Prescott's Best Fest celebrates Arizona Centennial

The weekend long event starts Friday at 5 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. Sunday.

As the festivities kick off, officials will reveal Arizona’s Centennial stamp at a ceremony headed by the Prescott Postmaster Frank Watson, Secretary of State Ken Bennett, the artist who designed the stamp, Ed Mell, and retired Arizona Superior Court Judge and Yavapai County Centennial Committee Chair Ann Sterling.

A 10 by 15 foot copy of the stamp will be unveiled at 4 p.m. accompanied by a balloon release, flyover by Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and Pony Express delivery of the Governor’s Proclamation of the Arizona Centennial USPS Stamp. It all happens on the Courthouse steps in downtown Prescott.

At 5 p.m. Best Fest begins, where Arizonans will learn about the past, present and future of our fascinating state.

Downtown Prescott will be filled with plenty to see, hear and do over the weekend; pavilions will be full of displays with Arizona’s past, present and future. They include a History Pavilion, Military Pavilion, Family Fun Zone, Hispanic Village, Native American Village, Western Town, Renewable Energy, Natural Resources, Wine and Beer Gardens, AZ 100 Best Art Show and Biplane Flyovers.

Making a special appearance will be the Copper Chopper, the official Arizona Centennial Mascot. Visitors have a chance to enter a contest to win the motorcycle built by renowned Valley custom chopper creator, Paul Yaffe.

Entertainment includes Arizona favorites with Jordin Sparks, Nils Lofgren, Jerry Riopelle, Wayne Newton, Marshall Trimble, Dolan Ellis, Rex Allen Jr., Walt Richards and the Groove Merchants, plus A Salute to Arizona.

Easy parking & shuttle access: East side parking: Frontier Village. West side parking: Rodeo Grounds

Best Fest runs Friday from 5 – 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Best Fest will also be held in Tucson and Phoenix at later dates.

For the full lineup and performance times go to the AZ Centennial website .