Organizers predict a strong turnout to the Valleypalooza festival 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Paradise Valley Community College because of all the special participants at the inaugural event.
There are several reasons Valleypalooza stands out from other festivals:
- Valleypalooza has its own signature beer, North Phoenix Pale Ale, created by Tyler Smith at nearby Kitsune Brewing Co., where festival goers can stop by all day to taste the NPPA.
- Fayuca, a well-known Phoenix-based Latin punk trio is performing at the event. Fans travel the Southwest to hear the well-established group mix it up with music derived from their Phoenix roots.
- A portion of proceeds from the event will support Treasure House Phoenix. The nonprofit, founded in 2018 by Brenda Warner and her husband, retired NFL player Kurt Warner, benefits young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Inspired by their son, Zack, the supported living residence in Glendale is home to 29 young adults.
- Seeds for Autism will have a booth at the event, furthering supporting the special needs community.
- Event details: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 13 at Paradise Valley Community College. Tickets are $7. Children 12 and younger get free entry to the community-focused event.
All this is because a group of people on Facebook want to come together in person so neighbors can visit each other and get to know the local businesses and community resources in North Phoenix.
Blair Ballin, founder of Living North Phoenix, a Facebook community with nearly 30,000 members, says he came up with the idea to “stop the scroll.”
“While being online is a great way to quickly share information and resources, nothing really beats high fiving or fist bumping with someone you’ve often chatted with online,” Ballin said.
The community agrees. Tyler Smith, owner of Kitsune Brewing Company, is the mastermind behind the North Phoenix Pale Ale that he created specifically for Valleypalooza.
“I have lived in north Phoenix forever. I grew up here and graduated from PVHS (Paradise Valley High School),” Smith said. “When I opened up Kitsune I met Blair. He has been such an amazing supporter of what I’m doing that when I heard he was doing this event I knew I had to be part of it.”
Lauri Turner, CEO of Treasure House, says Valleypalooza exemplifies the meaning of community. "The commitment to inclusivity and sense of belonging within the North Phoenix community shines brightly through in the inaugural Valleypalooza," she said.
Ballin started Living North Phoenix five years ago. Members say the online community has been a way to share information quickly, offer immediate support, and to share community resources to those who most need it in a highly engaged inclusive, drama-free local group.
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