Scottsdale Arts Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary March 13–15 with its annual celebration of creativity that attracts nearly 20,000 visitors annually.

Guests can experience the “best in visual, culinary, cultural and performing arts throughout” the newly-renovated, 20-acre Scottsdale Civic Center Park.  

Single day admission for this multi-disciplinary festival is $10 if purchased before Feb. 1, and $12 starting Feb. 2.

Since its inception in 1969, the festival has occurred in several locations throughout Scottsdale including Scottsdale City Hall, Scottsdale High School, the Executive House and more, according to a press release.

Detailing each successive year, the festival increased as news about the quality of the event spread among regional artists, the release said.

In 1973, the Scottsdale Fine Arts Commission initiated commissioning a special commemorative print honoring the event and an untitled work by artist James Rom was chosen;  some commissioned pieces will be displayed during the 50th celebration.

In 1989, the Scottsdale Cultural Council, now known as Scottsdale Arts, took over administrating and producing the Scottsdale Arts Festival. International, national and local art exhibitions and installations have “always provided engaging enhancements to festival goers,” the release said.

“The City of Scottsdale has built a reputation as a community that values and supports the arts, and I am very proud that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Arts Festival! As one of our most popular and long-standing events, the Arts Festival showcases some of the most talented artist from across the nation.

Our world class community appreciates arts and culture as evidenced by this event’s 50 years of success, and we look forward to further growth under the Scottsdale Arts leadership,” said Mayor Jim Lane in a prepared statement.

The festival showcases more than 180 jury-selected artists from the U.S. and abroad, according to the release.

This year’s featured artists are local husband and wife printmakers Stephen and Bonnie Harmston. The festival commisioned HarmstonArts to create an original commissioned artwork celebrating 50 years of the Scottsdale Arts Festival.

In addition to the Harmston’s work, attendees can experience and purchase works ranging from painting, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, photography and other media, noted the release.

“The Scottsdale Arts Festival has been a part of Scottsdale’s DNA for five decades and has continued to bring the best in visual, cultural, performing and culinary arts nestled throughout the beautiful park. The Festival is Scottsdale’s oldest, continuous arts festival and attracts a broad audience, from families and young professionals to retirees and discriminating art buyers,” said Jamie Prins, Scottsdale Arts Festival director, in a prepared statement.

Festivalgoers can enjoy live music and entertainment performed by local and regional bands, featuring music through the decades on two stages.

Jazz-based collective House of Stairs and a ’90s inspired set will kick off on Friday, March 13 ; at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14 the festival welcomes headliners Yachty by Nature — an authentic Southern California Yacht Rock band — where patrons can sail away on a sunset cruise through ’70s and ’80s soft rock.

Other lineup highlights include The Sugar Theives, Jovert and Salt River String Band, the release added.

The Festival is bringing the “popular Silent Disco” from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14 on Fountain Stage. Guests can check out a set of headphones to join the surreal, silent dance party and vibe to the beat of Silent Disco’s DJ, the release detailed.

Also, bring Your Own Mat Yoga will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday. in front of Fountain Stage. Participants can take advantage of this opportunity with a regular price admission ticket and enjoy the festival after an all-level yoga session.

Explore and cultivate creativity at the Scottsdale Arts Festival with hands-on activities, giant yard games from Corn Hole to Jenga to Connect 4, museum visits and more, noted the release.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will host Trivia @SMoCA at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14 in SMoCA Lounge. Patrons can purchase a special $12 single day ticket that includes entry into the trivia event.

The popular Community Art Studio returns with fun for all ages, including community collage on the handcrafted Scottsdale Arts sign and experiences with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale and Scottsdale Artist School, as well as storytelling with the Scottsdale Public Library.

Scottsdale Public Art and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation present local artists Roy Wasson Valle and Koryn Woodward Wasson’s “Camp Dreamtree” at the Festival for the first time.

This all-inclusive, interactive installation explores a bright and colorful world focusing on each new DreamScout being “small, but part of the whole.”

The installation consists of three main parts: a visitor center, a fire pit, and four stations/houses with self-guided and artist led projects to take home. There will be narrative-based activities for all ages in congruent with the installation throughout the weekend.

Culinary options at the festival range from local gourmet food trucks to eateries. A variety of fine wines, beers, cocktails and other beverages will be for sale too. Plus, patrons can bring reusable water bottles and use the City of Scottsdale’s water trailer for an easy refill to stay hydrated.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the Festival and Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation curated a retrospective exhibition featuring previous festival items including photos, merchandise, posters, magazine and newspaper articles and more.

The exhibition will be on view Feb. 28 – March 15, in the ArtReach Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, according to the release.

Guests can partake in a silent auction from 5 p.m., March 13 to noon, March 16, bidding on an original piece of commemorative festival artwork and many other items donated by participating 2020 exhibiting arists.

Also, the festival is a major fundraiser for Scottsdale Arts and proceeds support the performances, exhibitions, installations, and arts education and outreach programs presented by Scottsdale Arts.

During the Festival weekend, admission will be free to SMoCA, which will showcase new spring exhibitions: “Murmuration” through May 2020, “Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined” through May 15 and “Unapologetic: All Women, All Year” through Jan. 31.

On view at Center Space inside Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is “i hear what you’re seeing” through April 26, noted the release.

Parking and trolley service are free. Pets are prohibited, except for service animals.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 14 and 15, the festival is offering a free service for children to create a collaborative art project for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, through Trusting Connections Nanny Agency, which will allow parents to drop off potty-trained children ages 3 and up for one-hour intervals during the festival.

Scottsdale Arts Festival is sponsored by JOJO Coffeehouse, Lifetime Windows, First Impressions Ironworks, APS, Renewal by Anderson, City of Scottsdale Water, Milagro Tequila, Hensley and Fate Brewery, according to a press release.

The Community Arts Studio is made possible by: Scottsdale Public Library, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Phoenix College and Scottsdale Artists’ School.

Additional information is available at ScottsdaleArtsFestival.org; call 480-499-8587.