StarFest® 2012
Submitted by Rick Stacio on 10-29-2011
Event Information
Date: Fri, 09/28/2012 (All day) - Wed, 10/03/2012 (All day)Location: Phoenix - Arizona
Contact: John Hutchison
480.473.4887
The world-famous Arizona Biltmore will be our anchor hotel and site of our two-day Concours d'Elegance. Firebird International Raceway will be the thrill-seekers’ venue for all timed- and non-timed driving events; open to every Member and their guests.
It's too early to publish complete details of this year’s StarFest however; we can tell you that it promises to be a family affair. There will be something to occupy the time of every member of the family. For those not inclined to StarFest activities, there will be plenty to do and see. During the fall season, we anticipate picture-perfect weather. With only seven inches of rain a year and the September/October period being a dry one, there won't be much need for an umbrella. The average high temperature usually hovers around 90 degrees; low temps average a comfortable 62 degrees. The air is dry (relative humidity below 10% is common) so even 90 degrees will feel comfortable. Just remember to drink plenty of water and keep the sun-block applied.
The Arizona Biltmore has plenty of attractions to keep anyone busy but for the more adventurous, Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the U.S. The metropolitan area, known as the Valley of the Sun, is the 14th largest metro area with about 4.2 million people. Here, you’ll find all the normal attractions of an area this size including: the Phoenix Fine Arts Museum; major league baseball and football games; movie theaters galore and shopping centers of every size.
Let's highlight what makes Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun and Arizona so unique. The Heard Museum is world-renowned and dedicated to Southwest Native arts and cultures. It contains exhibits of native art ranging from prehistoric times to many of the finest contemporary artists. The museum is probably best known for its Kachina Doll exhibit from the collections of Barry Goldwater and the Fred Harvey Company.
There are also lesser-known museums which are unique to the area, like the Hall of Flame Firefighters Museum; the Pueblo Grande Museum for those with an archaeological interest; and for the musically inclined, the newly opened Musical Instrument Museum. Other points of interest include: the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, Papago Park with its 'Hole in the Rock,' the Challenger Space Center and Wrigley Mansion, the winter home of the chewing gum magnate.
A visit to neighboring Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, is a must-see for any visitor. Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams are both engineering marvels near Arizona's borders. Just over our northern border into Utah you'll find Monument Valley, which you can't look at for long without imagining an old stagecoach driven by John Wayne appearing from behind one of its monoliths.
We encourage you to make StarFest® 2012 a family vacation! Arrive a couple of days early or stay a few days afterward. Your room rate will be the same as during StarFest® 2012 at the Biltmore, for the few days you might stay before and after. Take advantage of all that Greater Phoenix and Arizona have to offer you and your family.
More information can be found on the StarFest® 2012 website. If anything sounds interesting, let us know. If there is interest, we will be happy to arrange private tours. How about a day trip to the Grand Canyon; a day trip to Sedona for Red Rock exploring in a pink Jeep or a day of early holiday shopping? Around town, why not enjoy a delicious brunch and tour the Wrigley Mansion followed by an afternoon soaking in Native American history at the Heard Museum?
Visit the StarFest® 2012 website often at www.starfest2012.com. New information is posted there regularly. On the site’s ‘Contact’ page, you can sign up to receive email updates the day they are posted. You can also contact Rick Stacio at (623) 582-6694 or rstacio@desertstars.org.
Posted October 28, 2011:
For starters, StarFest® 2012 will be anchored at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. Known as the “Jewel of the Desert”, it is one of Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Collection. Its 39 acres in the heart of Phoenix are covered with lush gardens and eight glistening swimming pools, one with a 92-foot waterslide. On the hotel grounds are seven tennis courts, and a full-service resort spa, salon and fitness center. Adjacent to the grounds are two 18 hole PGA golf courses. The hotel also offers a variety of activities for all ages, like the 'Imagination Emporium' for kids. 'Hollywood and Wine' is a perennial favorite which combines movie showings and wine tastings each summer. The Arizona Biltmore is not only a great place to stay; it is a destination all its own.
All StarFest 2012 activities with the exception of track events will be held at the Biltmore including the Concours d'Elegance. This event will be held on the hotel's Squaw Peak Lawn and the Cottage Court and is sure to make for one of the most striking and beautiful Concours venues in the history of the MBCA. For StarFest 2012, we are expanding the Concours activities to two days. The Concours will be held on Saturday as usual, and then the Concours vehicles will remain in place for Sunday and we'll have a media day that will be open to the public with celebrity guests and interviewers. In addition, there will be a series of seminars and exhibits on Concours presentation, vehicle restoration and preservation.
Track events won't be the same either. Firebird International Raceway hosts the NHRA Arizona Nationals each October. We will be using the same 1/4 mile drag-strip for our acceleration runs with the same Christmas Tree Starter Lights and Electronic Timing Scoreboard. Just like the NHRA rails and funny cars. And it will be held on Monday NIGHT, under the LIGHTS. ‒ BE THERE!!! For our Time Trials we'll be using Firebird's 1.6 mile main track. By the way there's also plenty of room for spectators in the stands...
