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Media Contact: Margo Kesler
Tel: 602-264-2655
Email: Margo Media
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Ditch the Basket - This is No Ordinary Picnic
It's The Great Arizona Picnic™
Saturday and Sunday April 17th -18th

(Scottsdale, AZ) - February 17, 2004 - On Saturday, April 17th and Sunday, April 18th, The Scottsdale Culinary Festival™ feeds your inner desires. For the past 25 years, the Great Arizona Picnic TM has attracted foodies, families, and fun-loving crowds to the Festival's most largely attended event. From noon to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday the Scottsdale Civic Center Plaza will transform into a food lover's paradise.

The two day picnic provides an outdoor arena to sample culinary masterpieces showcased by the Valley's finest chefs and restauranteurs in an event that's perfect for the whole family. The $5 entry fee includes continuous musical entertainment by the Groove Merchants, Azz Izz Band, and many other local musical sensations, as well as a Kids Zone complete with games and entertainment so mom and dad can take a load off.

On the same great weekend, sample marvelous flavors of Absolut Vodka from the Absolut Tent or enjoy a variety of Margaritas from Garduño's Margarita Village. Don't miss this Mexican fiesta, complete with a mariachi band, flamenco dancers, quesadillas, tacos, and piñatas.

The fun doesn't end there; you can also enjoy a beer lover's paradise just over the fence at the Southwest Festival of Beers TM. Admittance to the Great Arizona Picnic is $5 with discounted tickets available at Safeway for $4.50. Additional sampling costs are not included.

The Scottsdale League for the Arts (SLA) contributes to several Valley organizations, including the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, the Arts in Education Council, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. SLA is a non-profit volunteer organization made up of concerned and caring individuals who invest their time and effort to raise funds for the arts and art education programs.

SLA is looking for positive and motivated people to volunteer at the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. It's a wonderful way to get involved in the community and expand your knowledge about the arts and culinary fields. To find out more information on becoming a volunteer please call Scottsdale League for the Arts at (480) 945-7193.

For a full schedule of events please visit www.ScottsdaleCulinaryFestival.org or call (480) 945-7193. Memberships are available for $125 annually. This is a fun way to become involved in your community and expand your knowledge in the art and culinary fields.

For media inquiries please contact Margo Media at (602) 264-2655.

Great Arizona Picnic and Southwest Festival of Beers Musical Entertainment Schedule:
Saturday April 17, 2004
Beer Garden	1:00 - 6:00 PM	The Rave, Rock and Roll favorites
Center Stage	12 noon - 1:45 PM	Sunday Afternoon, Pop
	2:15 - 4:15 PM	Alice Tatum, Jazz and Pop
	4:45 - 6:45 PM	Katrina Carlson, Pop, Light Rock
	7:15 - 9:15 PM	Big Nick and the Gila Monsters Blues
Amphitheater Stage	12 noon - 2 PM	Bario Latino, Latin flavored Rock and R&B
	2:30 - 4:30 PM	Desert Gumbo, Zydeco flavored R&B
	5:00 - 7:00 PM	Sistah Blue, Blues
	7:30 - 9:30 PM	Azz Izz Band, Worldbeat Pop
Sunday April 18 2004
Stage	Time	Band / Genre
Beer Garden	1:00 - 5:30 PM	David Dodt Band, Rock and Roll favorites
Center Stage	12 noon - 1:45 PM	The Elliots, Rock
	2:15 - 4:00 PM	Gigi Dixon, Variety
	4:30 - 6:30 PM	Walt Richardson Band, Reggae
Amphitheater Stage	2:30 - 4:15 PM	Groove Merchants, Rock
	4:45 - 6:30 PM	Khani Cole, Contemporary Jazz, R&B