When thousands flock to the Chandler Ostrich Festival during the first two weekends of March, giant flightless birds won’t be the only thing they’ll encounter.
The four-day outdoor event at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler will also feature a bestiary of other creatures — including ducks, pigs, and even reptiles — as well as a midway filled with rides and games, numerous vendors,
There’s also a wide variety of live entertainment and activities. Circus acts and chainsaw-wielding artists. Aerialists and BMX stunt riders. Sci-tech displays and cooking demos. Roaming performers and comedic jugglers. Live music is a big part of the festival with a lineup of local bands performing during the day and high-profile recording artists headlining each night.
And, yes, there will be ostriches at the event, too.
The Chandler Ostrich Festival has been around since 1989 and will stage its latest edition from March 8 to 10 and March 15 to 17. If you’re interested in attending and don’t want to wing it, check out our extensive guide to the event to help you plan your visit.
When and where is the Chandler Ostrich Festival?
This year’s festival runs over back-to-back weekends (March 8 to March 10 and March 15 to March 17) at Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road in Chandler, which is just south of the Loop 202 San Tan Freeway between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road.
What time is the Chandler Ostrich Festival?
The official event hours are as follows:
- Friday, March 8, 2 p.m.-midnight
- Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
- Friday, March 15, 2 p.m.-midnight
- Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.-midnight
- Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
How much are tickets?
General admission for adults is $35 per person, Friday through Sunday. Children ages 5 to 12 can get in for $20 each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.Kids 4 and under are free each day. Tickets are available through the Ostrich Festival website.
Is VIP admission available?
Yes. VIP tickets (which include access to a private bar, three complimentary drinks, and the chance to watch concerts from an exclusive viewing area) are $150 each day.
click to enlarge
Superstar country music duo Big & Rich.
Kristin Barlowe
Concerts
A lineup of local bands, musicians, dance troupes, performance ensembles, and even chefs and science professionals will provide entertainment on three different stages during all four days of the festival. Concerts headlined by high-profile and nationally known recording artists will cap things off each night on the main stage:
When are Yung Gravy and other headliners performing?
Bands like country duo Big & Rich, rapper Shaggy and Train and norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana are set to headline the Chandler Ostrich Festival's concert series this year. Here's a look at the lineup and when they're performing:
- Friday, March 8: Paul Russell, 8 p.m.; Shaggy, 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, March 9: Big & Rich feat. Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy, 9 p.m.
- Sunday, March 10: Los Tucanes de Tijuana, 8:45 p.m.
- Friday, March 15: Yung Gravy, 9:15 p.m.
- Saturday, March 16: Madeline Edwards, 6:15 p.m.; Lauren Alaina, 7:45 p.m.; Chris Lane, 9:15 p.m.
- Sunday, March 17: Wynonna Judd, 8:45 p.m.
Getting there
If you’re coming by car, take the Loop 202 San Tan Freeway to Arizona Avenue or McQueen Road and head south. If you’d prefer to take local transit, Valley Metro offers bus service directly to the park via the Route 112 line.
Parking
Parking lots are available at Tumbleweed Park via Hamilton Street off Germann Road and along Celebration Drive off McQueen Road. It's $10 per vehicle.
What will entry into the festival involve?
Entrances will be located on the north, east, and west sides of the park. Security will conduct bag checks and use metal detectors.
What to eat and drink
A number of food trucks and vendors will be set up on the south side of the festival and will offer a variety of options, including burgers and fries, ice cream, funnel cakes, and other selections. A beer garden will be available in the center of the festival and various bars will have beer, wine, and spirits available for purchase throughout the grounds. Vendors will also sell soft drinks and bottled water.
Can I bring in water or empty bottles?
Festival attendees are permitted to bring in one factory-sealed bottle of water or refillable plastic or aluminum bottles, which can be refilled at stations inside the park.
click to enlarge
There are more than just big birds at the Chandler Ostrich Festival.
SLE
Rides
The festival’s selection of 36 rides will be set up on the northwest side of the park and will include options both quaint and thrilling. A variety of midway-style games will also be available for play. The complete ride list is as follows:
- Zipper
- Giant Wheel
- Giant Scooters
- Wave Swinger
- Quasar
- The Khaos
- Dino Loop Funhouse
- Zombie Carnival
- Scrambler
- Grand Carousel
- Chopper Hopper
- Century Wheel
- Eagle 16
- Tommy Kangaroo
- Rock’N Tug
- Kite Flyer
- Hawaiian Express
- Crown Merry Go Round
- Quad Runner
- 1001 Nachts
- Wacky Worm Coaster
- Tilt-A-Whirl
- Nemo Swings
- Turbo Speed
- Firehouse
- Super Shot Drop Tower
- Inversion
- Mardi Gras Funhouse
- RING OF FIRE
- Alien Invasion
- Pirate Jet
- Wacky Shack Funhouse
- Cyclone
- Rio Grande Train
- Wet Boats
- Looney Tooter Train
How much are ride tickets?
