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Wonderade Punch List
Phoenix Weekend
Friday, Oct 23
Sunny near 79 Saturday and cloudy near 81 Sunday, with the State Fair open all weekend, ASU at home Saturday and the Cardinals at home Sunday, so check Getting around before you drive. Saturday has the Spookie Stripes Safari and The Lightning Thief; Sunday adds Dinosaurs in the Desert.
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The weather read
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Saturday
79° / 58°
Sunny, 9% rain.
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Sunday
81° / 70°
Cloudy, 1% rain.
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Punch List rule this weekend: Warm afternoon: do the open-sun stuff in the morning and save shade for later.
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Getting around this weekend
Friday to Sunday · Arizona State Fairgrounds
When
The barns close at 9 pm, and the carnival winds down each night when the La Grande XL Wheel goes dark. (Arizona State Fair)Areas to avoid
Fair traffic funnels onto 19th Avenue for the Monte Vista and Encanto lot entrances, from I-10 exit 143 C and I-17 exit 197. (Arizona State Fair)Closures
Friday and Saturday: McDowell Road is closed between 15th and 19th avenues after 9 pm on Friday and Saturday. (Arizona State Fair)
Shuttles and transit
Free park-and-ride shuttles leave the Phoenix College West Lot (1202 W Thomas Rd). Friday: first at 5 pm, last to the fair 9:40 pm. Saturday and Sunday: first at 12 pm, last to the fair 8:40 pm. The last ride back leaves the fairgrounds at 11 pm. (Arizona State Fair)Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, Waymo) drops off and picks up at the southwest corner of the West Lot, at 19th Avenue and Encanto. (Arizona State Fair)Parking
The fair's own North and West lots are $20 a car ($45 oversized), fees included; reserved VIP parking in the North Lot is $62.74. Other lots nearby are private. (Arizona State Fair)Not published: City of Phoenix Street Transportation and Phoenix Police had no 2026 State Fair closure or detour notice we could find; the only closure published is the fair's own McDowell Road note (checked Oct 25); Valley Metro published no State Fair service change or event shuttle we could find (its alerts page redirects to an app article; checked Oct 25); ADOT's weekend advisory for Oct 23-26 lists no restriction near the fairgrounds (its closures are on SR 51, Loop 202, Loop 101, Loop 303 and SR 347); azstatefair.com publishes no stroller rule and no best or worst times to arrive. Check the official page before you go. Not going? Heads up: Fighter Practice Youth Night in the plans is only 0.5 miles from Arizona State Fairgrounds, so allow extra time getting there.
For families: Fine for kids, with tickets
Kids 4 and under get in free; kids 5 to 12 are $12 and adults $20, taxes and fees included. (Arizona State Fair)Friday: Friday before 5 pm is the cheap window: $5 admission and $5 games, bought on site. (Arizona State Fair) Friday: Also Friday, noon to 7 pm: bring eight cans of nonperishable food to the gate for one free admission; the food goes to St. Mary's Food Bank and Operation Santa Claus. (Arizona State Fair) Friday: Oct 23 is a $5 Foodie Friday: food stands sell $5 tasting portions from noon to 6 pm. (Arizona State Fair) Sunday: Sunday is a wristband day: $60 buys unlimited rides until 9 pm plus 2 free games; buy and redeem it by 7 pm (the Sling Shot is not included). (Arizona State Fair) Pick up a free lost-child wristband at Guest Services (southwest corner of the Coliseum, or inside the Fair Marketplace) and write your contact details on it. (Arizona State Fair)Bags can be at most 12 by 12 inches; diaper bags are exempt but inspected. Each person may bring one sealed water bottle, and refill stations are free. (Arizona State Fair)Wagons (and wheelchairs) can be rented at the fair from Copper Star Home Medical Supplies. (Arizona State Fair)
Saturday · Mountain America Stadium
When
Closures
ASU's lot directions say Packard Drive is closed to northbound traffic; reach the Maroon Lot from Rio Salado instead. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))Shuttles and transit
Light rail stops just west of the stadium at Veterans Way/College Ave; trains come every 15 minutes, every 20 after 7 pm on Saturdays. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))The Tempe Streetcar stops at Marina Heights on the stadium's north side, and the free Orbit runs until 10 pm on Saturdays. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))Parking
Public pay lots open 5.5 hours before kickoff at the stadium's south and north ends: $20 a car, $100 for RVs and buses. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))Not published: City of Tempe, Tempe Police and Valley Metro had no game-day closure or service notice for Oct 24 that we could find (checked Oct 25); ASU's Kansas State game-day guide (Oct 22) is a flipbook of images, not text; it was not read, so nothing from it is printed. Check the official page before you go.
