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Art Beat
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Art Beat
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Historic Castledome
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Yuma Taco Festival
By Ann Walker
Though birds of a feather flock together, there are two big reasons to postpone your spring migration north this year.
First, there’s a reason April is known as the “cruelest month” in northern climes – think of those foolhardy spring blossoms buried by blizzards and slo-o-o-o-w down!
Better yet, Yumans know that spring is a great time to soak up the sights and sunshine without having to fight the crowds. It’s one of their best-kept secrets.
Here are a few tips about enjoying April in the world’s sunniest spot:
Q: Isn’t it hot there in April?
A: No foolin’, the days do start to get warmer … but Yuma’s average high in April is a “mere” 30 degrees C while the average low is a surprising 12 C. That means fresh mornings for active sports and long, lazy evenings to enjoy our beautiful sunsets – plus a good excuse for a cervesa fria or an afternoon siesta. “Made in the shade” is a phrase coined for April in Yuma.
Q: Doesn’t Yuma shut down when the snowbirds leave?
A: Not by a long shot, and certainly not in April – believe it or not, life goes on for folks here even after our winter visitors depart. But April is a great time to find “off-peak” bargains – and to enjoy prime-time reservations for tee times or dinner. Some spring-fresh suggestions:
Enjoy breakfast, lunch or Sunday brunch at the all-outdoor Garden Café … Because you can’t air-condition the open air, the Garden Café does indeed take a summer break. But the Garden is always open through Mother’s Day. Enjoy an iced Yuma Spice tea in what was once the garden of pioneer merchant E.F. Sanguinetti, along with family recipes prepared by his descendants. 250 S. Madison, 928-783-1491.
Get an up-close look at the beauty of the desert and mountains while learning more about their fascinating history with Steve Thornburg of Running Boy Tours. Feel the breeze in an open-air Polaris or crank up the AC in an enclosed Jeep. Info on personalized desert tours, 928-581-8202 or www.runningboy.us
At one time, the population of Castle Dome City far exceeded that of Yuma. But when the mining boom faded, so did the once-rowdy town. Now Allen and Stephanie Armstrong have re-created a ghostly mining town in a pristine desert setting surrounded by nearly 700,000 acres of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Castle Dome Mines Museum also offers a self-guided hiking trail with beautiful desert views – and lots of April wildflowers. Open daily through April, call 928-920-3062, details and directions at http://www.visityuma.com/historic_site_museums.html
Q: I don’t want to be bored – is there really anything to do in Yuma in April?
A: You may not be able to go dancing every night of the week, but their April calendar is still pretty full! A few examples:
- Yuma County Fair, (info 928-726-4420 or www.yumafair.com)
- Yuma Taco Festival, (Desert Sun Stadium, info 928-373-5040)
- ARTbeat (juried outdoor art exhibit and sale), (info 928-373-5202)
- Village Jazz Series at Yuma Palms Regional Mall
- Yuma Orchestra Association’s "Orchestral Classics", (www.yumaorchestra.org)
Q: Sounds great! Where can I learn more?
A: Visit www.visityuma.com for lots of great info or to browse or download a copy of their visitors guide. Or call or stop our Visitor Information Center (201 N. 4th Avenue, 800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071), open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week through May.