Upcoming issues of the STAR will showcase more information about the activities at StarFest 2012 and will include registration instructions. But mark your calendars NOW. And for the latest information visit our new StarFest® 2012 website.
Start planning to attend StarFest® 2012, an event you will remember and will be talking about for years to come.
It's too early to publish complete details of this year’s StarFest however; we can tell you that it promises to be a family affair. There will be something to occupy the time of every member of the family. For those not inclined to StarFest activities, there will be plenty to do and see. During the fall season, we anticipate picture-perfect weather. With only seven inches of rain a year and the September/October period being a dry one, there won't be much need for an umbrella. The average high temperature usually hovers around 90 degrees; low temps average a comfortable 62 degrees. The air is dry (relative humidity below 10% is common) so even 90 degrees will feel comfortable. Just remember to drink plenty of water and keep the sun-block applied.
The Arizona Biltmore has plenty of attractions to keep anyone busy but for the more adventurous, Phoenix is the 6th largest city in the U.S. The metropolitan area, known as the Valley of the Sun, is the 14th largest metro area with about 4.2 million people. Here, you’ll find all the normal attractions of an area this size including: the Phoenix Fine Arts Museum; major league baseball and football games; movie theaters galore and shopping centers of every size.
Let's highlight what makes Phoenix, the Valley of the Sun and Arizona so unique. The Heard Museum is world-renowned and dedicated to Southwest Native arts and cultures. It contains exhibits of native art ranging from prehistoric times to many of the finest contemporary artists. The museum is probably best known for its Kachina Doll exhibit from the collections of Barry Goldwater and the Fred Harvey Company.
There are also lesser-known museums which are unique to the area, like the Hall of Flame Firefighters Museum; the Pueblo Grande Museum for those with an archaeological interest; and for the musically inclined, the newly opened Musical Instrument Museum. Other points of interest include: the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, Papago Park with its 'Hole in the Rock,' the Challenger Space Center and Wrigley Mansion, the winter home of the chewing gum magnate.
A visit to neighboring Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world, is a must-see for any visitor. Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams are both engineering marvels near Arizona's borders. Just over our northern border into Utah you'll find Monument Valley, which you can't look at for long without imagining an old stagecoach driven by John Wayne appearing from behind one of its monoliths.
We encourage you to make StarFest® 2012 a family vacation! Arrive a couple of days early or stay a few days afterward. Your room rate will be the same as during StarFest® 2012 at the Biltmore, for the few days you might stay before and after. Take advantage of all that Greater Phoenix and Arizona have to offer you and your family.
More information can be found on the StarFest® 2012 website. If anything sounds interesting, let us know. If there is interest, we will be happy to arrange private tours. How about a day trip to the Grand Canyon; a day trip to Sedona for Red Rock exploring in a pink Jeep or a day of early holiday shopping? Around town, why not enjoy a delicious brunch and tour the Wrigley Mansion followed by an afternoon soaking in Native American history at the Heard Museum?
Visit the StarFest® 2012 website often at www.starfest2012.com. New information is posted there regularly. On the site’s ‘Contact’ page, you can sign up to receive email updates the day they are posted. You can also contact Rick Stacio at (623) 582-6694 or rstacio@desertstars.org.
Posted October 28, 2011:
For starters, StarFest® 2012 will be anchored at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. Known as the “Jewel of the Desert”, it is one of Hilton's Waldorf Astoria Collection. Its 39 acres in the heart of Phoenix are covered with lush gardens and eight glistening swimming pools, one with a 92-foot waterslide. On the hotel grounds are seven tennis courts, and a full-service resort spa, salon and fitness center. Adjacent to the grounds are two 18 hole PGA golf courses. The hotel also offers a variety of activities for all ages, like the 'Imagination Emporium' for kids. 'Hollywood and Wine' is a perennial favorite which combines movie showings and wine tastings each summer. The Arizona Biltmore is not only a great place to stay; it is a destination all its own.
All StarFest 2012 activities with the exception of track events will be held at the Biltmore including the Concours d'Elegance. This event will be held on the hotel's Squaw Peak Lawn and the Cottage Court and is sure to make for one of the most striking and beautiful Concours venues in the history of the MBCA. For StarFest 2012, we are expanding the Concours activities to two days. The Concours will be held on Saturday as usual, and then the Concours vehicles will remain in place for Sunday and we'll have a media day that will be open to the public with celebrity guests and interviewers. In addition, there will be a series of seminars and exhibits on Concours presentation, vehicle restoration and preservation.
Track events won't be the same either. Firebird International Raceway hosts the NHRA Arizona Nationals each October. We will be using the same 1/4 mile drag-strip for our acceleration runs with the same Christmas Tree Starter Lights and Electronic Timing Scoreboard. Just like the NHRA rails and funny cars. And it will be held on Monday NIGHT, under the LIGHTS. ‒ BE THERE!!! For our Time Trials we'll be using Firebird's 1.6 mile main track. By the way there's also plenty of room for spectators in the stands...
Upcoming issues of the STAR will showcase more information about the activities at StarFest 2012 and will include registration instructions. But mark your calendars NOW. And for the latest information visit our new StarFest® 2012 website.
Start planning to attend StarFest® 2012, an event you will remember and will be talking about for years to come.
