PAYSON — Hail, wayfarer, and a bright Middas to you — the sun is climbing over the Rim, the pines are lit gold, and this is Veterans Day in the Holds. Here in Payson the dentists open their doors free to veterans from 9:00 AM, Prescott steps off its great parade at 11:00 AM, and Sedona gathers at the Heritage Museum for its tribute at the same hour. The week rolls merrily on from there — a pottery festival in Cornville, pasta night at the Elks, Alice Cooper in Prescott Valley, and the Dreamboats in Payson — so raise a mug to those who served, by the Nine, and step out into the sunshine.
Happening in the Holds Today
Payson— Payson Dentists Salute Our Veterans — today starting 9:00 AM, at dental offices around Payson. Four local practices offer veterans a free basic cleaning, an extraction, or a filling — all you need is your VA ID. Space is limited, so call ahead: Payson Premier Dental at 928-472-8400 for fillings, Center Point Dental at 928-472-2500 for extractions, Anderson Dental Group at 928-474-4581, and Mountain Family Dentistry at 928-363-4149, whose offer runs all month. This is the Hold at its best — skill offered freely, with thanks, to those who served.
Sedona— Sedona Heritage Museum Veterans Day Tribute — Sedona Heritage Museum, 735 Jordan Rd, Sedona, today at 11:00 AM, free. The annual tribute fills the historic Apple Shed: a flag ceremony, patriotic music, veteran dignitaries, and a parade of American flags at the entrance assembled by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Shondra Jepperson emcees and Col. Judith Patton gives the keynote. A warm, unhurried hour of thanks among the red rocks.— Drum and Sound Experience — Cultural Park, Sedona, today at 4:00 PM. An afternoon of rhythm and sound under the red rocks, in Sedona’s open-air cultural park. Bring a blanket, settle on the grass, and let the drums carry the day’s thanks into the evening light. It is the merry end of a solemn day — music, community, and that famous Sedona sky. Guests who love a sound bath with scenery will feel right at home.
Show Low— Coffee and Chair Massage — 100 N White Mountain Rd, Suite 104, Show Low, today at 9:00 AM. A gentle Veterans Day morning on the mountain: coffee in hand and a chair massage to loosen the shoulders. It is a small, kind offering in the middle of a busy week of remembrance. Come as you are, stay for a cup, and leave walking taller. White Mountain mornings were made for exactly this pace.
Prescott— Prescott Veterans Day Parade — downtown Prescott, today. Opening ceremonies begin at 10:30 AM at Cortez and Union streets and the parade steps off at 11:00 AM from the Courthouse Plaza ground where yesterday’s wreath was laid. This year’s theme honors veteran first responders — “Protecting Our Country, Serving Our Communities.” Come early, for downtown fills fast and the plaza is the best seat in the Hold. A grand, flag-bright morning in Arizona’s Christmas City.— Veterans Day Military Ball — Touchmark Blvd, Prescott, today at 5:00 PM. After the parade, the day turns dressy: a military ball to close Veterans Day in style. Expect an evening of ceremony, music, and dancing in honor of those who served. It is the formal bookend to a morning of flags on Cortez Street. Polish the boots, wayfarer — Prescott knows how to finish a day of honor.
The Days Ahead
- Thu, Nov. 12— Mingle with a Veteran — Northland Pioneer College White Mountain Campus, 1001 W. Deuce of Clubs, Show Low, Thursday 7:00–10:00 AM. The college invites students, staff, and the whole community to an informal morning of conversation with local veterans — hear their stories, share a coffee, and say thank you in person. Everyone is welcome and no program stands between you and the talking. The best kind of Veterans Week event: simple, early, and human.
- Fri, Nov. 13— Verde Valley Pottery Festival — D.A. Ranch, Cornville, Friday through Sunday, November 13–15. Three days of clay in the Verde Valley: Friday evening is the ticketed opening, and Saturday and Sunday are free. Potters from across the region bring bowls, mugs, and sculpture to a working ranch setting, with wine tasting and live demonstrations. Hearth guests headed to Sedona pass nearly by the gate. A handmade mug to bring home is a quest worth taking.— Lil Fish with Govinda at Humankind — Humankind, 1730 W State Route 89A, Sedona, Friday 5:00 PM–1:00 AM. A long, layered night of electronic music in Sedona’s intimate conscious-event venue: Frequency Friday opens the evening, Govinda plays 9:15–10:45 PM, and Lil Fish closes from 10:45 PM. Travelers who like their music with red-rock air will find their hall. Tickets are on the event page — plan the drive home before the first set.
- Sat, Nov. 14— 2nd Annual Pasta Night — Elks Lodge, 1206 N Beeline Hwy, Payson, Saturday at 4:00 PM. Pasta night returns to the Elks Lodge for its second year, and the Lions have the tickets. Expect a hall full of neighbors, heaped plates, and the particular merriment of a small-town lodge supper. Last year’s first helping made it an annual — that tells you how the pasta was. Get tickets before the weekend; lodge suppers in this Hold do not stay secret long.— 3rd Annual GET LOUD Community Celebration — 3250 White Bear Rd, Sedona, Saturday at 2:00 PM. Sedona’s community celebration returns for its third year — an afternoon gathering of neighbors, music, and good noise in a good cause. Community celebrations are where a Hold shows its heart, and this one has earned its annual place. Bring the family and a little volume. Valley Dwellers up for the weekend are honored guests, as always.
- Sun, Nov. 15— Alice Cooper in Concert — Findlay Toyota Center, Prescott Valley, Sunday at 7:30 PM. The godfather of shock rock brings his show to Prescott Valley, about twenty minutes from downtown Prescott. It is the loudest booking of the week by a considerable margin, and the arena will be full of Rim Country rock fans. A bard of a very different school, to be sure — but every mead hall honors a legend. Get tickets ahead; this one will not wait at the door.
- Mon, Nov. 16— Banner Payson Cancer Center Groundbreaking — 807 S Ponderosa St, Payson, Monday at 10:00 AM. Shovels turn for the new Banner Payson Cancer Center — changing the landscape of cancer treatment in Payson, one shovel at a time, as the hosts put it. For Rim Country families, cancer care closer to home means fewer long drives down the Beeline at the hardest times. Come stand with the town for a hopeful morning. This is the week’s biggest good news, and it is ours.
- Tue, Nov. 17— The Dreamboats — 301 S McLane, Payson, Tuesday at 7:00 PM. The Dreamboats bring a revival of the golden age of rock and roll to Payson — classic tunes played with the kind of shine that has audiences falling in love with them all over again. It is a school night, yes, but some music is worth the yawns tomorrow. Bring someone who remembers when these songs were new. The hall will be humming by the second chorus.— Festival of Trees Prescott — Sam Hill Warehouse, 232 N Granite St, Prescott, opening Tuesday, November 17 and running to November 21. Five days of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and wreaths, holiday vendors, live entertainment, visits with Santa, and children’s crafts. It is the first great trumpet blast of the Christmas season in the Holds. Go early in the run for the full forest, before the crowds find it. Downtown Prescott wears the season well.
