Summer is in full swing -- and so is summer festival season. You might have to drive a bit for strawberries, lavender, and corn, but getting there is half the fun, right? Road trip! Food connoisseurs and amateurs alike can fill their schedules until September with the list of festivals in Arizona we've compiled below.
See also: -Sam Pillsbury Answers the Question: Why Arizona Wine? -Peach Festival at Schnepf Farms 2013 -What Are the Pros and Cons of Food Festivals?
5th Annual Garlic & Onion Festival, 4 to 9 p.m. June 7 through 9
Agua Linda Farm is serving up garlic, onions, and live music this summer. The grassy farm is covered with shade trees and located just south of Tucson at a slightly higher elevation. The Garden Grill will be serving dishes made with garlic and onions from the farm. Admission is $8 per person or $20 for all three nights.
4th Annual Flagstaff Wine & Food Festival, noon on June 8
Northern Arizona is pulling out all of the stops for the 4th Annual Flagstaff Wine & Food Festival. The festival's theme this year is "Experience Opulence" and will feature international and domestic wines. Northern Arizona restaurants like Cottage Place will be serving gourmet food ranging from sushi to Mexican. Sub-Zero and Wolf chefs will also be holding cooking demonstrations. The event will be held at the Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park. Admission is $30 or $50 with a wine passport, which allows for additional wine tastings.
Arizona Watermelon Festival , 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8
The city of Glendale will be celebrating the ultimate summer fruit in its historic downtown at Murphy Park. Aside from all things watermelon, the festival offers endless activities for kids, games, and musical performances. Papa Ed's Ice Cream will be holding an all-day ice cream social with traditional flavors and, of course, watermelon-flavored cold treats. The adults can keep themselves occupied at the Coors Light Beer Garden and farmers market. The festival also will showcase various vendors and artists.
23rd Annual Strawberry Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16
The city of Strawberry, in conjunction with Pine, will be holding its annual festival of strawberries on June 15 and 16 to celebrate the city's namesake. The festival will include arts and crafts vendors, live music, and nearly every variation of foods made with strawberries. The Strawberry Festival will be held at the Pine Community Center and Ramada.
2nd Annual Mile High Brew Festival, 1 to 7 p.m. June 15)
Beer lovers rejoice, the 2nd Annual Mile High Brew Festival will yet again provide the opportunity to taste brews from across the Southwest. The festival features over 16 vendors, including Four Peaks Brewing Co. and Big Sky Brewery. Live music and art demonstrations will take place to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Central Arizona. The event will be held at the Courthouse Plaza in downtown Prescott. Admission is $20.
10th Annual Lavender Festival, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 20 to 23 and 27 to 30
Red Rock Farms in the community of Concho will be hosting the 10th Annual Lavender Festival, which will include lavender walking tours, growing tips, and cooking and craft demonstrations. The White Mountains provide a scenic backdrop for the annual festival in additional to slightly cooler temperatures. Admission is $5, but packages can be purchased for $20 for those who wish to eat lunch at the festival, lavender cookies included.
21st Annual Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival1 to 5 p.m. June 22
The Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff will be home to the 21st Annual Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival. The festival will have over 100 craft beers provided by 50 to 60 breweries. Beers of the World will be housed in an indoor barn in addition to food vendors, music, and a silent auction. Designated drivers receive a $30 discount and can enjoy non-alcoholic beverages. Admission is $40 or $80 for VIP passes.
Peach Mania Festival, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 13 and 14, July 20 and 21, July 27 and 28, August 10 and 11, and August 16
Apple Annie's Orchard in Willcox will be celebrating peaches this summer at the 15th Annual Peach Mania Festival. Endless peaches and pancakes will be served until 10:30 a.m. Festivalgoers can pick their own peaches from the orchards and sample peach products like peach pie and ice cream. Lunch will also be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sweet Corn Extravaganza, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 13 and 14 and July 20 and 21
Summer is peak season for corn, and what better way to enjoy this summertime vegetable than at Apple Annie's. Pick sweet corn and enjoy corn on the cob. If corn isn't your thing, Apple Annie's has fields of other vegetables that can also be picked and enjoyed. The picturesque sunflower fields add a nice touch to some summer fun.
Annual HarvestFest , 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 3 and 4
Celebrate the summer by sampling Arizona wines at Sonoita Vineyards just south of Tucson. HarvestFest includes wine tasting and a souvenir glass. Wine and food pairings will be available in addition to winery and vineyard tours. Every day at 1:30, the age-old summertime activity of grape stomping will commence for those who are willing to get their feet a little dirty.
2nd Annual Crayfish Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 10
The Mormon Lake Lodge will be hosting a traditional 2nd Annual Crayfish Festival, celebrating the crustacean also known as crawfish or crawdads. The main event will be the traditional crayfish boil, with trimmings. The festival also will feature bluegrass music and programs about catching, cleaning, and cooking crayfish. Admission is $7 per person or $20 for a family of four, families of seven can purchase tickets for $35.
7th Annual Grape Stomp, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 17 and 18
Nothing says summer in Arizona like stomping on grapes. Coronado Vineyards in Willcox will be hosting the 7th Annual Grape Stomp, which will accompanied by a dangerous combination of live music and wine tasting. Food will be available for purchase to refuel after a long afternoon of grape stomping. Admission is $10.
Prickly Pear Festival, time TBD August 24
The Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior will be honoring the unofficial state fruit of Arizona, the prickly pear, this summer. The festival will offer a "How to Pick and Juice 'Em" class and feature vendors of prickly pear items. Local restaurants will make signature dishes featuring the desert fruit. Porter's Café will host a home brewing class where Pete Rendek will teach how to make prickly pear Indian Pale Ale.
22nd Annual Family CornFest, Arts & Crafts Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. August 25 and 26
The El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix will be home to the 22nd Annual Cornfest, which will feature sweet corn in addition to an art and craft fair with over 60 vendors. Admission is free, but lunch is available for $9. Activities for kids such as face painting will also be available.
13th Annual Apple Harvest Celebration, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. August 31 to September 2
Say goodbye to summer and hello to fall at Apple Annie's Harvest Celebration. Pick Apples of the Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Rome Beauty variety with friends and family. Hand-picked apples are also available for purchase. The farm has pear trees of the Asian variety for those who want a little variety. Apple-infused foods like pancakes, pies, and ice cream will satisfy your craving after a hot day on the orchard.
