This weekend looks to be not only beautiful but packed with fun outdoor activities. The 3rd annual AZ Barbecue Festival has grown to a two day event with over 80 teams competing for the best BBQ. Enjoy $2.00 BBQ samples, craft beer and Whiskey Row.  This family friendly event will have live entertainment, a Cornhole tournament and kids zone for children under 12.  This event runs May 19th and 20th from 11am-7pm at its new location, Salt River Fields (Indian Bend & 101). For tickets go to, http://www.azbbqfestival.com/.
Saturday, May 19th you can enjoy the Ameri-CAN Beer Festival at Scottsdale Civic Center. This event is hosted by San Tan Brewing, from noon to 6pm, supporting and celebrating the craft beer movement. Berweries both national and international will be represented, along with live entertainment and craft food. Download a route map at, www.friendsofthetrolley.com and let the Scottsdale Trolley driving you to this fun event.

Starting at 4pm you can ride the Talking Stick Resort, Lucky Express from Old Town Scottsdale with pick up locations on the south side of Scottsdale Fashion Square and the east side of W Scottsdale. The Lucky Express will make a special run by the Ameri-CAN Beer Festival and the BBQ Festival before continuing on to Talking Stick resort.

Enjoy what could be our last nice weekend for outdoor activities and let Ollie the Trolley do the driving.

Seasonal Trolleys Experience Double Digit Ridership Increase

It has been a busy season for Ollie the Trolley! The Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley, in its second year, had 16,327 riders from Dec. 26 through April 1 - a 23 percent increase over last year's ridership. In March, the Hospitality Trolley ridership peaked with approximately 228 riders per day. This free trolley offered 15 stops mainly along Scottsdale Road from downtown Scottsdale to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Additional trolley service also ran from the resort to the Waste Management Phoenix Open and Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction. The Scottsdale Resort Trolley, which was offered from Dec. 27 through April 1, achieved a 44 percent increase in ridership year-over-year with 5,914 riders this season. This trolley connects visitors from six hotels and one restaurant to Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Angles Baseball Spring Training Trolley

We are excited to expand the Spring Training fleet to include Tempe Diablo Stadium. Tempe is introducing the free Baseball Spring Training Trolley for the Angels during Cactus League Spring Training.

Beginning March 6 and continuing through April 1 on game days, fans will be picked up and dropped off at two locations in Tempe, the Mill Avenue District and Tempe Marketplace. The trolley stops are located on the northwest corner of Mill Avenue and Fifth Street, and on the north side of Tempe Marketplace, in between the Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill and Kabuki. Signage will mark each trolley stop. Fans will be dropped off just south of Tempe Diablo Stadium. This free trolley service will begin at 11 a.m. at both locations and continue until one half hour past the end of the game. The trolley will pick up fans every 40 minutes at Tempe Marketplace and every 20 minutes along Mill Avenue.

In the Mill Avenue District, fans can park for free at any of three Parkit locations, listed at www.millavenue.com/angels. Parking validation will be provided on the trolley.

For other Trolley route information go to http://www.friendsofthetrolley.com/.

WANT TO GET LUCKY?

Starting tomorrow, February 22nd the new Lucky Express will be rolling to the Talking Stick Resort. If you have not been to Talking Stick Resort it is the ultimate destination for entertainment. With 240,000 Sq Ft of gaming, 700 Slot machines and Non-Smoking poker room your gaming desires will be fulfilled and elevated.

From casual 24 hour dining at Blue Coyote to an international buffet or decadence and luxury at the fine dining restaurant, Orange Sky, Talking Stick Resort (TSR) has what you are craving. Located on the 15th floor, Orange Sky offers the best 360 degree views of the Valley’s beautiful orange sunsets.

Now you can enjoy TSR and let the Lucky Express pick you up and deliver you straight to the fun. With stops at the W Hotel, Scottsdale Fashion Square and Scottsdale Quarter, starting at 4pm and rolling until 12am, you can ride in style. No need to worry about parking or having a glass of wine. Simply sign up for the Players Rewards Club when you arrive and start earning great benefits and valuable discounts at both Casino Arizona locations.

Get lucky at Talking Stick Resort and let Dunn Transportation get you there safely on the Lucky Express.

Business spotlight – Hotel Valley Ho

Can you imagine the day when only 2000 people lived in the newly incorporated City of Scottsdale. That was the population when the Hotel Valley Ho was built in 1956. The Valley Ho was the first hotel in Scottsdale to have central air and be open all year. After many years of hosting celebrities, the property was sold to a local company who intended to bring it back to its original luster. Reconstruction was started in 2004 and Hotel Valley Ho reopened 49 years to the date of its original opening day. With an 80 million dollar restoration which included the addition of the Zuzu Lounge, a beautiful spa and Trader Vic’s, it quickly became the place to see and be seen in Scottsdale.

We are excited to have the Hotel Valley Ho as one of the stops on the City of Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley route. So take time for a date night or fun night out with friends and enjoy an evening at the Hotel Valley Ho.
Download a route map at, http://www.friendsofthetrolley.com/

Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction

The Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction starts on January 15th and what easier way to get there than the City of Scottsdale Hospitality Trolley. The Hospitality Trolley runs north and south on Scottsdale Rd with a transfer point at the Fairmont Princess Resort. From the Princess you will board the Barrett Jackson trolley to Westworld. To the Fairmont Princes, trolley rides start at 10:15am and run every ½ hour. To Westworld, trolley rides start at 10am and run every ½ hour.
Enjoy your time at the Auction and don’t worry about parking or if you want to celebrate your purchase with a cocktail or two, let the trolley take you to your destination. In additions to the exciting car auctions each day you can shop the hundreds or vendors for art and various unique items. Download a route map at, www.friendsofthetrolley.com.

Texting while Driving!

Texting while driving impairs your ability to drive! We all know it; you taking your eyes off the road, even for a brief moment, could result in an accident. We have all seen the headlines of fatal accidents as a result of texting while driving so why do you do it? Not all Arizona cities have laws restricting text messaging but do they really need to? Do we really need to stay connected every minute of the day? Take the twenty minutes in the car to enjoy some much needed time to breathe and focus on where you are headed. Or…..take one of the many free City of Scottsdale Trolley’s and text the entire way from point A to point B without leaving your fellow drivers anxiously waiting to proceed at a green light for you to finish your text message. Find a trolley route near you at www.friendsofthetrolley.com !