Cookout at the Ranch

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at the event?

Will children enjoy it?

Should I bring my checkbook? Can I use a credit card?

What should I wear?

How hot will it be?

Are out-of-town visitors welcome?

Will I have the opportunity to do the Arizona Two-Step?

What type of items are available at the silent auction?

Why should a business donate an auction or raffle item? How is it done?

How can a homeowners association or civic group contribute?

What types of organizations will have exhibits?

Who are the organizers?

Who benefits?

Are tickets tax deductible?

What happens at the event?

The short answer is that everybody relaxes and has a great time under the desert stars. Here is a longer answer.

When you arrive at the parking lot at MacDonald’s Ranch, which is located on the southwest corner of Scottsdale and Jomax Roads, you will be greeted by volunteers. They will check your tickets and give you a program.and one drink ticket that you can exchange for a free beverage (wine, beer, soda). You can then take the horse-drawn wagon or the van to the cookout site. You can also walk to the site in about 10 minutes. When you near the site you will probably hear live country & western music.

The cookout site is outside and guests seat themselves at picnic tables. Find a place to sit and if you don’t know the other folks at the table introduce yourself. You never know who you might meet. It might be a neighbor or a visitor from some exotic place. Incidentally, it is possible to reserve a table for 8 adults in advance of the event. See ticket information.

Near the eating area are the exhibits and “Friends' Central.” Friends' Central is where you can place a bid on silent auction items and buy tickets for the raffles. It's also where you can exchange your drink tickets for drinks.

The most popular attraction in the exhibit area is usually wildlife. You’ll also find interesting exhibits about local history, preservation activities and community affairs.

The Stragglers will be performing most of the evening. Outback serves dinner buffet style. Before the sun sets, Wild At Heart will release a great horned owl that it has rescued and rehabilitated. You don't want to miss the owl's memorable flight to freedom. Later in the evening, there will be a brief program, which will include the drawing of winning tickets for the complimentary Door Prize Raffle and the Deluxe Cruise/$25,000.

Towards the end of the evening the haywagons and van will take you back to the parking lot. If you choose to walk out, you will find the path marked by small safety flares.

Will children enjoy it?

Children are welcome and some people do bring small children but the evening is geared for adults. Younger children tend to get restless once they’ve taken the hayride, eaten dinner, and seen the wildlife exhibits.

Should I bring my checkbook? Can I use a credit card?

Yes. You will need cash to buy Deluxe Cruise/$25,000 Drawing tickets and additional beverage tickets. You can use a cash, checks and credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, Discover) to purchase silent auction items ($ 10 - $500) and tickets to Cookout at the Ranch XII.

What should I wear?

Relax. This is Arizona and it will probably be warm, cooling off as the evening goes along. Wear jeans, slacks, or your cowboy duds. Depending on the weather that day, you might want to consider bringing a light jacket.

How hot will it be?

MacDonald’s Ranch is at 1,200’ elevation and the Cookout site is surrounded by lush desert, so it tends to be cooler than the rest of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Since this year’s event is in late October, the odds are good we will have comfortable temperatures as the evening progresses. Come out and find out!

Will I have the opportunity to do the Arizona Two-Step?

You bet. There is a small concrete dance floor in front of the bandstand and toward the end of the evening Mindy Hubbard, professional dance instructor, will teach the willing a few fun and easy line dances. Lots of fun. When the line dancing concludes, the band will continue playing.

Are out-of-town visitors welcome?

Absolutely, and it is not unusual for hotel and resort guests to “do what the locals do” and come to Cookout at the Ranch. Frankly, we can't think of a better way to enjoy Arizona, an Outback Steakhouse meal and some great country music. Plus, the informal exhibits provide a perfect opportunity to learn about Sonoran wildlife, preservation efforts and the local community. And, visitors have something in common with almost all the friendly people who will be at the event. They too, originally came here as visitors.

Are MacDonald’s Ranch and Outback Steakhouse reimbursed for co-sponsoring the event?

This event would not be possible without their generosity. Outback donates all the food and catering services for the event and MacDonald’s donates the use of the Cookout site. Friends does reimburse MacDonald's Ranch for the cost of the cowboys who run the hayrides and assist with the cookout. Friends also reimburses Outback for a fraction of their cost of catering the event..

What type of items are available at the silent auction?

The event is supported by many local merchants who donate a variety of items including gift certificates, dinner at popular restaurants, golf, paintings, souvenirs from professional sports teams and more.

Why should a business donate an auction or raffle item? How is it done?

Of course the short answer to these questions is to help preserve the desert, support wildlife rehabilitation, help Rotary Charities. Items can be donated online using this Web site.

How can a homeowners association (HOA) or civic group contribute?

We welcome the support of associations and groups. They can help by making a donation to any of the Cookout organizers, purchasing a reserved table at the Cookout, publicizing the Cookout in their newsletters, and distributing flyers and pamphlets in their neighborhoods.

What organizations will have exhibits?

Cookout at the Ranch will feature a variety of interesting exhibits sponsored by organizations involved in wildlife rehabilitation and animal rescue, preservation, local history, natural history and community affairs. Check the event's promotional page for an up-to-date list of exhibitors.

Who are the organizers?

Friends of the Scenic Drive, which is now a division of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association, is the primary organizer of the event. Friends organized the first Cookout at the Ranch in 1996 with the support of Outback Steakhouse and MacDonald’s Ranch. The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy began helping in 1998. In 1999, the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association became a co-organizer. These organizations are nonprofit, Arizona corporations involved in the work of preserving the natural history and beauty of the Sonoran Desert.

Friends of the Scenic Drive focuses on the Desert Foothills Scenic Drive and Scottsdale’s scenic corridors , the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy has led the effort to create and manage Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association promotes community activism, desert preservation and wildlife conservation and publishes A Peek at the Peak magazine, The Peak, as a free community service.

Who benefits?

All of the proceeds of the event are spent on efforts related to preservation. Current residents and visitors to the northeast valley benefit from the event. And, it is our fervent hope that future generations of residents and visitors will enjoy the natural beauty that the Cookout's sponsors, organizers and volunteers are seeking to preserve.

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I cannot attend. Can I make a donation to support your efforts?

You can probably guess the answer to this question. Your support is sincerely appreciated. The best way to support our efforts is to become a member of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association.

Are tickets tax deductible?

Everyone's financial situation is different. Friends of the Scenic Drive is a division of the Greater Pinnacle Peak Association, a non-profit, 501 c(3) organization. A portion of the ticket price may be tax deductible.