(Photo: Courtesy of Arizona Taco Festival)
With triple-digit temperatures already here, there’s a lull in food and drink events in metro Phoenix.
So we sought out the best festivals to feed your appetite and quench your thirst across Arizona, with a few (indoor) Valley events sprinkled throughout.
Enjoy one of summer’s tastiest vegetables grilled up plain or flavored with herb and Parmesan, roasted garlic and black pepper or chile lime. Outside, guests can purchase grilled sandwiches, salads, craft beer and wine. The regular menu will be served inside. Happy hour, from 5 to 7 p.m., offers a $20 special with two pints and two cheese pizzas. Notes from Neptune will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival
The long-running beer festival celebrates 25 years. Patrons receive a souvenir mug with 24 sampling tickets to try brews from more than 120 breweries. The event also features food vendors, live bands and DJs. Proceeds benefit Sun Sounds of Arizona.
Flagstaff Blues and Brews Festival
Patrons can enjoy great music and beers at this event. Eleven bands will play throughout the day, including the North Mississippi Allstars, Joe Kopecki and Victor Wainwright and the Wild Roots. VIP ticket holders have access to private restrooms, shaded areas, a prime stage view, private bar and food all day.
Details: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, June 10. Continental Driving Range, 5200 E. Old Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff. $35 for general admission; $85 for VIP. 928-606-5601, flagstaffblues.com.
MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
Flagstaff Chili Festival
This two-day ode to the delicious stew will feature the 34th annual Route 66 Regional Chili Cookoff on Saturday and the 46th annual Arizona State Championship Chili Cookoff on Sunday. Guests can fill up on 10 samples of chili for $5. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 10. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 11. Thorpe Park, 191 N. Thorpe Road, Flagstaff. $5 for 10 tasting tickets. Additional tickets cost 50 cents. chilicookoff.com.
27th Annual Pine-Strawberry Summer Fest
Soak up the cool Northern Arizona weather while enjoying food, arts and craft vendors, family-friendly activities and plenty of strawberries and berry treats.
Tucson 23 Mexican Food Festival
The city features some amazing Mexican fare, especially in a 23-mile stretch that encompasses south Tuscon, downtown and lower midtown. The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance hosts the second annual festival, featuring food and drink samples from more than 25 eateries, breweries and wineries. The event is for all ages and includes mariachi and ballet folklorico performers, Dia de los Muertos face painting, photo booth and an interactive art project.
Details: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17. JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., Tucson. $49 for general admission; $10 for a raffle ticket. saaca.org/tucson23.html.
The Taco Festival Flagstaff
The Valley’s popular taco festival has launched a national tour, stopping first in Flagstaff. Visitors purchase tokens for $2 and can use them to get tacos and beverages. The event will feature the Tiny Taco Dog Beauty Pageant, wrestling, a tequila expo and hot chili pepper eating contest.
Details: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, July 1. Pepsi Amphitheater at Fort Tuthill Park, Fort Tuthill Coconino County Fairgrounds. $12 for general admission; $20 for the tequila expo; $2 per token. thetacofestival.com.
Camp Verde Cornfest
Enjoy all the roasted and buttered sweet corn you can handle at this annual festival. The two-day event also features a craft fair, music, food and kids activities. For an admission fee, visitors can tour the park, which will host a vintage baseball game and technology presentation.
Details: 3-10 p.m. Friday, July 14. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Free festival admission. Park admission fee is $7; $4 for ages 7 to 13; free for ages 6 and younger. Fort Verde Historic State Park, 125 E. Hollamon St., Camp Verde. campverdepromotions.org.
Arizona Breakfast Weekend
The Arizona Restaurant Association hosts this four-day celebration of the most important meal of the day. Participating restaurants throughout the state will offer tasty breakfasts, ranging from $7 to $15 during breakfast and brunch hours. Some restaurants will take reservations, which is recommended.
Details: Thursday, July 27, through Sunday, July 30. View a list of participating restaurants at arizonabreakfastweekend.com.
Real, Wild and Woody Beer Festival
The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild hosts the fourth annual beer festival, highlighting unique varieties including cask beers, wild ales and barrel-aged brews from Arizona and out-of-state breweries. General admission includes 20 beer samples and small bites from local restaurants. Designated driver tickets include the small bits.
Details: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Phoenix Convention Center, South Building, 33 S. Third St. $57 for general admission; $25 for designated driver. realwildandwoody.com.
Harvestfest
The annual festival from the Southern Arizona winery includes a grape stomp, wine tastings, winery and vineyard tours and food pairings. VIP ticket holders will have access to separate restrooms and a private bar, after-hours party and tours, lunch and VIP parking.
Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 29. Sonoita Vineyards, 290 Elgin Canelo Road. $25-$30 for general admission; $85 for VIP. 520-455-5893, sonoitavineyards.com.
Payson Food Truck Fest
This inaugural festival will feature an array of food trucks, including the American Poutine Company, Kona Ice and Waffle Crush. The lineup will include live bands, cooking demonstrations, backyard games, food eating contests and a beer garden.
[“Source-ndtv”]
