Set to a backdrop of the Saddleback, Palo Verde and Sierra Estrella mountains, Stagecoach Days will run in the picturesque Sonoran city of Maricopa between October 9 to 24.

Stagecoach Days honors Maricopa’s long history as a transportation hub and trade center. It features events designed to not only educate people about the city’s history, but also bring together and engage different groups within the community.

With a variety of events such as the Copa History Hunt, Shutter Shots photo contest, Pecan Pride Celebration, Performing Arts Gala and the always-popular Maricopa Mud Run, there is a little something to please everyone in the community.

Net proceeds from the event will benefit the city of Maricopa Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team, the Maricopa Police Department Explorer Program and the Maricopa Historical Society.

The 2016 Copa History Hunt will take place on October 8 and 15, and features an interactive digital scavenger hunt in town. A bonus round and prizes will be awarded on October 17 at the Copper Sky Large Group Ramada.

For 24 hours on October 15, the Maricopa Shutter Shots Digital Photo Contest will be open for residents and visitors to capture the full experience of a typical day in the life of Maricopa in 2016. Winners will be unveiled and showcased at the Maricopa City Library on October 22 to 29. 

The Maricopa Mud Run will be held on October 22 at the Copper Sky Regional Park. For a night of orchestral music, choral music and dance, don’t miss the Performing Arts Gala, also on October 22, at the Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center.

Maricopa began as an oasis clustered around a series of watering holes which travelers called Maricopa Wells. It became a major stagecoach relay station in the late 1800s, serving the San Antonio-San Diego Mail Line and later the Butterfield Overland Mail Route.