ROCKER: Children fulfill a childhood fantasy by riding on the giant-sized rocking horse at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Read the WebXtra. Submitted photo.
Arizona Renaissance Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday through April 1 and on Presidents Day, Mon., Feb. 20, near the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. Cheer for brave knights and roam a 30-acre festival village filled with castles, cottages, pubs and 12 stages of nonstop performances of music, dance and comedy. Enjoy nearly 2,000 colorfully costumed characters, jousting, live entertainment, music, artisans and a marketplace. Children’s activities include people-powered games and rides. Buy tickets online at www.RenFestInfo.com, or save with discount tickets purchased at Fry’s Food and Drug stores. Discount ticket prices are $20 for adult, $10 ages 5 to 12, free ages 4 and younger. Tickets purchased at the Festival are $2 more. Senior discount tickets are $19 for those 60 and older, available only on Festival days at the front gate ticket booth. Parking is free courtesy of Fry’s. Located east of Apache Junction on U.S. Highway 60, past Gold Canyon Golf Resort. Info: 520-463-2700, www.RenFestInfo.com.
Chandler Horizon Rotary 19th Annual Million Dollar Hole-In-One Shootout, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. three weekends Sat., Feb. 18 through Sun., March 4; Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, 1 N. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. The last day is slated for semi-finals, finals and qualifiers in the 6th Annual Women’s $10,000 Shootout. The distance of the shot during the qualifying rounds is approximately 100 yards. Players make a $1 charitable donation per shot for a chance to win daily prizes such as rounds of golf, golf clubs, restaurant gift certificates and other items each day of qualifying. In addition they play to gain entry into the finals as one of the top 20 overall qualifiers from the eight qualifying days. In the $1 million finals, each of the five holes in the finals green is matched with a top prize including $1 million in cash. Other giveaways range from $50,000 to $100,000, a new car or truck and other merchandise. Numerous local charities benefit from the event, presented by Thorobred Chevrolet, GoDaddy.com and Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. Info: 602-295-7883, www.ChandlerHorizonRotary.com.
Free classical concert, 2 p.m., Sat., Feb. 18, Chandler Center for the Arts’ Bogle Theatre, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. Conductor Jack Herriman chooses some of his favorites for the “Chamber Orchestra.” All ages are invited. 480-782-2680, www.chandlercenter.org.
Rumor Monsters Storytime, 1 p.m., Sat., Feb. 18, Southeast Regional Library, 775 N. Greenfield Rd., Gilbert. Award-winning author Michael Moorehead, 16, will read from his book, “The Student From Zombie Island: Conquering the Rumor Monsters,” which was published when he was only 11. Free tickets, available in the Youth Services area 20 minutes before event time, are required to attend. 602-652-3000, www.mcldaz.org.
Mardi Gras season, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun., Feb. 19, San Marcos Ballroom at Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort, 1 N. San Marcos Pl., Chandler. Hear New Orleans-style music played by the Arizona Roadrunners and the Original Wildcat Jass Band from Tucson, and 52nd Street Jazz Band from Mesa.
The event host is Arizona Classic Jazz Society, and the cost is $20. Attendees receive throw beads. Masks are available for a small donation and umbrellas are provided for second-line parades. Food is available for purchase in the ballroom, or arrive early for a jazz brunch at A.J.’s. Info: 480-620-3941, www.azclassicjazz.org. Brunch reservations: 480-812-0900.
“Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom starring Peter Gros,” 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 19, Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler. A passel of live critters, video clips and bloopers accompany Peter Gros, who has nearly 30 years of field experience with captive members of the animal world, is intimately involved in a nationwide conservation education program conducted at the local community level that strives to educate while entertaining. He is known for his appearances on the Animal Planet cable television network and as co-host of the original broadcast television series, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.” Ticket for adults range from $24 to $34; patrons ages 17 and younger are $15. To purchase tickets call 480-782-2680, or visit www.ChandlerCenter.org or www.Ticketmaster.com. Info: www.petergros.com, www.wildkingdom.com.
Arizona Senior Olympics Swimming Competition, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 19, Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center, 5901 S. Hillcrest Dr., Chandler. Seniors compete for medals and bragging rights as they swim various styles and distances. Free Admission. Info: www.seniorgames.org.
