July, 2018 Edition
View current issue7th Annual Prickly Pear Festival: A Celebration of our Edible Desert
Celebrate the edible wonders of the Sonoran Desert
The Seventh Annual Prickly Pear Festival, hosted by the Superior Chamber of Commerce, is set for Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 in the quaint and dynamic mountain town of Superior, Arizona. The festival celebrates all the edible wonders of the Sonoran Desert while showcasing the many products and health benefits of the prickly pear cactus. Along with the festival activities, most of the local restaurants and retail merchants will have special sales and prickly pear items for sale.
This year’s event will feature a Prickly Pear Foraging hike, which begins at 7 a.m. Those attending the hike should meet at the Superior Municipal Airport, located on US Highway 60. Hikers should wear long pants and sleeves along with sturdy shoes. To pick the prickly pear fruit, you will need tongs and a bucket or container to hold your fruit.
Following the hike, stop by the Veterans of Foreign War Hall on Main Street for a pancake breakfast, but be sure you top your pancakes with the homemade sweet and tangy prickly pear syrup. The cost for breakfast is a generous donation of your choice. The breakfast includes sausage, pancakes, coffee and juice. All proceeds benefit the local VFW Post.
At 10 a.m., let the fun begin at the Superior Town Hall, located at 199 Lobb Ave. just a block off of Main Street. This restored school, now the local municipal complex will play host to many educational speakers on the edible desert, a prickly pear beer making demonstration, live mariachi music, Mexican folklorico dancers, food trucks, the Prickly Pear Pageant and the Cactus Lounge, which will feature Superior’s famous Prickly Pear Margarita. The vendors, art show and demonstrations will run until 5 p.m. The Cactus Lounge will close at 6 p.m.
The third annual Prickly Pear Pageant is a pageant that celebrates vintage clothing and a unique theme each year. Prizes are awarded to the contestants, who best showcase the theme of the pageant. This year the theme of the pageant is “Hollywood Inspired.” Participants can contact Tina Casillas at 480-399-5895 or [email protected].
The Second Annual Prickly Pear Cook-off will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Superior Senior Center, located at 360 Main St. Those wishing to enter a dish in the contest should contact Mila Besich-Lira no later than Aug. 1, 2018. For complete rules and regulations contact [email protected]. This year there will be two categories for entries: desserts and main entrees/appetizers. Cash prizes will be awarded. The presentation by contestants will happen between noon and 1 p.m.
New to the festival this year will be the Superior Prickly Pear Margarita Shake Off, hosted in the Cactus Lounge. This event invites local bartenders along with novice bartenders to show off their skills and earn the title as “The Most Superior Prickly Pear Margarita Maker.” For more information on contest entry and rules, contact the Superior Chamber of Commerce at 520-689-0200 or via email at [email protected].
Superior is located 60 miles east of Downtown Phoenix and is an easy drive on the newly expanded US Highway 60. For an up-to-date festival schedule visit our website at www.superiorarizonachamber.org.
This year’s event will feature a Prickly Pear Foraging hike, which begins at 7 a.m. Those attending the hike should meet at the Superior Municipal Airport, located on US Highway 60. Hikers should wear long pants and sleeves along with sturdy shoes. To pick the prickly pear fruit, you will need tongs and a bucket or container to hold your fruit.
Following the hike, stop by the Veterans of Foreign War Hall on Main Street for a pancake breakfast, but be sure you top your pancakes with the homemade sweet and tangy prickly pear syrup. The cost for breakfast is a generous donation of your choice. The breakfast includes sausage, pancakes, coffee and juice. All proceeds benefit the local VFW Post.
At 10 a.m., let the fun begin at the Superior Town Hall, located at 199 Lobb Ave. just a block off of Main Street. This restored school, now the local municipal complex will play host to many educational speakers on the edible desert, a prickly pear beer making demonstration, live mariachi music, Mexican folklorico dancers, food trucks, the Prickly Pear Pageant and the Cactus Lounge, which will feature Superior’s famous Prickly Pear Margarita. The vendors, art show and demonstrations will run until 5 p.m. The Cactus Lounge will close at 6 p.m.
The third annual Prickly Pear Pageant is a pageant that celebrates vintage clothing and a unique theme each year. Prizes are awarded to the contestants, who best showcase the theme of the pageant. This year the theme of the pageant is “Hollywood Inspired.” Participants can contact Tina Casillas at 480-399-5895 or [email protected].
The Second Annual Prickly Pear Cook-off will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Superior Senior Center, located at 360 Main St. Those wishing to enter a dish in the contest should contact Mila Besich-Lira no later than Aug. 1, 2018. For complete rules and regulations contact [email protected]. This year there will be two categories for entries: desserts and main entrees/appetizers. Cash prizes will be awarded. The presentation by contestants will happen between noon and 1 p.m.
New to the festival this year will be the Superior Prickly Pear Margarita Shake Off, hosted in the Cactus Lounge. This event invites local bartenders along with novice bartenders to show off their skills and earn the title as “The Most Superior Prickly Pear Margarita Maker.” For more information on contest entry and rules, contact the Superior Chamber of Commerce at 520-689-0200 or via email at [email protected].
Superior is located 60 miles east of Downtown Phoenix and is an easy drive on the newly expanded US Highway 60. For an up-to-date festival schedule visit our website at www.superiorarizonachamber.org.
Read Next
Experience Old Dominion Days in Globe
Join the Gila County Historical Society for a celebration of the golden age of Arizona