Stagecoach Days Gallop Back to Pacana Park This Fall

Maricopa’s cherished Stagecoach Days festival is making a comeback this fall at Pacana Park.

Inaugurated on May 3, 1959, the inaugural Stagecoach Days commemorated the history of Maricopa Wells, a historic site located eight miles north of modern Maricopa. This event marked a century since the establishment of the Butterfield Overland Express and Mail Company, which transported mail and passengers across the country.

Initial contributions aimed to help settle debts from building the Rotary Pool. The festival evolved over the years until its last full-scale occurrence in 2013. Subsequent versions fizzled out, leading to the city’s indefinite cancellation of the event in 2017, as focus shifted towards the newer Merry Copa festival.

“Stagecoach Days was once a cherished tradition in Maricopa, and we’re thrilled to reintroduce it,” said Quinn Konold, the community enrichment director. The aim is to reignite community spirit while honoring long-standing traditions, ensuring both longtime residents and newcomers can engage meaningfully.

Elle Ortega, a city spokesperson, confirmed the event is still in the early planning stages.

The festival will take place at Pacana Park, the city’s first municipal park, which has recently undergone significant upgrades. Ortega described the location as a tribute to Maricopa’s roots and its growth over the years.

Scheduled for October 24 to 26, the full agenda of activities has yet to be finalized, though it is expected to echo traditions from past festivals.

Historic iterations included stagecoach rides, BBQs on cotton trailers, and late-night hoedowns that kept the old barn alive until dawn, according to the Maricopa Historical Society.

Future events saw the introduction of skydiving, horse racing, rodeo performances, and guest appearances from celebrities like Amanda “Miss Kitty” Blake from Gunsmoke.

The objective is to establish Stagecoach Days as an annual celebration coinciding with the city’s incorporation in October, Konold revealed.

To ensure widespread community support, various local organizations are collaborating to shape the festival. “These groups will bring creativity and passion to life through events leading up to the main celebration,” he added.

Ortega noted, “It’s all about coming together, just like we did back in the day.”