Cave Creek is a modern day frontier paradise. Nestled in the foothills just north of Phoenix and Scottsdale, it is where the rugged Sonoran Desert meets the civilized world.
Photography by Thomas McGuire
The town is perfectly uncivilized, a unique enclave where authentic Western Americana thrives. Numerous restaurants, art galleries, boutiques and saloons line the thoroughfare just a stone’s throw away from hundreds of miles of horseback riding, hiking, and biking trails. These trails offer access to several thousand acres of Arizona’s most pristine high desert. Though a small town, Cave Creek offers a tremendous amount to Valley residents and their family who are looking for a fun escape.
After coming to town as a day-tripper from Scottsdale, I decided to make my home in Cave Creek. As a horseman, there are few places I could live that would offer me as much. Scottsdale has promoted itself as the “West’s most Western Town” for decades, but in my estimation, Cave Creek is really the most authentic Western environment the Valley of the Sun has to offer. Preserving and sharing our community’s rich Western heritage and our natural environment are among my commitments as Town Councilman, and in conjunction with business owners and dedicated volunteers, I have been working to do that.
Cave Creek does not just appeal to the cowboy in all of us, but the child, the adventurer, the connoisseur, and the romantic. Cave Creek offers visitors and residents a wide array of activities and entertainment with bull riding, comedy shows, live music and much much more every week. This fall brings with it many special events to bolster the already exciting environment of our eclectic community.
Photography by Thomas McGuire
The Taste of Cave Creek event, a culinary festival spotlighting the fare of dozens of local restaurants, takes place on Sept. 29 and 30. The annual Wayne Wilson’s Children’s Charity Rodeo and Carnival is Oct. 8 through the 11. Cave Creek will celebrate Halloween with its second annual Wicked event on Oct. 30. Wicked is a town wide Halloween party for the whole family that begins in the morning with events for children and will go deep into the night.
Running Nov. 4 through 7, Cave Creek will celebrate our Cowboy heritage with the annual Wild West Days celebration. This year’s Wild West Days will include a parade, bathtub races, and a memorial horseback ride honoring fallen service members. The following weekend Cave Creek will host a bicycle festival from Nov. 12 to the 14. During Winter 2011, Cave Creek will be home to a Hot Air Balloon Festival followed by the annual Fiesta Days Celebration and PRCA Rodeo in the Spring. For a full schedule of these events and more please visit www.cavecreekchamber.org and click on the events tab.
