The Town of Chino Valley invites everyone to join us Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2, 2024, for our signature event – Chino Valley Territorial Days. This year’s theme, “Chino Valley Full Circle – Celebrating Where Arizona Began,” will be an epic celebration of the recent purchase of land in the Del Rio Springs area on the north end of town by the Arizona State Parks and Trails for a new state park. This purchase honors and preserves the history and the location of where our territorial government first transacted business.
This event spans four days over Labor Day weekend. Kicking off at dark with a movie in the park showing, “An American Tail,” on Friday, August 30th at Memory Park, Palomino Road, and North Road 1 West.
Saturday, August 31 will feature a full line up of events most at or near Memory Park starting at 6:00 AM with the Lions Pancake Breakfast, highlighted by the Annual Territorial Days Parade beginning at 9:15 AM, and including vendors, a carnival, activities, music and entertainment, culminating with the much-anticipated Annual FFA Corn Dinner at Del Rio Elementary from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
The festivities on Sunday, September 1, will kick-off with Car Show from 9:00 AM – 1:00PM at the Aquatics Center, 1615 North Road 1 East, benefiting the 9/11 Memorial Foundation. At 3:00 PM the Aquatics Center will offer free swim to close out the pool season. At the same time Ichor Airsoft Field at 2125 Old Home Manor Drive will open for those who wish to join them to “Camp Out under the Fireworks.” Folks won’t want to miss our spectacular Drive-In Fireworks extravaganza also Old Home Manor at corner of Perkinsville Road and N. Old Home Manor Drive. Gates open at 6:30 PM with food trucks and entertainment until the fireworks start at dark.
Monday, September 2, will wrap up Territorial Days 2024 with activities at Ichor Airsoft field as they wind down their “Camp Out under the Fireworks.”
Parade entries are being accepted. Applications are available online at www.chinoaz.net or for pick up at American Family Insurance 1578 AZ-89 Suite 3 Chino Valley, AZ 86323. For More information, please call 928-636-8593. The Town is pleased to once again partner with the Women’s Community Network who will be facilitating the parade.
The Car Show will accept entries up to the morning of the event, but they do appreciate interested parties signing up in advance. Car Show information and applications are also available by calling 805-462-1996, by email to CVMemorialFound@Gmail.com, or on the Town of Chino Valley website at www.chinoaz.net.
Cyndi Thomas, Chino Valley Customer Services Director, and her team have collaborated with other departments as well as a vast assortment of community groups and individuals to make this year’s Territorial Days special. Cyndi stated, “The Town of Chino Valley is the lead for the event, however; it would not be possible without the partnership and collaboration with the Women’s Community Network, The Chino Valley Lions Club, The Chino Valley Lioness Club, the 911 Memorial Foundation and countless volunteers.” She did note that the Town is not the lead on the FFA Corn Dinner, but added, “We support and encourage all to attend the fantastic corn dinner.”
Thomas was quick to express her pride with this year’s theme, “Chino Valley has the distinction of being home to Arizona’s first territorial capital in 1864. It is important to remember as a town who we are, where we came from, and how we got here.”
Town Manager Cindy Blackmore echoed Cyndi Thomas’s comments and her pride in the town’s role and the significance of this year’s theme stating, “That the Town could play a role in preserving an important piece of our history by supporting the land purchase in Del Rio Springs for a new state park within our town borders should be a point of pride for everyone in Chino Valley.”
Again, for more information please visit our website at www.chinoaz.net. Look for “News & Highlights” at the bottom of our home page and click the “Territorial Days 2024” button for full details of all the events and applications. Information and updates are also posted our social media platforms, especially the Town and Community Services Facebook pages where you can find more information on parade route, parking and viewing areas; and any additions, enhancements or changes that may be made before our big event.
