Celebrate Summer Early With Softball & BBQ at Scottsdale, AZ Hotel

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - Mar 7, 2013) - Some could argue that the weather is paradise in Scottsdale in the spring. This is the best time of year to take advantage of beautiful weather and great events, and guests of the Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River can take part in two summer traditions: barbecue and softball.

Less than two miles from this lodging in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is hosting two of the year's biggest events.

Kicking off that summer feeling is the Arizona BBQ Festival on April 20^th. In its fourth year, the annual event features lots of great food; cooking demos from top chefs; country, rockabilly, bluegrass and rock 'n roll bands; wild western saloons, 'redneck' games and a mechanical bull. General admission is $12 (including parking), but with a VIP ticket ($60 in advance, $75 at the gate), festival-goers can spend the day in a special area sampling food from local restaurants, relaxing in a shaded lounge and sipping free drinks at the premium private bar. For $20 extra, both general and VIP ticket-holders can gain access to the flavored vodka tent and its more than 50 flavored vodkas; the price includes 10 one-ounce tastings.

One of the reasons people stay at this hotel near Old Town Scottsdale is to be near spring training, and while pre-season games end in March, there's still a chance to see some action on the field. On April 27^th, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald hosts his annual Celebrity Softball Game. The event benefits the youth organizations under his Fitzgerald First Down Fund and the Carol Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, which he started in honor of his mother who passed of breast cancer. Tickets are just $15, making this an event accessible for every budget. A VIP experience is also available, and for $400 guests can sit in the third-base dugout with the players.

For more information about these events and others, visit www.saltriverfields.com/. When it comes to getting to the party, this hotel near Salt River Fields has got guests covered with complimentary round-trip shuttle service. 

About the Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River
Smart, stylish and eco-friendly, the award-winning Courtyard Scottsdale Salt River offers the perfect destination for both business and leisure travel. The guest experience at this LEED-certified hotel starts in the flexible lobby, where opportunities to meet, mix, work and dine come together. Connect with the office or the rest of the world with free Wi-Fi, hold an informal meeting in one of the comfortable lounge areas, get the latest news and weather via GoBoard technology or grab a drink and a good meal at The Bistro, serving Starbucks^® coffee, beer and wine, plus delicious options for breakfast and dinner. Located along the Scottsdale/101 corridor, this family-friendly hotel is a great base for exploring shopping, dining and nightlife in Old Town Scottsdale, spring training games, outdoor festivals at Salt River Fields and one of the city's most popular activities, golf, with 200 nearby courses. When it's time to sit still, comfortable Scottsdale, Arizona accommodations await, offering plenty of space for work and relaxation. Stay on task with high-speed Internet access and a dedicated workspace with ergonomic chair. To unwind, sink into plush bedding, check out the latest on the flat-screen TV or throw together a snack with the microwave and refrigerator. For families, a number of rooms offer additional sleeping space with a sofa and two queen beds. Stay active with a fully equipped fitness center and outdoor pool. For memorable meetings and events, explore the flexibility of the hotel's more than 6,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor function space.