Head to Adventure in Payson

“Arizona’s Cool Mountain Town”

Looking for a place to have fun? Somewhere cool and beautiful with outdoor adventures, exciting events, or just a place to relax away from home without breaking the bank to get there? Head to Payson and the Rim Country, less than 90 minutes from the Phoenix Metro area.

Rim Country is undeniably gorgeous! The dramatic escarpment towers 2,000 ft over the communities below. It is covered in forest and grassland and is home to over 239 species of birds as well as Rocky Mountain elk, mule and whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, fox, javelina and coyote.

Sitting on the edge of the world’s largest stand of Ponderosa Pine trees, this big land offers all kinds of recreation opportunities. Fishermen enjoy abundant trout streams; hunters stalk elk, deer, turkey, bear and more; hikers and mountain bikers explore the Payson Area Trails System or other more challenging trails. Forest Service campgrounds are plentiful.

Area attractions include the stunning Tonto Natural Bridge State Park – the largest travertine bridge in the world, Shoofly Indian Archaeological site, Tonto Fish Hatchery, Fossil Creek Llama ranch, Mazatzal Casino, and museums from the Rim Country Museum to the Zane Grey Cabin to the Strawberry Schoolhouse – oldest in Arizona! Scenic drives abound to take in the breadth of nature’s beauty.

Rim Country is also known for an array of events ranging from art and craft shows to rodeos to festivals catering to fiddlers and quilters. Several events have been given official Arizona Centennial designation, including the 3rd Annual Arizona Mountain High Games.

Come Play – and Compete – in the Mountains

Celebrating the great state of Arizona and its wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities, the Mountain High Games take place June 1-3, 2012 at the Payson Event Center. Professional and amateur athletes from all over will compete for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.

Look at all the different competitions! Mountain Bike Race, 5k Trail Run, Dutch Oven Cooking Contest, 3D Archery Competition, ATV Rodeo, ATV Trail Rides, Sawdust Games, Pinecone Throwing Championships, Old Fashioned Horseshoe Tournament, and a large Demolition Derby.

The Games offer exceptional fun for all the family. ATV Trail riders will experience some of Rim Country’s most seldom seen backcountry along with singing cowboys and stories about outlaws. The ATV Rodeo with races and obstacle course is open to everyone from age 8 and up! Light-hearted fun includes the Sawdust Pit Grab for kids, the Women’s Rolling Pin Throw, and the Cigar Smoking Fire Fighting Competition. The athletic events are open to serious athletes and beginners alike. The Demolition Derby is for Trucks Only so imagine the crashing and banging on the way to the winners circle!

For more in depth information about the Games, call or check online.

928-474-5242, ext 7, www.paysonrimcountry.com/mountainhighgames

It’s Rodeo Time

The Gary Hardt Memorial Rodeo is coming up on May 18-19 in Payson. Maybe you are a die-hard fan and have your plans already made. But maybe you have never seen a rodeo and wonder what to expect…

Come up to Payson and see what rodeo is all about! Rodeo is about tradition and hard-won skills; it’s about horses and bulls, popcorn and frybread, about removing your hat when the flag goes by and wearing pink on Friday to help local breast cancer support groups. Rodeo is about taking terrific action photos, buying a souvenir for the folks back home, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

Voted “America’s Best Small Rodeo”, Payson’s spring rodeo attracts over 200 contestants. The gates open at 5pm for pre-rodeo entertainment and performances start at 7pm. Come on Thursday for women’s barrel racing (admission a can of food). Friday night is the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” performance, and Saturday is the “Patriot” performance to honor wounded and fallen veterans.

Tickets are $14 for adults 12 to 64, seniors are $12 and children 8-12 are $10 with 7 and under free. All active military are admitted at no charge. For additional information call Bill Armstrong. Tickets may be purchased online.

928-474-9440, www.paysonrimcountry.com  and www.ticketforce.com

Million Dollar Jackpot Winner at Mazatzal Casino!

It’s “Magic in the Mountains” at Mazatzal Hotel & Casino, and one local lady living near Payson certainly felt that magic recently when she won over $1 million dollars on a Rocket Gaming Systems Gold Series line of Class II slot machine. This lucky lady was awarded a prize of $1,033,554 while playing Rocket’s Kingdom Cash video slot machine game at Mazatzal.

This marked the first million dollar prize of 2012 and became the 15th Gold Series top progressive prize since the game was introduced in 2009. To date the Gold Series line has awarded over $800 million in prizes. Mazatzal was the first casino in the state to have the Rocket’s Class II slot machines. Be sure to go by and check out the winning machine next time you’re at Mazatzal!

Mazatzal Hotel & Casino offers over 400 slots, video poker, live poker and blackjack, top-notch hotel accommodations, dining, and entertainment. In fact, back by popular demand, on July 28th Mazatzal will present Surfin Safari, Tribute to the Beach Boys. Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door. Call or visit the website.

800-777-7529, www.777PLAY.com

Get Away and Play at Kohl’s Ranch Lodge

Kohl’s Ranch Lodge is located on the banks of Tonto Creek in the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the world. The resort features studio efficiencies, studios, and 1- and 2-bedroom cabins. Fresh mountain air, moderate year-round temperatures and activities ranging from hiking, mountainside horseback riding and trout fishing to lazy creek-side strolls are all available from your comfortable Kohl’s Ranch Lodge mountain getaway.

202 South Kohl’s Ranch Lodge Road, Payson, Arizona 85541
928-478-4211, KohlsRanch.com