The Grand Canyon may be 5 million years old with a human history stretching back over 12 millennia, but it wasn’t until 1869—just 150 years ago—when U.S. Army Major John Henry Powell led the first expedition through the canyon on the Colorado River that the Grand Canyon was first recognized for the tourist mecca it would eventually become.
In fact, when Lt. Joseph Christmas Ives completed his 1858 steamboat expedition just 11 years earlier, he claimed that “the region is, of course, altogether valueless […] It seems intended by nature that the Colorado River, along the greater portion of its lonely and majestic way, shall be forever unvisited and undisturbed”.
Fast forward to February 26, 1919, when President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the Grand Canyon a national park. 100 years later, the Grand Canyon National Park welcomes over 6 million visitors each year, and the canyon’s lonely and majestic allure is as solid as rock. If only Lt. Joseph Christmas Ives could see the Grand Canyon now!
100th Anniversary Events
The Grand Canyon National Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a year-round calendar of events held at the National Park and across Arizona. Whether you plan your Grand Canyon vacation around these events, or simply join in when you visit, here’s how you can celebrate:
Desert View Cultural Demonstrations
Head to Desert View to interact and learn about the human cultures that have shaped the Grand Canyon for over 12,000 years. Check out demonstrations and learn about traditional crafts and the area’s human history from Desert View Cultural Demonstrators representing the Grand Canyon’s 11 traditionally associated tribes.
Event details
When
Year round
Where
Desert View
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
100 Years of Grand
In partnership with ASU Library and Cline Library at Northern Arizona University, the Grand Canyon National Park’s Centennial Project, called “100 Years of Grand”, chronicles the area’s rich history through an extensive collection of high-quality, archival photographs, letters, postcards, and documents. Explore the archives.
Event details
When
Year round
Where
Online
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Founder’s Day Centennial Celebration
Kick off the Grand Canyon’s 100th Anniversary with cultural demonstrators from traditionally associated tribes, a concert by the Flagstaff School District Choir, and speeches by the Grand Canyon Conservancy (formerly Grand Canyon Association) and NPS staff—and of course, cake!
Event details
When
February 26, 2019
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Mapping the Grand Canyon
This two-day program of map-based story telling, state-of-the-art geospatial and cartographic demonstrations, hands-on activities, and open dialogue will explore the art, science, and practice of Grand Canyon cartography. Learn more.
Event details
When
February 28-March 1, 2019
8:00 AM
Where
ASU
Tempe, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Tucson Symphony Presents “Grand Canyon State”
The Tucson Symphony presents a breathtaking film of the Grand Canyon set to Grofé’s score. For more information, visit the Tucson Symphony.
Event details
When
March 2-3, 2019
4:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Where
Tucson Music Hall
Tucson, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Tickets range from $30-$60 each
Grand Canyon: 100 Years of Stories
The Grand Canyon Conservancy is celebrating 100 years of heritage with five storytellers who will share true, first-person stories of adventure, conservation, and community. Learn more and purchase tickets.
Event details
When
April 16, 2019
Where
Crescent Ballroom
Phoenix, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Tickets range from $8-$35
NPS Fee-Free Day, National Park Week
Explore the Grand Canyon for free on the first day of National Park Week. For a complete list of fee-free days, visit the National Park Service website.
Event details
When
April 20, 2019
Where
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
South and North Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Earth Day Celebration
Celebrate the 49th Earth Day with demonstrations, games, and information on local and national environmental initiatives.
Event details
When
April 20, 2019
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
South and North Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
The Cowboy President Evening Program with Michael Blake
Join two-time Emmy winner and historian Michael Blake to learn more about the role Theodore Roosevelt, the conservation president, played in creating the Grand Canyon National Park.
Event details
When
May 3, 2019
Where
McKee Amphitheater
Grand Canyon, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Railroad Day and Transcontinental Sesquicentennial
Learn about the important role the railroad played in the Grand Canyon’s history on the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad.
Event details
When
May 20, 2019
Where
McKee Amphitheater
Grand Canyon, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Powell Sesquicentennial Memorial Plaque Dedication
This commemorative event celebrates the 150th anniversary of John Wesley Powell’s 1896 expedition—the first significant geo-scientific survey of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon.
Event details
When
May 19, 2019
1:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Grand Canyon Wildlife Day
Meet some of Arizona’s “grandest critters” and learn all about the wildlife that inhabits the Grand Canyon, as well as the work of a wildlife biologist.
Event details
When
May 31-June 1, 2019
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Junior Ranger Day
Become a Junior Ranger, score some swag, and maybe even a replica of a ranger hat while you learn about the importance of national parks and how you can keep them healthy and prosperous.
Event details
When
June 22, 2019
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Centennial Summerfest
The Grand Canyon National Park is ringing in its 100th birthday with a week-long summer festival that will bring together park partners to highlight everything Arizona has to offer, from food and brews to cultural demonstrations and other activities.
Event details
When
June 22-20, 2019
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Grand Canyon Centennial Star Party
Explore the night sky with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association on the South Rim, and the Saguaro Astronomy Club on the North Rim. Amateur astronomers will share their telescopes and their expertise, giving you a unique chance to spy planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.
Event details
When
June 22-29, 2019
7:00 PM
Where
Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Fourth of July Parade
Join Grand Canyon National Park park rangers and Grand Canyon Conservancy staff in Flagstaff as they parade over 100 floats, livestock, dancers, and a marching band through downtown Flagstaff. If you’re in Tusayan, stop by their 4th of July parade for food, music, raffles, and more.
Event details
When
July 4, 2019
11:00 AM in Flagstaff, AZ
3:00 PM in Tusayan, AZ
Where
Downtown Flagstaff, AZ
Tusayan, AZ
Who
Open to the public
How much
Both events are free
Native American Heritage Days
Celebrate the rich diversity of the Colorado Plateau, Arizona Strip, and the Grand Canyon with special programs hosted by tribal members and non-tribal members addressing a variety of subjects, including ethno-botany, American Indian flute playing, and dance.
Event details
When
August 8-9, 2019
Where
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
North Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
11th Annual Celebration of Art
Now in its 11th year, the annual Celebration of Art provides a “vibrant experience for visitors, a venue for artists inspired by the canyon, and a successful fundraiser to benefit a dedicated art venue at the South Rim”.
Event details
When
September 7-15, 2019
Where
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
When
October 12, 2019
Where
Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
South Rim
Who
Open to the public
How much
Free
Celebrate with Canyon Tours
In honour of the Grand Canyon National Park’s 100th anniversary, we’re launching our own historical archive—featuring you! Did your grandparents visit the Grand Canyon? Do you have fond childhood memories of a family road trip through the Southwest? We want to see them!
Dig up your old pics and share them with us on Facebook or Instagram. Be sure to tag us @canyontours and use hashtag #CanyonThrowback so we can share our favorites!
Learn more:
Featured image: Grand Canyon National Park via Flickr.
