday stage entertainment by local children’s groups, a 70s tribute band and other entertainment, mariachi and ballet folklorico performances, a car show, bouncy houses, a Hollywood Squares-style show sponsored by the PV Chamber of Commerce, and an Antique Road Show-style event sponsored by the PV Historical Society. Sunday’s lineup will include a Cowboy Church Service at the Theater on the Green, a gospel choir showcase, a wedding vow renewal, and a picnic on the grounds. Each of the weekend’s two days of fun will include plenty of food, with some gustatory delights supplied by area ethnic cooks.
Look for announcements of more 40th anniversary events as the year approaches.
The Town is looking for longtime residents who would like to share photos and take part in video interviews about their time in Prescott Valley. Volunteers are also needed for events through the year. Please call Communications Coordinator Heidi Dahms Foster at 928-759-3123 with photos and stories.
Businesses interested in being part of the 40th anniversary festivities can contact Councilmember Jodi Rooney at: Jrooney@pvaz.net
Watch the Town of Prescott Valley Facebook page, the website at www.pvaz.net, Twitter page @prescottvly for updates and times of events, or call Prescott Valley Parks & Recreation at 928-759-3090 for more information.
