Arizona BBQ Festival and Redneck Games Saturday, May 2
This year's annual Arizona BBQ Festival will feature more than 25 barbecue vendor including familiar names such as Honey Bear's, Raging Cajun, and Pork on a Fork. Each vendor will sell samples for $2 each, with larger portions available at higher prices. And if you get tired of the pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken, you can stop by the Bacon Station for a $2 bowl of bacon -- then wash it all down at one of the six bars stationed around festival. If you need to work off some of that meat, head to the Redneck Games area. Show off your stuff at the watermelon seed spitting contest, toilet seat horseshoes, and bobbing for pigs feet, or just dance your Daisy Dukes off to the country cover bands that will play throughout the day. A kids zone will feature bounce houses, slides, and rides for the little ones (though some additional fees may apply). The festival will be held at Salt River Fields and will run from noon to 10 p.m. General admission tickets cost $12 and can be purchased at the Arizona BBQ Festival website.
See also: 5 Best Places to Watch the Kentucky Derby in Metro Phoenix
Gin & Jazz Preservation Party Saturday, May 2
This Saturday evening from 5 to 10 p.m., Heritage Square in Downtown Phoenix celebrates its 35th birthday. The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a champagne toast. Don your flapper beads and feather boas for the swing dance lesson, then dance the evening away to blues-y jazz of the Sugar Thieves. The theme may be Prohibition-era, but the gin will be flowing, along with beer and food trucks. Admission to this swinging evening is $19 and it will be held at 113 N. Sixth Street in Phoenix. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Heritage Square website.
Grub in the Grove at Queen Creek Olive Mill Sunday, May 3
It's the perfect time for a backyard barbecue. Sunny but not-too-hot weather, yard games, music, and booze. But then comes the food: frozen pink pucks of ground beef and value-packs of mealy hot dogs are thrown on the grill. A bag of orange-powder covered snacks is ripped open. A tub of grocery store potato salad makes its appearance. May we suggest Queen Creek Olive Mill's Grub in the Grove event instead? You'll still get the yard games and wine and beer in what is essentially a big backyard. But instead of over-charred grocery store meat, you'll be able to take your pick between some Valley food truck favorites. The Grilled Cheese Truck, The Great Phoking Food Truck, LA Roots Food Truck and Burger's Amore will all make an appearance. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 25062 S. Meridian Rd in Queen Creek. Visit the Queen Creek Olive Mill site for more information.
