Tempe honors 15 neighbors at lively Saturday celebration

2026 Neighborhood Awards honorees

• Neighborhood Awards winners: Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA), Holly Einspahr, Maple Ash Neighborhood Circus, Burrito League, Steven Gerner, Jacque Colegrove
• Arts and Culture Award winners: Dr. Felicia Durden, Heiku, Hugh Hallman, Justin Stewart, Matt August
• Historic Preservation winner: Darlene Justus, Historic Preservation Advocate of the Year
• Sustainability Neighbor of the Year: Matthew & Maria Salenger of coLAB studio
• Water Wise Landscape of the Year: Kristen Russell
• Dolores Huerta Scholarship Award winner: Geo Tucker

Saturday morning was spent drinking Brick Road Coffee, eating Voodoo Doughnuts, getting free haircuts from Borrosos Barber Studio, enjoying interactive chalk art offered by local artist Louie Flores, listening to live music by local band Bohemian Insurgence, playing yard games and more.

Attendees shopped at small business vendors on site, including: MapStand (map art), Binary Code Shop (mindfulness and destress products), Hey Rosie Creations (stationary and art), Potters Ground (pottery) and more.

If you missed it, you can watch the awards ceremony on the City of Tempe's Youtube. Event photos are available for view and download.

The city thanks Salt River Project, Brick Road Coffee,Voodoo Doughnuts, and Map Stand for their ongoing event partnership and contributions to the community event. Local nonprofits on site included Bike Saviors, Tempe Bicycle Action Group, Tempe Community Council and more.

The City of Tempe looks forward to next year's Neighborhood Celebration. See details and stay up to date on the event at tempe.gov/NeighborhoodCelebration.

Learn more about Tempe's Neighborhood Advisory Commission.