Sedona,AZ –University Women of Sedona will host their next informational meeting on Monday, April 6, at 9:30 am when they will get an update on the Verde Valley Fair and fairgrounds. The Verde Valley Fair Association is dedicated to promoting youth development by providing an educational and entertaining annual event that will allow for FFA, 4-H and Organized Youth Groups to showcase their products and skills to the general public. That mission continues to expand.
Director of the Verde Valley Fair Association, Coleen Gilboy, will share about the mission of the fairgrounds, the breadth and variety of their year-round programming, and what’s in store for the future of the Fair and the facilities.
Gilboy observes that the fair always attracts people who are both very young and very old. For those who don’t want to ride the carnival rides, there are the animals, arts and crafts, vendors and fair food to enjoy. But, now operations of the fairgrounds facilities is a year-round venture, serving the community with multipurpose facilities for both public and private events. Gilboy says “On almost every weekend there might be anything going on from weddings and reunions to gem and mineral shows.” This year’s Fair is set for April 29 – May 3, 2026.
Although the fair has a 60+ year history, when Gilboy came on board, the budget showed the fairgrounds would close in 6 months. Since she took over in 2013, she has built the first new buildings and upgrades in almost 30 years, and grown staff.
Coleen Gilboy has been a Verde Valley resident for over 36 years. During this time, she was the Town of Clarkdale Finance Director from 1998 to 2005, a Girl Scout leader and Neighborhood Manager for 12 years and has organized the Cottonwood Christmas Parade since 2009. She serves as Chairman of the Board of the Verde Fire District and is currently the Director of the Verde Valley Fairgrounds where she has served since 2013. Her passion is to help non-profits in financial trouble.
This meeting is open to women in the Verde Valley who are interested in this topic and the opportunity to network with other women who are involved in elevating women through education. Guests are invited to attend this or a future meeting. University Women of Sedona’s mission is to give scholarships to support women in furthering their educational opportunities at an accredited local college or university. Refreshments will be served.
The Sedona chapter meets on the first Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church of Sedona at 25 Chapel Road. For more information, contact universitywmnsedona@gmail.com.