Some cities have artistically decorated cow and pig sculptures as public art displays. The Verde Valley Wine Trail in Arizona has brought together wine and artists to create 40 unique Painted Barrels. All will be auctioned off with proceeds going to support the Yavapai College Viticulture Program located in Cottonwood.

The Painted Barrels are found in and around Cottonwood, Sedona and Verde Valley in tasting rooms, wineries and businesses. Since the Verde Valley is an artistic community, Painted Barrels provide a great opportunity for visitors to connect with very talented artists.

“The Painted Barrels are a fun way to connect our great wineries with some very talented artists from the Verde Valley and even renowned Navajo artist, Baje Whitethorne Sr.,” said Lana Tolleson, Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce CEO, “The artists have been so amazingly creative with whimsical designs, three dimensional appliqués, and art that really show off the beauty of the Cottonwood, Sedona area. We’re excited about all of the social media programs and Artist events that are beginning this month [November 2010].”

When vacationing in Sedona in the near future, be sure to check out the Painted Barrels website to locate these gorgeous masterpieces. You can also check out artist bios and see snapshots of each of the barrels. Get social with the Painted Barrels, find them on Facebook/VVwinetrail, Twitter/VVWineTrail and search for them on FourSquare pages. Contests and groovy prizes will be awarded to followers.

Yavapai College Viticulture Program is the first viticulture program in Arizona. Modeled after programs in California, the program provides education needed to obtain a job in the fast-growing Arizona wine industry. This past summer, Yavapai College planted their first acre of vineyards to assist in the education of their students and has 15 more acres reserved for planting of new vineyards.

Development of the program means more Arizona wine and that’s definitely a good thing.

Image: Courtesy of the Sedona Chamber of Commerce

A cool place to be this October for travelers who appreciate arts and culture is Sedona, Arizona. Cultural activities take center stage in various formats this month with activities including Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Sedona Book Festival, and Sedona Plein Air Festival. Check your calendar against these October events then find your affordable Sedona lodging with Resort Rentals Intl.

First Friday Gallery Tour, Oct. 1
Galleries stay open a little later during Sedona’s Art Walk, traditionally held on the First Friday of the month. Between 5 and 8 p.m., Sedona visitors can view exhibitions, receptions with artists, live music, demonstrations and wine tastings. The Sedona Trolley runs complimentary service from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Sedona Jazz on the Rocks, Oct. 2
Poco Diablo Resort is the setting for Sedona Jazz on the Rocks where a lineup of musicians performing blues, jazz and R&B take the stage. Scheduled to appear are Alfredo Rodriguez, Craig Chaquico and Homemade Jamz Blues Band.

Sedona Book Festival, Oct. 2
Calling all bookworms, this event’s for you! Local and regional authors, publishers and other reading and writing organizations will be on hand to interact with book fans during the Second Annual Sedona Book Festival. More than 60 exhibitors will sell books along with book-related items. Select authors will make presentations in the author’s room throughout the day.

Sedona Arts Festival, Oct. 9 & 10
About 160 artists from across the United States will showcase their work in mediums ranging from painting to photography to jewelry to fiber arts during the Sedona Arts Festival. New this year is Gourmet Gallery showcasing locally made food items to enjoy in your kitchen. A kid’s area will offer make and take projects for the budding artists.

Sedona Plein Air Festival, Oct. 23 - 30
Thirty-two award-winning artists will be inspired by Red Rock Country during the week-long Sedona Plein Air Festival. The Festival begins Saturday with Paint Out on Main Street, Uptown and continues with free lectures, music, demonstrations, painting classes, a Day in Jerome, Quick Draw & Sale in Tlaquepaque and Los Abrigados Creekside Wine with the Artists. A gala provides an opportunity to see the paintings completed during the festival along with wine with the artists. Everyone is invited to the free Public Exhibit and Art Sale at the Sedona Arts Center Galleries.

Whether planning a romantic vacation, girlfriend getaway or family weekend escape, consider traveling to Sedona this October and get a little culture.

Sedona’s summer temperatures begin to cool off during September but for those who love sizzling festivals, Arizona’s Red Rocks is the place to be this year with these two hot events, Moonlight Madness Street Festival and Sedona Winefest.

The 24rd Annual Moonlight Madness Street Festival is set for September 4 – 6, 2010. Kiss summer goodbye and say hello to autumn with a good old sidewalk sale. But this ain’t no ordinary sale. Free music, live entertainment, activities and food galore spill onto the streets of the Sedona Main Street District, in addition to bountiful shopping bargains. Festivities take place along State Routes 89A and 179 in the Main Street District and kicks off Saturday, Sept. 4 around noon ’til 9 p.m. and continues through Monday, Sept. 6 of Labor Day Weekend.

All the Moonlight Madness Street Festival entertainment and activities are generously hosted by local merchants and property owners and this free community event is coordinated by the Sedona Main Street Program. Make it a family vacation or girlfriends getaway to Sedona. Whatever you make it, bring along an empty suitcase to carry home all the new shopping finds.

Sedona Winefest returns for the second year September 25 and 26, 2010, during the Sedona Community Fair at the Sedona Airport. We’re told the 2010 fair will be modified but will return to its fabulous state in 2011. But wine connoisseurs shouldn’t worry as Sedona Winefest will build on the success of last year’s inaugural event.

We’re told all of the Verde Valley’s wineries will be participating and in total, 10 Arizona wineries will be featured (Alcantara Winery, Arizona Stronghold Winery, Caduceus Cellars & Merkin Vineyards, Freitas Vineyard, Kokopelli Winery, Javelina Leap Vineyards & Winery, Jerome Winery, Oak Creek Vineyards and Winery, Page Springs Cellars and Pillsbury Wine Company).

Admission is $12 per person which includes a souvenir wine glass and six taste tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1 each.  Wineries will be staged under a tent along with a healthy pairing of food and music and will offer sales of their fabulous wines, many made with Arizona grown grapes.  In addition to wineries, visitors will learn about winery tours, the Verde Valley Wine Consortium, the latest happenings with Arizona wine growers, and about Yavapai College’s latest offering, a viticulture and enology program.

Sipping red wine while surrounded by Sedona’s stunning red rocks is a simply romantic way to share the weekend with the one you love, or at least the one you kinda like.

Check out affordable Sedona vacation rentals Resort Rentals International has available during the Moonlight Madness Street Festival (Sept. 4 – 6) and Sedona Winefest (Sept. 25 & 26).

Image Source: Courtesy of Sedona Chamber of Commerce