Scottsdale Fair & A Great Community Event

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh, and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights, and hidden gems that make our city great.

Scottsdale Fair is still happening! There’s also a TON of events this weekend. More than any I’ve listed (I think).

Let’s go!

If you've been driving down the 101 and spotted that Ferris wheel lighting up the sky, that's the Scottsdale Fair & Festival at WestWorld and it runs through April 26th! This is such a fun one for families with thrill rides for every age group, classic fair food (hello funnel cake), and all those games where you try to win a giant stuffed animal.

Pro tip: City of Scottsdale employees get free admission Monday through Thursday with a valid employee I.D. at the gates. And if you sign up on their website, you can snag free admission on Monday or Wednesday!

Old Town just got a fresh new hotel option! Hotel Solaya debuted after a full renovation and is now part of Hyatt's JdV portfolio. The 194-room property features a Sonoran Desert-inspired design with sculptural architecture and a tonal palette that plays with light and shadow.

I'm most excited about Ella on the Park, their upcoming restaurant opening later this spring with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Civic Center Park. They've also got Common Ground Bistro in the lobby for coffee and light bites, plus a cabana-lined pool deck called The Pool at Solaya. Looks like a solid spot for staycation vibes!

This one's for the parents! Touch-A-Truck is happening Tuesday, April 28th from 4-7 PM at 14995 North 87th Street. Kids can climb aboard and explore vehicles from Scottsdale Police, Scottsdale Fire, the school district, Scottsdale Harley-Davidson, and more.

Bonus: they're partnering with Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children for a toy drive. Bring a new toy and you'll get a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich. It's free to attend and honestly looks like a blast for the little ones!

On a more serious note, local experts recently shared that Scottsdale could lose a significant portion of its Colorado River water supply in the coming years, according to ABC15.

About 70% of Scottsdale’s municipal water currently comes from the Colorado River. City leaders are exploring options like expanding water recycling, increasing storage capacity, and tapping into groundwater reserves to diversify supply.

It’s a complex issue with long-term implications for growth, development, and cost of living. I’ll keep an eye on how this unfolds and what it means for our community.

Quantum Red is where I go for all my red light therapy, I love that they make it super easy. Their self-serve membership model means you get 24/7 access via their app, so you can squeeze in a 10-minute session whenever it fits your schedule

Their model is simple and perfect for busy schedules like mine. Quantum Red operates as a self-serve membership studio, which means once you’re a member, you get app access straight to the treatment rooms. No waiting around at a front desk. No long appointments. Treatments are quick, powerful 10-minute sessions, and you’re in and out.

Consistency is key with red light therapy. Quantum Red recommends 2 to 3 sessions per week, and many members go even more often. I’ve made it part of my regular routine and love how easy they make it to stick with.

For the first month, Scottsdale Scoop subscribers get 50% off their membership.

If you haven't made your way to Curate Cafe yet, consider this your official nudge. Tucked away in North Scottsdale, this spot is doing coffee and food the right way.

Owner and award-winning private chef Joseph Lerner roasts all the beans fresh daily in-house using a gorgeous 1,600lb Portuguese-made Joper roaster. The result is some of the most flavorful coffee you'll find around here. Locals on Yelp rave about the lattes, the breakfast sandwiches, and the overall vibe. One reviewer called it "the best coffee shop in all of Scottsdale" and I get it.

What I really love is that Joseph built the cafe tables himself and even makes custom charcuterie boards. The space feels personal and intentional, not like another cookie-cutter coffee chain.

They also host pop-up dinners (there's a Southern-inspired one coming up on April 24th!) and can accommodate private events for up to 30 guests.

I stopped by Hearsay a couple of weeks ago and knew I had to write about it. They recently redesigned the interior and it looks so good inside now. They even put in a listening room with a vinyl collection, just 🤌🏽.

Hearsay is located in The Esplanade and it's the kind of spot that works for a casual date or something a bit more dressed up. The vibe can go either way which is nice.

The food is what really got me though. The jalapeño cornbread skillet comes out warm with just the right kick. I kept going back for more. And the chili lime roasted chicken breast hit the spot too. Tender, flavorful, exactly what you want when you're trying to have a good meal with company.

If you're looking for a date night spot that feels elevated but still comfortable, this one's worth checking out, especially if you’re close to the Biltmore.

Thursday, April 23

🍕 Pizza-Making Class | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

🌅 Sunsets & Sips: Road Trip Edition | Taliesin West | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🎪 Scottsdale Fair & Festival | WestWorld of Scottsdale | All Day (multiple days)

Friday, April 24

🎭 Ragtime | Herberger Theater Center | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

🍷 Pigs & Pinot | ADERO Scottsdale Resort | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

🛍️ Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market | WestWorld of Scottsdale | All Day (multiple days)

Saturday, April 25

🤸 Pilates After Dark | The Scottsdale Resort and Spa | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

🎸 The Robert Cray Band | Talking Stick Resort | 8:00 PM

🎨 Cattle Track Tour | Cattle Track Arts Compound | All Day (multiple days)

🔪 Knife Skills Class | Classic Cooking Academy | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

🍷 Saturday Wine Dinner | Classic Cooking Academy | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

🧘 The Wellness Reset | Scottsdale Fashion Square Rooftop | 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

💪 Spring Into Summer: Sculpt + Pool Pass | Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort | 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM

🏓 WMP Eyewear x Scottsdale Pickleball Club | Court Club Social | DC Ranch Village Tennis Center | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

🤠 Outriding the Devil – Arizona Premiere with Ned LeDoux | 1825 East Elliot Road | 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Sunday, April 26

🎤 Ali Wong | Talking Stick Resort | 7:00 PM

🎵 World Choir Workshop: Alpine Yodeling | Musical Instrument Museum | Check Website for Time

🧘 Vuori Kierland Commons x Body Alive | Kierland Commons | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

💃 Pilates After Dark: The Festival Edit | The Scottsdale Resort and Spa | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

💪 Move for Confidence 2026 | Scottsdale Fashion Square Rooftop | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

SalesBytes is the weekly newsletter breaking down exactly how sales teams are using AI to close more deals, cut busywork, and build pipelines that run themselves. Real workflows, real tools, zero fluff — delivered every week so you can actually use it Monday morning.

It's free, it's fast, and it might be the most valuable 10 minutes of your week.

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $9.3M! Everything you’d want, a stunning entrance and beautiful mountain views. The interior and backyard are both stunning.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.

Scottsdale Scoop is 100% free and independently run (it's just me over here). Your support helps me keep bringing you the best local spots, events, and inside scoop on what's happening in Scottsdale every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping the Scoop going so we can have more fun in community events! really appreciate all the support all of you 🙂 - John

We just dropped hats! Snag one here.