Perry Branch Library activities, 1965 E. Queen Creek Rd., Gilbert: Wiggle Worms, 10:30 a.m. Feb. 21, 27, 28, – Tots ages 18 months to 3 years with a parent have fun with flannel board rhymes, songs, shakers, bubbles, parachute play and age-appropriate books.; Perry Film Series, 1 p.m. Tue., Feb. 21 – A monthly viewing of Indie, foreign and documentary films, with popcorn served; Baby Time, 10:30 a.m., Wed., Feb. 22, 29 – Introduce babies ages newborn to 20 months to books, songs and fingerplays; Common Threads Knit & Crochet Club, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thu., Feb. 23 – Enjoy food, fun and friendship while creating and sharing needlework projects; Pre-K Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Feb. 23 – Preschoolers ages 3 to 5 with a parent have fun with flannel board rhymes, dancing, songs, shakers, bubbles, parachute play and age-appropriate books. All are free. Info: 602-652-3000. www.mcldaz.org.
Ed Robson Branch Library programs at, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes: 100 Years, 100 Ranches, 2 p.m. Tue., Feb. 21 – Learn about the enduring tradition of ranching in Arizona as Scott Baxter shares stories about photographing 100 Arizona Ranchers in Arizona; Wednesday Afternoon Book Discussion, 2 p.m. Wed., Feb. 22 – Discuss “Five Quarters of the Orange” by Joanne Harris. Free. 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. Info: 602-652-3000, www.mcldaz.org.
Chandler Downtown Library activities, 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler: After School Movie: Planet Earth, 4 to 5 p.m. Feb. 21, 28 –Youths, ages 6 and older watch stunning, never-before-seen footage of Earth’s most beautiful places and enjoy Chipotle chips and salsa; Nick the Guitar Guy, 11 a.m., Feb. 23 – Ages 5 and younger listen to stories, sing songs with Nick the Guitar Guy. All are free. Info: 480-782-2800, www.chandlerlibrary.org.
Family Night, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 22, 29, Tumbleweed Recreation Center. Enjoy themed recreational activities and entertainment each week. All ages. $2 to $3. 745 E. Germann Rd., Chandler. Info: 480-782-2900, www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
Hearing Loss Association of America–Sun Lakes presentation, 1 to 3 p.m. Thu., Feb. 23, Ed Robson Branch Library, 9330 E. Riggs Rd. in Sun Lakes. Learn about a free, user-friendly captioning service that does not require an Internet connection. Lisa Furr, outreach coordinator for Arizona Relay Service, discusses Captel, caption telephone, which allows users to both listen to and read the other party’s words during telephone conversations. Captel works using a phone line and a confidential captioning service. Refreshments are served and all are welcome. RSVP: halib72@gmail.com or reggiefaith@gmail.com, or call Sandy Edwards 602-652-3000 and ask for Ed Robson Branch.
Chandler Classic Car Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25, Dr. A. J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Ave. Chandler. There is no charge to attend this family-friendly event featuring cars, music, cars, a kids’ zone, cars, arts and craft vendors, cars, food and beverage vendors, cars, static police and fire department displays and vehicles. Included are more than 250 pre-1980 vehicles, representing both car clubs and individuals. Proceeds benefit youth organizations in the community. Info: 480-389-7709, www.chandlercarshow.com.
The Sunbird Art Club’s second annual Art Tour, 1 to 4 p.m. Sun., Feb. 26. Five area homes showcasing the work of local artists provides an opportunity to enjoy art, visit the Sunbird community and meet its residents. The $5-per-person tickets are available at the Sunbird Golf Resort Club House at Riggs Road and Championship Drive, or by contacting Mary Hawley at 480-883-1742.
Sun Lakes Dance Party 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thu., March 8, Oakwood Ballroom, Sun Lakes Country Club. Back by popular demand is The Colorado Connection for this casual dress event. The evening begins with a dance lesson at 6:30 p.m., followed by open dance, including popular and line dances, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A no-host bar, door prizes, snacks and water are provided. The cost is $7.50 per dance. Newcomers are welcome. Info, RSVPs: Del or Claire Ziegler, 480-802-7127 or dcziegler@aol.com; or Barbara Castro, nume319@aol.com.
