April 25, 2012
Chandler Centennial festivities in May include Cinco de Mayo, Relay for Life, National Train Day, and three Celebration Weekend events
 Chandler’s 100th birthday is almost here, and the month of May features several events that exemplify the unique heritage, culture and tradition of the community. The festivities culminate in the Centennial Celebration Weekend, May 17-19, 2012.
The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 5 includes the exciting and popular Chihuahua dog races. Fiddle artist, Peter Rolland, is featured in the season finale performance for the Chandler Symphony on May 6. The impact of the railroad on Chandler’s development is celebrated at the Arizona Railway Museum on National Train Day, May 12 at Tumbleweed Park.
The organizers of these events, and the others listed below, applied for and received the Official Centennial Event designation from the Centennial Steering Committee. A complete listing of Centennial events for the entire year is at www.chandler100th.com.
May 2012 Official Centennial Events
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May 1-31 (Mondays through Saturdays)
Years Gone By – A Decade in Retrospective: Invitational Artworks
Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago Street
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Free Admission
For more information and to register call 480-782-2695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.
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May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Wednesdays)
Tumbleweed Recreation Center Family Nights
Presented by the Chandler Recreation Division
745 E. Germann Road
5:30 to 7 p.m.
Ages 1 to 12: $2 for Residents/$3 for Non-Residents
Ages 13 to 17: $3 for Residents/$5 for Non-Residents
Every Wednesday Tumbleweed Recreation Center host Family Night for kids of all ages. Each Wednesday’s activities vary from theme nights to arts and crafts to performances and much more. For more information call 480-782-2908 or visit www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
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May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 (Thursdays)
Chandler Farmers Market
Presented by the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership
Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 3 S. Arizona Avenue
3 to 7 p.m.
Free Admission
Come experience homemade and farm grown foods and vegetables available for purchase. In addition, various other trinkets, jewelry, crafts, pictures and more are on sale from local businesses and artists. For more information call 480-855-3539 or visit www.downtownchandler.org.
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May 5
Cinco de Mayo Festival & Chihuahua Races
Presented by the Si Se Puede Foundation
Downtown Library Courtyard, 22 S. Delaware Street
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free Admission; Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
The annual Cinco de Mayo celebration honors the Hispanic community's many contributions to the City of Chandler. The festival also features the popular Chihuahua Races and the crowning of the King and Queen Chihuahua.
www.chandleraz.gov/cinco
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May 5
Chandler Relief Society: A Century of Sisterhood and Service
Presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue
7 to 9:30 p.m.
Free Admission
Great women have always made Chandler a great place to live and raise a family. Women of all faiths are invited to gather and celebrate the work of one of Chandler’s oldest women’s organizations. Doors will open at 6 p.m. to enjoy displays of local service, homemaking skills and worldwide humanitarian aid. The program begins at 7 p.m. and will highlight 100 Years of Sisterhood and Service in the Chandler Relief Society. Following the program, please allow plenty of time to mingle with friends and enjoy refreshments!
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May 6
Chandler Symphony Orchestra: Fiddle Finale
Presented by the Chandler Symphony Orchestra and the City of Chandler
Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Avenue
3 p.m.
Free Admission
Chandler Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert with Fiddle Artist, Peter Rolland as he performs on the season's grand finale program. For more information, call 480-782-2680 or visit www.chandlersymphony.net.
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May 11-12
Relay for Life Chandler
Presented by the American Cancer Society
Basha High School
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Free Admission
Relay for Life of Chandler is a community volunteer event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Prior to and during the event teams raise money that is donated to the American Cancer Society to sponsor research and support services. Relay for Life is an overnight relay-style event, with the goal of each team to have at least one member circling the track to symbolize the fact that cancer never sleeps. Team members camp along the track and food, entertainment and fundraising opportunities are present for the duration. Highlights of the event include a survivor and caregiver lap and a memorable Luminaria ceremony. Relay is a life changing event. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/chandleraz.
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May 12
National Train Day
Presented by the Arizona Railway Museum
Arizona Railway Museum, 330 E. Ryan Road (in Tumbleweed Park)
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free Admission
National Train Day is a celebration of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Amtrak sponsors the event to commemorate that historic event and celebrate what passenger railroading has done for the country. While freight takes the majority of rail traffic, it is passenger rail travel that most people think of when they think about railroads. The Arizona Railway Museum opens all of its equipment so guests can see history up close and in person. Many of the cars in our museum are one of a kind or the last of their kind. For more information, visit www.azrymuseum.org.
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May 12
Vision Kidz Workshop: Graffiti Art vs. Urban Art
Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago Street
10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Free Admission, Advanced Registration
Come learn the difference between Graffiti Art and Urban Art as artist J. Pierce guides students in creating with bright, happy colors in a respectful and positive way. For more information, call 480-782-2695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.
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May 19
Vision Kidz Workshop: Express Yourself!
Vision Gallery, 10 E. Chicago Street
10 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Free Admission, Advanced Registration
Arizona Photographer Joanne West leads students through technique and thought process that are used in creating unique photos. For more information call 480-782-2695 or visit www.visiongallery.org.
May 17-19, 2012 – Centennial Celebration Weekend
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May 17
Happy 100th Birthday, Chandler!
City Hall Plaza, 175 S. Arizona Avenue
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Free Admission
It's Chandler’s 100th birthday! Check out the new 50-year time capsule and plaque dedication; local entertainment and special speakers; see our community birthday cards and try a piece of the winning Centennial birthday cakes! Enjoy history and art exhibits. The Mayor will recognize Chandler centenarians and Birthday Cake Design Contest winners.
www.chandler100th.com
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May 18
Happy 100th Birthday, Chandler!
Historic Downtown Chandler, 3 S. Arizona Avenue
4 to 10 p.m.
Free Admission
Enjoy a relaxed evening in downtown Chandler, where our City’s history began, with artists, music, food, history and more. Check out the expanded art walk and Farmers Market, and local entertainment. Pick up a Centennial neighborhood history cookbook, funded in part by the Arizona Humanities Council. Centennial sponsors and dignitaries will mingle at an elegant reception, where Centennial Scholarship winners will be awarded.
www.chandler100th.com
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May 19
Chandler Bash of the Century
Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road
4 to 10 p.m.
Free Admission
It’s the biggest backyard birthday bash you will attend this year! Bring the family to Tumbleweed Park for classic games with prizes, such as three-legged races, pie eating contests and to celebrate our farming heritage, agricultural themed games such as cotton bale rolling. Enjoy entertainment from local talent, history exhibits, special speakers, airplane flyovers, and a fireworks display! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
www.chandler100th.com
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