Best Fest Phoenix to Honor Arizona’s Centennial

The Arizona Centennial Commission and 2012 Foundation’s Arizona Best Fest Phoenix event will honor Arizona’s 100 years of statehood, encompassing nearly one mile of Washington Street and beyond. The free event takes place Feb. 11 from noon to 10 p.m. and Feb. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. It will feature Arizona-based main stage headliners George Benson, Michelle Branch, the Gin Blossoms, Rex Allen Jr., Dolan Ellis and Marshall Trimble.

The event also will feature a Centenarian Brunch honoring 100-year-old individuals, companies and nonprofits; a grand gala entitled Fandango! Arizona; and an Arizona Centennial Ride — a 16-mile motorcycle tour led by Phoenix native Dierks Bentley. There also will be educational pavilions and villages of Hispanic, American Indian and Western cultures. The Arizona Republic is delivering an Arizona storyteller’s theater; and sports teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Suns — will present a history of Arizona sports pavilion highlighting all Arizona sports teams and traditions, including Cactus League spring training.