The spotlight is back on us, Arizona! This is one of the best times of the year to be in the Valley, and whether you’re looking forward to the Pro Bowl, the Phoenix Open, or just ready to watch the biggest football game of the year, we hope you have a bit of time to kick back and enjoy the fun and beautiful weather.
We’ve done a little research for you and can let you know some of what’s going on. If the best of the best is your thing, watch for your favorite wide receiver today at the NFL’s Pro Bowl out at University of Phoenix stadium in Glendale. Want to ditch work and hang out with a few thousand friends all week in the sun (and maybe rain?)? Starting tomorrow, head up to Scottsdale for the PGA tour’s favorite stop, the Phoenix Open, to enjoy great golf during the day and concerts at the Birds Nest at night—we’re personally looking forward to seeing golf fans get down to Afrojack! Hanging out in downtown Phoenix this week? Check out the NFL Experience and other fun events at Super Bowl Central. And of course Glendale, the home of this year’s Super Bowl XLIX, will be filled with fans from Seattle, New England, and everywhere in between. If you’re in the mood to rub shoulders with the football greats, it will cost you a few pennies, but imagine the stories you’ll have when you tell your friends about “that time I went to the football Hall of Fame’s All Star Benefit.” Not really a sports person? Well, the Glendale Chocolate Affaire is also here to help you get your fill of the sweet stuff. There’s also the Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose food and wine event up at West World to fill your stomach and that of someone in need.
Interestingly, the City of Phoenix is temporarily relaxing its public open liquor container laws a bit for pedestrians at Super Bowl Central downtown. If you’re within the designated area and on foot, you can hop from place to place and take your alcoholic beverage with you as you would in Vegas. Keep in mind, though, if you head to Scottsdale’s Entertainment District Experience on Saddlebag Trail and Indian Plaza streets, alcohol will be confined to bars, restaurants, and their patios.
No matter what you decide to do, please have fun and stay safe. Arizona really does have the harshest DUI laws in the country, and we want everyone—residents and visitors alike—to have only great memories. Even though the Glendale Police Department is not scheduled to have any official DUI task forces, expect to see a lot of very alert officers across the West Valley. Tempe’s police department will also be pitching in to help other jurisdictions. Scottsdale will have a large law enforcement presence, both in Old Town and up by TPC for the Open. In the past, there have been as many as 120 DUI arrests stemming from the Open alone. If you’re impaired, please don’t drive. And remember that there are many factors that contribute to alcohol impairment, including what you’re eating and drinking, so don’t let a BAC number on a card mislead you.
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