Things to Do in and Around Mesa, AZ for the week of Oct 17th

Mesa Parks and Recreation’s 75th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, October 22nd from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Red Mountain Park.
This is a free family festival with rides, games, bounce houses, Radio Disney music, Halloween costume contest, pumpkin carving, and an outdoor movie that begins at 8:30 PM.

Phoenix Food Truck Festival
Saturday, October 22nd from 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
These are not the old Roach Coaches of days past.  Today's food trucks serve unique meals in a fresh and funky way.  This weekend you can taste a multitude of foods from more than 30 of Phoenix's best food trucks and carts.  Your admission includes food samples for all of the vendors.  Pay $30 in advance or $35 at the door.  Children under 12 are free with a paid adult.   The festival is located at 408 E. Roosevelt Street in Phoenix. 

Have Fun at the Desert Botanical Garden with these two upcoming events:

Great Pumpkin Festival
Thursday and Friday, Oct 20th - 21st from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday, Oct 22nd - 23rd from 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Pay general admission fees to the garden ($18/adult and $8/child) and get some extra fall fun included--hay rides, kids' crafts, free pumpkins for the kids, and live music.  Also, lots of food and treats for purchase and pony rides for additional cost.

Target Free Day
On Tuesday, October 25, admission to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Monarch Butterfly Exhibit (open 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) is free.  Parking is limited.  Info about taking the light rail to the garden can be found here.

Other things to do....

Head to Gilbert's Farmers Market this Saturday from 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM for some local shopping and to celebrate their 1st birthday.

Take a preschooler to "Little Desert Explorers" for a short hike and desert-learning experience at Usery Mountain Park.  You should either take your own preschooler or ask for permission before taking someone else's.

Teens 13 - 18 are invited to the Zombie Prom next Monday, October 26th at the Southeast Regional Library.  They might even be able to dance to Thriller in their zombie attire. 

For more ideas for fun, including a list of Fall Pumpkin festivals in our Fall Guide.

Have a great week!