Arizona Best Fest draws over 70,000 people

PRESCOTT, AZ - The Arizona Centennial Best Fest drew out over 70,000 people during it's three-day event, perhaps the largest gathering ever in downtown Prescott. 

The event took place between Friday and Sunday and kicked off a full calendar of Arizona Centennial Signature Events and Projects that celebrates Arizona's 100 Years of Statehood. The events continue through February 14, 2012.

The Arizona Best Fest took up nine blocks in downtown Prescott, with a series of museums and entertainers - who drew the largest crowds of the weekend. 

Wayne Newton and Jordin Sparks were two of the entertainers featured at the Fest. 

"We were honored to host the first in the event series of celebrations to commemorate the 100th year of Arizona statehood," said Mayor Marlin Kuykendall. "The event exceeded all of our expectations, from crowd attendance to media coverage to pure enjoyment."

The USPS Arizona Statehood Stamp was unveiled at the event by its designer, Arizona artist Ed Mell, and features Cathedral Rock near Sedona. 

"The huge response to the vision of celebrating the best of Arizona at the Arizona Best Fest Prescott was tremendously gratifying," said Mandi Wimmer, deputy director of the Arizona Centennial Commission and 2012 Foundation. "The City of Prescott was an enthusiastic partner in the many months of planning and executing this massive effort. The result was an event that made history, the largest event ever in Arizona's first territorial capital."

The Arizona Best Fest travels next to Tucson on January 20-22, 2012, and will be in Phoenix on February 10-12, 2012.

The three cities served as capitals of the Arizona Territory at varying points during pre-statehood days, according to officials.

Some additional Fest highlights include a Western Town presented by Discount Tire, a Hispanic Village, a Native American Village presented by Giant, a wine tasting by the Arizona Wine Growers Association that includes Arizona Centennial official winery, Arizona Stronghold Vineyards, among other Arizona wineries and a craft beer garden by the Arizona Craft Brewing Association featuring Sonoran Brewing, and others.

For information on the Arizona Centennial, visit www.AZ100YEARS.org .