Individual tickets will be $1 each and the amount needed for each ride varies from three to seven tickets. (Game prices will vary.) Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $35 on Thursday and $40 on Friday and Saturday.
click to enlarge
Yes, there are actual ostriches at the Chandler Ostrich Festival.
SLE
Where can I see the ostriches?
The festival’s titular birds will be roaming freely throughout the “Ostrich Experience,” an enclosed outdoor area in the southeast portion of the park.
Are there ostrich races?
No. Those won’t be a part of this year’s festival.
Other activities at Chandler Ostrich Festival 2024
There are more activities than just rides and games at the event. You can also get pics in the "World's Funnest Photo Booth." Catch the duck and pig races. Check out a variety of science and technology exhibits. Interact with a real-life version of the Zoltar fortune-telling machine. Watch BMX riders pull out sick stunts or chainsaw-wielding artists create huge wooden sculptures.
What should I bring?
Your smartphone, comfortable footwear, sun protection, blankets, and a government-issued ID.
What isn’t allowed?
Anything dangerous, including weapons, fireworks, and illegal substances. Skateboards, outside food and drinks (with the exception of sealed water bottles), noisemaking devices, laser pointers,ice chests, professional photo or video equipment, professional cameras, or glass containers are also forbidden.
') let lineHeight = jQuery('[line-height-check]').get(0).clientHeight; jQuery('[line-height-check]').remove() if (jQuery(element).prop('tagName').match(/HIDDEN/i) !== null) { jQuery(element).children('div').last().css({ marginBottom: `${lineHeight*2}px` }); } else { jQuery(element).css({ marginTop: `${lineHeight*2}px`, marginBottom: `${lineHeight}px` }); } // const insertionBlockClass = `fdn-paragraph-insertion-block`; const styleElementHook = `fdn-paragraph-insertion-styles`; jQuery(element).addClass(insertionBlockClass); if (jQuery(`[${styleElementHook}]`).length === 0) { jQuery('div.fdn-content-body, div #storyBody').append('
') const paragraphLineHeight = jQuery('[line-height-check]').get(0).clientHeight; jQuery('[line-height-check]').remove() const styleElement = jQuery(`
`); const styleText = ` div.fdn-content-body br+.${insertionBlockClass}:not([hidden]), div #storyBody br+.${insertionBlockClass}:not([hidden]) { margin-top: ${paragraphLineHeight*2}px; margin-bottom: ${paragraphLineHeight}px; } div.fdn-content-body br+.${insertionBlockClass}[hidden] > div:last-of-type, div #storyBody br+.${insertionBlockClass}[hidden] > div:last-of-type { margin-bottom: ${paragraphLineHeight*2}px; } ` styleElement.text(styleText); jQuery('head').append(styleElement); } // } } jQuery(element).insertBefore(this.paragraphEndNodes[index]); } else { console.warn('Foundation.ParagraphTool.insertElemenAt: invalid insertion index', index); } } this.insertElemenAtEnd = function (element) { if (this.paragraphEndNodes.length) { let lastNode = this.getNodeAtIndex(this.paragraphEndNodes.length -1); if (this.isDoubleBrParagraphBreak(lastNode) || this.isBrParagraphBreakBeforeBlockElement(lastNode)) { if (jQuery(element).get(0).tagName.match(/SCRIPT/i) !== null) { jQuery('
').insertAfter(this.paragraphEndNodes[index]); jQuery('
').insertAfter(this.paragraphEndNodes[index]); } else { jQuery('div.fdn-content-body, div #storyBody').append('
') let lineHeight = jQuery('[line-height-check]').get(0).clientHeight; jQuery('[line-height-check]').remove() if (jQuery(element).prop('tagName').match(/HIDDEN/i) !== null) { jQuery(element).children('div').last().css({ marginBottom: `${lineHeight*2}px` }); } else { jQuery(element).css({ marginTop: `${lineHeight*2}px`, marginBottom: `${lineHeight}px` }); } } } } this.bodyContainer.append(element); } this.getNodeAtIndex = function (index) { return this.paragraphEndNodes[index]; } }
