Photo: The butterflies are back at the Desert Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy Desert Botanical Garden
Free museum admission
Museum Day Live! (Sat Sept. 21). Free. Smithsonian magazine and participating local museums nationwide offer free admission. Times vary. Download and print tickets in advance. Check website for participating museums. smithsonianmag.com/museumday
Food festivals
Arizona Margarita, Mojito, Craft Beer, & Food Truck Festival (Sat. Sept. 21). 4-10 pm. $10-$50; ages 17 & under free. More than 40 tasting stations of handcrafted margaritas, mojitos, craft beers, wines and spirits. Riverview Park, 2100 W. Rio Salado Pkwy, Mesa. thepartydogs.com
Arizona Donut & Ice Cream Festival (Sun. Sept. 22). Noon-4 pm Each business will have a donut or ice cream that is $5 or less. More than 15 local donut and ice cream businesses. Take a bite into a fluffy donut paired with cool, creamy ice cream from different businesses. Wash it down with a cold beer or paired cocktail. The Pressroom, 441 W. Madison St., Phoenix. visitphoenix.com
Creative events for kids
Kids Floral Design Class & Tour (Sat. Sept. 21). 10-11 am. $20. The kids will create a colorful, seasonal arrangement in cute tinted Mason jars and learn about flower prep and handling. Arizona Flower Market, 2050 S. 16th St. #105, Phoenix. azflowermarket.com
STEAM Exploration Day (Sat. Sept. 21). 11 am-1 pm. Free. Experience an afternoon filled with innovative games, experiments and loads of surprises as we celebrate the important of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. Desert Ridge Marketplace, 21001 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. shopdesertridge.com
The butterflies are back
Mighty Monarchs (Sept. 21-Nov. 3). 9:30 am-5 pm. Included with admission. Experience a diverse kaleidoscope of butterflies from the Southwest, and discover the magnificence of the mighty monarch butterfly – from their amazing migration to the plants they need to survive. Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix. dbg.org
Break a word record
Walk to End Homelessness (Sat Sept 21). 6-9 am. $35 adults, $10 ages 3-17; registration includes a t-shirt, flip-flops and entrance to the zoo. Break the Guinness World Record for the largest 1K thong sandal race. Benefits UMOM New Day Centers, the largest shelter for homeless families in Arizona. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N Galvin Pkwy. umom.org/walk
Time to get dirty
Muddy Princess (Sun. Sept. 22). 7 am-4 pm. $79. Outdoor 3.1mile obstacle mud course for women only. For ages 9 and up. Arizona Horse Lovers Park, 19224 N. Tatum Blvd., Phoenix. muddyprincess.com