For families: Fine for kids, with tickets
Umbrella strollers are allowed, full-size strollers are not, and bags must be clear and no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))Free pregame concert: Sparky, the Spirit Squad and the marching band play on the south side of Desert Financial Arena one hour before kickoff. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))Get a Sun Devil Locator wristband for your child at any Guest Assistance Center and write your name, phone number and seat on it. (Sun Devil Athletics (ASU))
Sunday · State Farm Stadium
When
Areas to avoid
Game traffic comes in on Camelback Road from Loop 101 and on 91st Avenue; follow Glendale police and parking staff. (Arizona Cardinals)Closures
Separately, ADOT has eastbound Loop 101 closed between 75th and 51st avenues from 10 pm Friday to 5 am Monday, with the Bell Road and Union Hills Drive on-ramps closed. (Arizona Department of Transportation)Shuttles and transit
Rideshare and family drop-off and pick-up is in the Black Lot, south of the stadium. (Arizona Cardinals)Parking
Every car needs a parking pass; the Black Lot is the day-of lot for fans without a pre-sold pass. Lots close 1 hour after the game. (Arizona Cardinals)Best times to travel
Stadium gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and the lots 4 hours before; cars may not wait on city streets before the lots open. (Arizona Cardinals)Not published: City of Glendale, Glendale Police and Valley Metro had no 2026 game-day closure, detour or shuttle notice for Oct 25 that we could find (checked Oct 25); The Cardinals do not print single-game parking prices on the parking page. Check the official page before you go.
For families: Fine for kids, with tickets
Children 24 months or younger get in without a ticket on a lap pass, one per adult ticket, asked for at the gate with the child present. (Arizona Cardinals)Only small umbrella-style strollers are allowed; large strollers, wagons and car seats are not, and diaper bags must be clear. (Arizona Cardinals)Pick up a Safe in the Seat child locator wristband at any Guest Services booth and write your seat and phone number on it. (Arizona Cardinals)
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Saturday plan |
 Morning |
The Phoenix Zoo and Keebler team up again for the Spookie Stripes Safari. Book ahead and go in the morning, before the open sun warms things up.
Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Center for Nature Conservation · Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun · Book ahead
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| Afternoon |
Animal Crossing fans can tour SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium with a game twist, and it's indoors for the warm afternoon. Book ahead and check hours first.
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium · Price not listed · Indoors · Book ahead
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 Afternoon |
A solar science session for curious kids, held indoors on Camelback Rd. The listing gives no time, so confirm before you go.
2501 E Camelback Rd · Price not listed · Indoors
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 Evening |
Fighter Practice Youth Night at Encanto Park Sports Complex is an outdoor evening option. The listing is thin, so check what it involves and when it starts.
Encanto Park Sports Complex · Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun
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 Evening |
Valley Youth Theatre's run of The Lightning Thief is a treat for Percy Jackson readers. Spots are limited and the listed time looks garbled, so book now and confirm the showtime.
