Howdy Partners!
A visiting wrangler from New Mexico sat with me on the deck of the Jersey Lilly Saloon Sunday, sipping a brew and watching Dogtoberfest spill over the Plaza (more dogs than humans, I'll wager) when he told me he never comes to Prescott without his camera.
I understood. This Prescott Cowgirl carries hers nearly everywhere, everyday, because we have such beautiful light 
in our mountain city and even on the rare days there's not an event in historic downtown Prescott, there's always a beguiling Kodak moment. I start this blog with two from our Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza--one I call Autumn Rose and the other, our Bubbling Fountain at Noon. Beauty.
Speaking of beauty, the grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum are always photo-worthy, but you'll find even more this Saturday and Sunday at the 31st Annual Folk Music Festival--our state's oldest continual folk music gathering.
This year more than 150 of the state's best folk music performers will deliver a wide-ranging array of styles, including our State Historian and well-revered musician/humorist Marshall Trimble, pictured here. Other groups such as Howlin' at the Moon, Prescott Playboys and others join soloist Katie Lee who celebrates her 90th birthday on Saturday!
Come delight to great folk music amidst the shaded grounds daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and take in some workshops in dulcimers, mandolin, musical saws, and more. An instrument swap meet Sunday and impromptu jam sessions add to the fun.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for members and free for children under 18. And kids aren't forgotten with family-friendly music including the Super Silliest Band!
Two more incredible deals for duffers have been announced. First: now through October 15, two people playing golf at StoneRidge Golf Course stay free at the less-than-year-old Comfort Suites in Prescott Valley where each of the 100 suites have double queen or king beds, refrigerator, microwave, other amenities and provide a hot breakfast and wireless Internet.
And, as the infomercial kings love to say, "Wait! There's More!"
Book your room and golf Sunday through Thursday and you pay only $69 each (plus tax) which includes practice balls and golf cart equipped with GPS. The 7,052 yard, par-72 StoneRidge is stunning with its ponderosa and pinon pines, native grasses and granite rock formations and more than a 350 foot elevation change. This will go fast, so call StoneRidge now for your Stay Free/Golf for Less package at 928-772-6500.
And then, from now through October 31, enjoy "Golf and Grill"-- 18 holes of golf and breakfast or lunch from the StoneRidge Grill-- you select from the menu. Sunday through Friday is only $39.95; Saturday $49.95, plus tax. Please mention Golf and Grill and The Prescott Cowgirl when you call for reservations.
Also don't forget the ongoing golf deal at Antelope Hills Golf Course: free golf for two with the purchase of two or more nights (double occupancy) at 13 area hotels. Follow this link to learn more.
October and pumpkins just go together, and Chino Valley's Pumpkin Festival is a wondrous way to ease into the fall season.
Every Saturday and Sunday throughout October at Windmill Farms at JC Ranch in Chino Valley, thousands of visitors troop to celebrate fall in this beautiful rural setting. In its third year, it includes family activities like tractor hay rides, a petting zoo, pie eating contests, pumpkin painting contests, arts and crafts, food, beverages, live music, dancing and more. Cost is only $2, or $5 for an all-day (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) events pass. For more information, phone 928-899-3561 or go online to www.jcranchaz.com. JC Ranch is located at 1460 West Road 4 North in Chino Valley and Windmill Farms has numerous lakeside walking paths to further enjoy the day.
Fall also brings out the bargains--and the beautiful and award-winning 
Pleasant Street Inn Bed & Breakfast in historic downtown Prescott is offering a free third night with a two-night stay in their Terrace Suite with private deck or the luxurious Pine View Suite with fireplace shown here. Owner/Innkeeper Jeanne Watkins is making this valid every day through Nov. 15 so book now for a romantic getaway in one of Arizona's 10 Best B & B's (Phoenix Magazine), an easy walk to the Plaza, surrounding shops, restaurants and Sharlot Hall Museum. For more info on Pleasant Street, visit their website at www.PleasantBandB.com or phone 877-226-7128.
At Prescott Valley's Civic Center is an ongoing and extraordinary art exhibit few locals know about--the Solon H. Borglum sculpture display. If you're a fan of the iconic Captain Buckey O'Neill sculpture on the Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza done by Borglum, brother to Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, you'll enjoy this display, from finely-crafted bronze sculptures to plaster models on the four floors of PVCC. Expect to see some other of his works in the new Prescott Valley Public Library to be dedicated Saturday, Oct. 10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Prescott Valley Civic Center is at 7501 Civic Circle.
Until We Meet Again,
Happy Trails!
The Prescott Cowgirl
