Arizona Downtown Alliance

08/20/2026

Main Street America "Spotlight" - The Connection Economy - In this Main Spotlight, Chief Innovation Officer Matt Wagner, Ph.D., explores "plug-in spaces," a proactive business model that builds on Main Street retailers and service providers as stewards of third places. Learn how traditional brick-and-mortar businesses can lean into the Connection Economy to benefit their bottom line and help build community.

Strong consumer preference for in-person experiences and connection signals an opportunity for Main Street bricks-and-mortar businesses.

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

🏡🌲 On This Day in 1983 – Flagstaff’s historic Riordan Mansion officially opened to the public, welcoming visitors to explore one of Arizona’s most remarkable architectural treasures.

Built in 1904 for the Riordan family, the Arts and Crafts-style mansion offers a glimpse into Northern Arizona’s early lumber industry, community history, and family life.

Today, Riordan Mansion State Historic Park is a Passport250 stop, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience this beautifully preserved piece of Arizona history.

08/19/2026

Experience a weekend of art, culture, and connection at the Hopi Arts & Cultural Festival.

Get ready for two days of authentic Hopi artistry, traditional social dances, cultural education, and opportunities to connect with Hopi artisans and learn about the rich traditions of the Hopi people.

Since 2010, the festival has served as a bridge between communities—bringing people together through creativity, education, and a shared appreciation for culture and stewardship of the earth.

📅 August 29–30
🕙 Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM | Sunday: 11 AM–5 PM
📍 Flagstaff Mall
🎟️ Free Admission

Visit the Hopi Festival website here to learn more 👉 hopifestival.com

Ready to level up your festival weekend? Enter the 2026 Flagstaff Festival Sweepstakes for a chance to win big in Flagstaff! 👉 https://woobox.com/jzbn3t

07/22/2026

Proposed changes to Section 106 regulations could dramatically reduce review and consultation for federally funded projects. In Arizona, that may mean fewer protections for historic buildings, archaeological sites, Tribal cultural resources, and public input before projects move forward. https://buff.ly/Y0Qn1eE

07/22/2026

Ranching has been part of the Santa Cruz Valley for more than 300 years, helping shape the landscapes and communities we know today. 🤠

For generations, ranching has helped define the Valley's economy, communities, and wide-open landscapes. The traditions brought by Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Hispanic, and Anglo ranchers have blended over centuries, creating a living heritage that can still be experienced throughout the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area. Historic ranches and grasslands remind us how people have adapted to life in this unique desert environment.🐮🐎

Photo Credit: Taylor Rivera

Here are a few sites connected to our Ranching Traditions storyline:
-Historic Canoa Ranch Pima County
-Empire Ranch Foundation
-La Posta Quemada Ranch

Find more sites related to ranching on our Interactive Heritage Experiences Map! Linked here or in our bio: https://santacruzheritage.org/heritage-experiences/interactive-map/

07/21/2026

Your Support is Needed: Consider signing the Petition Title Save the Historic Louis Emerson House from ASU and ABOR Demolition! Petition Target The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), ASU President Michael Crow, and the Phoenix City Council.

The Louis Emerson House, built in 1902 and listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register, faces planned demolition by Arizona State University and decisions from the Arizona Board of Regents and Phoenix City Council.
The petition says the rare Queen Anne/Eastlake home links downtown Phoenix to its streetcar-era neighborhoods, represents pre-Statehood working-family history, and that its loss would erase irreplaceable cultural heritage. Petition asks for ABOR and ASU to pause demolition plans and pursue a preservation-first solution to protect the Louis Emerson House for future generations. https://c.org/yV9Gvh6Fdm

Save historic Louis Emerson house from demolition!

07/11/2026

07/11/2026

Slowdown on Roosevelt Row this Saturday and next!

07/11/2026

Flagstaff residents are raising $2.75 million to purchase the 1937 El Pueblo Motor Inn, where the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers were recruited during WWII. The plan would preserve the historic site, create a museum, and add affordable starter homes through Habitat for Humanity. https://buff.ly/kZwzDlf