Historic Wigwam Resort To Host 4th of July Great American Picnic

Legendary Resort Invites Public to Family-Style Celebration, F-16 Flyover and Fireworks Spectacular

Phoenix, Ariz. (June 23, 2009) - Kicking off its 80th anniversary year, the legendary Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotels & Resorts property, is opening its doors to the public to commemorate Independence Day and honor America's servicemen and women with an unprecedented old-fashioned family celebration.

Hosting an exciting line-up of free public entertainment, celebrations and a special hotel package starting at just $109, the Wigwam invites Valley residents, families and visitors to celebrate America's birthday at the Great American Picnic. Getting the fun started early, on Friday, July 3 the resort will feature a Classic Car Show from 5-9 p.m. with live evening entertainment starting at 7 p.m. on the Terrace overlooking views of the Wigwam's picturesque golf course. The following morning, early birds are invited to sign up for Shotgun Golf at 7:15 a.m. for just $35 per person.

The Great American Picnic kicks-off Saturday, July 4, from 4-9 p.m. on the Wigwam Front Lawn. The free public celebration will feature hayrides with singing folk guitar players; Old West history tours guided across the resort's 400-acre grounds of lush green grass, floral gardens and 8,000 rose bushes; fireside s'mores and storytelling; and an array of children's arts and craft activities throughout the evening. Filling the air with sounds of American top classics, picnic goers will enjoy a live DJ spinning all afternoon and into the night with sing-alongs to America's favorite tunes. Partnering with the 944 Reserve Wing at neighboring Luke Air Force Base, an expansive collection of the latest military vehicles, equipment and technology will be on display with a special F-16 flyover scheduled in the early evening followed by a tribute to the nation's birthday. The fireworks spectacular will start at 9 p.m.

Also offering a family-style cookout from 5-9 p.m. at the Great American Picnic, enjoy live music by Thaddeus Rose and all the fixings of a traditional summer backyard barbeque for just $15 for adults and $9 for children under 10. Cooking up the freshest meats over an open flame, the grill menu includes all-beef frankfurters, grilled American cheeseburgers with Wigwam spice, Firecracker grilled chicken breast sandwiches- all dressed with homegrown Wilcox Farms lettuce, tomatoes and onions. The cookout will also offer fresh sweet corn on the cob, a build-your-own Idaho baked potato bar, kettle beans, desert cole slaw and American apple pie. Full bar-service including beer, wine, and refreshing margaritas will also be available.

For the ultimate holiday weekend, the Wigwam is offering a special Great American Picnic hotel package starting from $109 per night, with each additional night at just $50, valid July 3-5 only. The Great American Picnic package includes entrance to the Great American Picnic cookout for two adults and two children, with premier seating for the fireworks spectacular. Hotel guests will also enjoy a weekend of holiday poolside activities, including splash-in movies, live island music, potato sack races, dizzy duck races, balloon tosses and visits with four-legged friends from Wildlife World Zoo. Reservations for this special package are limited and can be made by calling (623) 935-3811, (800) 327-0396 or visiting www.wigwamresort.com.

About the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa
Celebrating the 80th anniversary on Thanksgiving, Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa is a treasured Southwest landmark rich with history. Featuring 331 rooms including 72 suites nestled within 400 acres of lush green grass, tree lined enclaves, vibrant floral landscaping, the Wigwam offers a captivating experience which takes you back to another time. Built in 1918 as a guest ranch retreat for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company executives visiting area ranchers, the original accommodations featured guest rooms for just six people and upon check-in guests received a horse with their room key. Opening as a full-service resort on Thanksgiving Day 1929, today the Wigwam is celebrated as Arizona's most authentic resort destination, blending the essence of the Old West with the latest in traditional amenities. The Wigwam is home to the coveted AAA Four Diamond-rated Red's Steakhouse, a signature Red Door Spa and the Southwest's only 54 holes of championship golf. For more information, visit www.wigwamresort.com or call (623) 935-3811.

About Destinations Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is one of the largest independent hospitality management companies in the country with more than 30 luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and conference centers. To protect and preserve the unique communities in which the company operates, Destination launched Destination Earth, an environmental sustainability program in 2008. New for 2009 is the 582-room Terranea Resort situated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in southern California. The 102-acre ocean front resort will feature a 25,000-square-foot destination spa, three swimming pools, three restaurants and a Todd Eckenrode-designed par three golf course. In addition to Terranea in the greater Los Angeles area, Destination operates properties in key metropolitan areas and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Palm Springs, Houston and Lake Tahoe. Destination is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises. For more information on the properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.

The Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa | 300 East Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340
Phone: 623.935.3811 | Toll Free: 1.800.327.0396 | Info@WigwamResort.com