Fall Events, Plus Prescott’s Connection to the American Revolution

Here is a sampling of just some beloved September events in our great city.

Yavapai County Fair takes place Sept. 4-7 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. This event dates back to 1913 and features fun for the entire family with children’s activities, entertainment, music, rides, vendors, agricultural exhibits and a wide variety of food and attractions.

Prescott Indian Art Market at Sharlot Hall Museum Saturday, Sept. 20-21. This is the 27th annual event, showcasing works of 80+ top native artists.

Hope Fest    Arizona, Sept. 20, on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, welcomes families and friends for a day filled with fun interactive games and activities, live music, a car and bike show and the HOPE Serves Resource Fair.

Yavapai County Stand Down, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sept. 26, at 1040 Whipple Street, offers a variety of services to our veterans including housing and employment assistance, legal and VA benefits support, veterans court, medical and mental health services and more.

Prescott Highland Games and Celtic Faire Sept. 27-28, at “Loch Watson” has something for everyone! There will be live bands, pipe band performances, a Highland dance competition, food vendors, merchandise vendors, a genealogy booth, the Children’s Glen, athletic competitions and more.

The 19th annual Prescott Vette Set All Corvette Car show, Sept. 27-28 will feature a variety of classic and new show-quality Corvettes all around the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza.

Prescott’s Role In the American Revolution

As we move closer to the celebration of America 250, historians remind us that there was a great deal of activity leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. For example, the Continental Army was formed on June 14, 1775, and the Battle of Bunker Hill took place a few days later, on June 17.   

In fact, between the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775 and July 4, 1776, there were several important engagements between British military and General George Washington’s newly formed Continental Army.     

Another interesting fact is that the Prescott family played important early roles in America’s war for independence – two Prescottonians, in particular. Colonel William Prescott was hailed as the heroic commander at the Battle of Bunker Hill, and there is a statue in his honor in Boston today. Physician Dr. Samuel Prescott finished Paul Revere’s historic midnight ride to Concord, because Paul Revere got captured by the British.   

William Hickling Prescott, grandson of Col. William Prescott, was a renowned New England author who famously wrote about Cortez’ conquest of Montezuma in Mexico. He was so admired by Arizona Territory early founders    John Goodwin and Richard McCormick that they named several places in the new Arizona territory and its capitol in honor of W. H. Prescott. So, Prescott did indeed have a role in the war for independence. QCBN

By Phil Goode

Phil Goode is the mayor of Prescott.