It is the time of the year to get outside and participate
by Robert “Bob” Jackson, Mayor, Casa Grande
It is the time of the year to get outside and participate in all the activities offered in the Casa Grande area. There are special events almost every weekend as well as weekday opportunities. While I have often written about many of the things to do in the area, I thought this month I would talk about some that may not be as well publicized.
Do you like soccer? The Grande Sports World, located at the Francisco Grande will once again have several Major League Soccer teams practicing at the facility this winter. The teams generally practice in the morning and practices are open to the public at no cost. Even if the professionals are not there, the youth soccer practices are in the afternoon and the players are some of the top ranked high school age players in the country.
Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the Casa Grande Radio Controlled Airplane Club meets at their airfield off Hauser and Trekell Roads to fly their planes. Again, this event is free to the public. If you are a radio controlled plane user, there is a small fee to participate but it is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. While they meet year round, the winter meets start at 9 am.
One of the more unusual facilities the City of Casa Grande operates is a shooting range. It is open to the public and is a great place to target practice. The range is located on Trekell Road south of I-8 and is generally open everyday.
I have often talked about the hiking trails on Casa Grande Mountain as a place to enjoy the outdoors. It is amazing to see the views from just a few hundred feet above the valley. Trails are marked based on difficulty and can be accessed from one of two trail heads. One trailhead is on the south end of Peart Road and the other off Sunland Gin Road at the west end of Arica Road. Maps can be down-loaded off the City’s website.
Agri-tourism is growing in Pinal County and two that really showcase our agricultural history are Caywood Farms, located east of 11 Mile Corner on Florence Blvd. Tours and activities are available on regular basis; call them to find out more information (520-705-3889). The second is tours of Shamrock Dairy in the Stanfield area. It is an opportunity to see a working dairy farm in action. Growing up I worked at a dairy for a summer and the technology being used today is light years away from what we did growing up.
There are also regular events downtown and throughout the community. In January, the Chamber will hold their annual Home and Garden Show. This event is free to the public and a good way to see what types of services are available locally.
Downtown Casa Grande has several monthly events taking place. Get on their website and sign up for their electronic email notices. Many of the events are free.
Check out the websites for the Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce, Casa Grande Main Street and the City of Casa Grande for regular updates of activities taking place in the area.
This is a great time of year in Arizona, get out and enjoy the many activities that are available to all of us.