Valley Youth Theatre · Price not listed · Indoors · Book now, limited spots
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Also Saturday: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit is an indoor play stop at the Childrens Museum of Phoenix, running into January. (Price not listed · Indoors)
Also Saturday: CRUMC Halloween Trunk-Or-Treat & Fall Festival on N Central Ave is a costume friendly backup if your plans shift. (Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun)
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Sunday plan |
| 9 to 10:30 am |
Start Sunday at the zoo's Dinosaurs in the Desert while the morning is still cool, since it sits in the open sun. The listing says to book ahead, so get tickets first.
Phoenix Zoo · Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun · Book ahead
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| Morning |
The Phoenix Zoo and Keebler host the Spookie Stripes Safari for a second year, and Sunday morning is another chance to go. Book ahead and check hours first.
Phoenix Zoo/Arizona Center for Nature Conservation · Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun · Book ahead
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| Afternoon |
The Animal Crossing tour at SEA LIFE runs again Sunday, an easy indoor afternoon for game fans. Tickets should be booked ahead.
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium · Price not listed · Indoors · Book ahead
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| Evening |
Fighter Practice Youth Night is back at Encanto Park on Sunday evening. Confirm the time and what to bring, since the listing has few details.
Encanto Park Sports Complex · Price not listed · Outdoors, open sun
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| Evening |
Sunday is the last day of the Lightning Thief run at Valley Youth Theatre, so it's the final chance. Book now and double check the curtain time.
Valley Youth Theatre · Price not listed · Indoors · Book now, limited spots
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Also Sunday: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: A Grr-ific Exhibit at the Childrens Museum of Phoenix is an easy indoor swap if the plan above runs long. (Price not listed · Indoors)
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Heads up: World of Illumination: Zombie Zoo Halloween Experience takes over Tempe Diablo Stadium Saturday and Sunday. Expect crowds and traffic nearby, so route around it.
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Dinner, sorted · Albertsons
Sheet Pan Chicken Night
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Chicken drumsticks, thighs or leg quarters at Albertsons give the most protein for the money in this week's ads. Bone in pieces stay juicy on a sheet pan with potatoes, and kids can eat drumsticks by hand. |
| Signature Select Fresh Chicken Drumsticks, Thighs or Leg Quarters |
$1.29 lb |
| Signature Select Idaho Russet Potatoes 5 lb bag |
$1.99 ea |
Ad prices good through Tuesday, Oct 27.
How to cook it: Toss the chicken and cubed russets with oil, salt and paprika, then roast at 425 for 40 to 45 minutes until the chicken reads 165.
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Runner-up dinner · Safeway
Fish Taco Night
Extra jumbo shrimp at Safeway is the runner up for a lot of protein for the money. Shrimp tacos with avocado come together fast and let everyone build their own. Waterfront Bistro Extra Jumbo Raw Shrimp 16 to 20-ct. ($5.00 lb), Hass Avocado (4 for $5.00).
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The weekend bonus
A pumpkin cake roll turns dessert into the activity: let the kids slice it, plate it and serve it for a Sunday treat.
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Quick grocery wins |
| Signature SELECT Boneless Pork Top Loin Roast: 2 lbs for Safeway · about 36 g protein per $ |
$5.00 |
| Waterfront Bistro Salmon 32 oz frozen Albertsons · about 19 g protein per $ |
$9.99 ea |
| Simple Truth Organic Milk Half Gallon Fry's Food Stores · about 15 g protein per $ |
$3.99 |
| Boneless London Broil or Bottom Round Roast Fry's Food Stores · about 14 g protein per $ |
$6.99/lb |
Ads run Oct 21 to Oct 27. Prices can vary by store, so check your local ad. Protein figures use USDA values and the weight stated in the ad.
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Good news: Phoenix neighbors have filled Burton Barr Central Library with colorful handmade nichos for its Día de los Muertos celebration, each one a personal tribute. A scavenger hunt leads visitors through the library, and the display runs through November 6. (City of Phoenix (Phoenix Public Library))
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