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Trot-Tober Fest 2025: Where the Crawl Meets the Cause

American Charities

Gilbert, get ready to trot—because Trot-Tober Fest 2025 is saddling up to be bigger, louder, and more unforgettable than ever before! This annual tradition isn’t just a pub crawl. It’s a ride with purpose, a celebration of community, and a chance to give back to the heroes who’ve always had our backs. Whether you’re a rider, walker, biker, or just someone who loves a good drink and a good cause, this event is calling your name.

Event Details at a Glance

  • Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
  • Time: 12:00 PM – approximately 5:00 PM (though the good vibes will last long after!)
  • Where: Gilbert, Arizona
  • Cost: $30 per person, which includes one FREE drink at every stop of the crawl

What to Expect

From the very first step, pedal, or trot, you’ll know this isn’t just another Saturday outing. Horses clip-clop down the streets, live music spills out of the pubs, and laughter fills the air as friends—old and new—gather to celebrate, connect, and support a cause that matters deeply to our community. Everywhere you look, there are smiling faces, heartfelt conversations, and a sense of camaraderie that only comes from people uniting for something bigger than themselves.

This is Trot-Tober Fest: part charity ride, part pub crawl, and entirely unforgettable.

Stop-by-Stop Adventure

Kickoff at Valley Taproom

The day begins with excitement buzzing in the air. We’re joined by Lou Carlucci, retired Chandler Fire Captain, who knows firsthand the sacrifices first responders make. As you sip your first cold drink and mingle with the crowd, you’ll feel the energy building. Lou’s presence sets the tone: this event is fun, but it’s also meaningful. While here, enjoy the local musical talent of Nathan Dean.

Next Stop: Copper Still Moonshine Grill

The ride rolls on as we head to Copper Still Moonshine Grill. Here, Lee Davise, a retired firefighter, brings stories, laughter, and a warm spirit to the crowd. The music is louder, the drinks are flowing, and the connections deepen. By this point, the crawl feels less like an event and more like a big family reunion—one where everyone is welcome. You’ll be re-energized with the sounds of local musical artist Daniel Tolliver.

Finale: Tap Dragon Craft Beer & Wine Bar

The day finishes strong at Tap Dragon, where the atmosphere is electric with live music from Rauyl Burruel. Glasses clink, friends gather close, and the energy of the afternoon culminates in a silent auction hosted by Brad Maitland, former military. Bidding wars break out, laughs echo, and every dollar raised goes toward helping the very people who keep our communities safe.

Why We Ride

While the drinks, the horses, and the music make Trot-Tober Fest exciting, the heart of the event is the cause. This annual tradition supports PISTLE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to first responders. Every ticket purchased, every drink shared, every bid placed at the auction directly fuels this mission. Together, we are giving back to those who give everything.

PISTLE’s Mission: To provide confidential peer support and resources to those who face unimaginable stress and trauma in the line of duty. For law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, critical incidents don’t just end when the sirens fade—they linger in the heart and mind. PISTLE is there to listen, support, and provide hope when it’s needed most.

PISTLE Helps First Responder

Service dog recipient, first Responder Larry Carito! Larry chose Ricky as his new partner! PISTLE recently donated one of Blue Line Doodles of Arizona’s puppies to Larry, and Dog Training Elite has partnered with us and BLD of Az to donate their service dog training to the team. This is the first program of its type in AZ for first responders, and we are proud to be the trailblazers once again. Blue Line Doodles of Arizona and Dog Training Elite have committed to continuing this program for years to come as well as growing the program to include first responders in other states.

The Festival Atmosphere

Imagine the sound of hooves on pavement mixed with the strum of guitars and the cheer of voices rising together. Horses trot alongside bikes and walkers, creating a parade-like feel through Gilbert’s heart. Each stop isn’t just a chance to drink—it’s a chance to celebrate. Local musicians set the rhythm of the day, and the crowd keeps the beat alive with clapping, singing, and dancing in the streets.

Everywhere you go, you’ll see people wearing their Trot-Tober Fest badges proudly, knowing that each laugh shared is also a gift given back.

Choose Your Ride

The beauty of Trot-Tober Fest is that it’s for everyone. No matter how you join, you’ll be part of the same big-hearted journey.

  • Want to walk with friends? Lace up your sneakers.
  • Prefer to ride your bike and roll from stop to stop? Go for it.
  • Feeling festive? Trot alongside the horses and make an entrance like no other.

Be Part of the Legacy

Trot-Tober Fest isn’t just another event on the calendar—it’s a movement. It’s where Gilbert comes together to honor courage, celebrate life, and support first responders in their moments of need. It’s where strangers become friends, where fun meets purpose, and where every glass raised helps heal unseen wounds.

This November, don’t just hear the stories. Don’t just watch from the sidelines. Be part of the ride. Be part of the crawl. Be part of the cause. Trot-Tober Fest 2025 is waiting for you.

Last Updated on 10/06/2025 by Olivia Clements

About the Author:

Biography:

I grew up in Reno, Nevada which often gets confused as a mini Las Vegas. But Reno has so much more than casinos. I grew up branding cattle, hunting with my dad, camping, playing sports, exploring the hills and so on. I found my love for writing early in life and I always had a journal I was filling up. I also found myself diving head first into photography which led me to volunteer for the rodeo I went to every year since birth, the Reno Rodeo. I now write in the Reno Rodeo Magazine and take photos of the rodeo for another committee. My love for country goes back to the early days with my dad floating on a boat fishing listening to old country (90’s or older) and some classic rock n’ roll. I have expanded my passions of writing and photography worldwide, having traveled to the Safaris in Africa, crumbling castles in Scotland, pubs in Germany to the snowy mountain tops of the Swiss Alps; like Ian Munsick, “I see country everywhere.” You can find me now taking pictures of sports or driving around taking pictures of yet another cow. They are too cute not to. It’s guaranteed to find me living my best life. Life is short, so live vibrantly!

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