8 Small Towns In Arizona That Host Unforgettable Events

Abstract

• Small cities in Arizona host distinctive festivals that entice guests with dwell music, scrumptious meals, and native merchandise.
• From tamale festivals to wine and meals festivals, these small cities present an enormous expertise with a small-town really feel.
• Occasions like Salsafest and the Patagonia Fall Competition showcase the wealthy tradition and group spirit of those small Arizona cities.

Phoenix, Tucson, Scottsdale, and Mesa, Arizona, are all identified for having some spectacular occasions all year long that herald guests by the hundreds. Not solely does this assist make the occasions bigger yearly, however they’re income makers for the cities as effectively.

Nevertheless, it’s not simply the large cities, like Phoenix that can be visited affordably, that know the way to get festive. Small cities, even cities which have a inhabitants within the a whole bunch versus the hundreds, get into the spirit of holidays, throw an enormous competition within the identify of regionally grown flora or fauna, and even have one thing that’s food-centric because the theme of the day. Whereas the size of the occasion can rival that of any metropolis, it’s the small-town really feel that every locale has to supply along with their huge occasions that make every one thing price experiencing.

Listed here are 8 small cities in Arizona that host unforgettable occasions.

8 Somerton, Arizona

Occasion: Somerton Tamale Competition

Somerton is situated in Yuma County. The city was based in 1898 when the area was claimed as a result of the Rancho El Paso de Los Algodones Grant. A grant that was later not allowed by Congress. However, in accordance with the publication, these settlers who have been within the space earlier than 1898 have been permitted to buy 40 acres of land and domesticate it to develop produce. The identical produce that’s grown in the present day.

The city has gained renown for its Somerton Tamale Competition, the largest of its kind in Arizona. With over 30,000 attendees, the competition affords tamales from dozens of distributors, every with a novel twist on components.

As well as, there may be dwell music, one of the best tamale contest, and distributors promoting items apart from tamales as effectively. The proceeds go to the El Diablito ASU Alumni Club for college students attending Arizona State College.

The Tamale Competition takes place in December. Dates for 2024 have but to be launched.

7 Safford

Occasion: Salsafest

Safford, situated in Graham County, was settled in 1874. At the moment, the town was a place for mining and was home to two separate US Army units that helped to maintain peace within the space. The peace allowed farmers to return right here and develop varied crops on account of the fertile soil that got here from the Gila River.

Right this moment, Safford has individuals journey to the city to participate in Salsafest. The occasion, from September 27-28, 2024, brings individuals from throughout Arizona to Safford with their distinctive salsa recipes.

Those that enter have the chance to win $1,000.00 for one of the best Salsa. However it’s not simply these coming to city to compete who take pleasure in Salsafest. It’s for anybody who loves just a little kick with their tomato and pepper-based recipes and who desires to take pleasure in a day of salsa consuming together with dwell music and a beer backyard.

The leftover salsa is usually donated to native eating places in order that the nice tastes of the day don’t finish with dinner.

6 Sedona

Occasion: Sedona Worldwide Movie Competition

Sedona, situated in Coconino County, had settlers coming to the world as early as 1876. Nevertheless, it was not till 1900 that 15 families lived in Sedona. As such, a resort, basic retailer, and put up workplace have been arrange by TC Schnelby. It was when he went to submit the identify of the city to Washington DC for the put up workplace that Schnelby bumped into hassle.

Washington, DC, had a coverage in opposition to multi-word city names. After Schnelby’s a number of identify solutions have been rejected, he submitted his spouse’s identify, Sedona. The identify was truly coined by Sedona’s mom at her start and, as such, doesn’t have Native American or Spanish origins, as said within the publication.

Right this moment, individuals come to Sedona for spiritual weekend resets. Nevertheless, Sedona additionally has individuals coming from far and extensive for the Sedona International Film Festival. The competition has been going sturdy for 30 years and boasts over 140 movies from everywhere in the world being screened over 9 days, from February 24 to March 3, 2024.

Be it Oscar-nominated films, films which have gained awards at different movie festivals, or movies by up-and-coming artists, the Sedona Worldwide Movie Competition has a movie for everybody to take pleasure in.

5 Dewey

Occasion: Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Fest

Dewey, situated in Yavapai County, was a city of ranchers and farmers. Like different areas in Arizona, Dewey, the city was underneath fixed assault from the Apache. However one rancher, King Woolsey, took it upon himself to rid the area of Apache with the assistance of his ranch palms. One thing that was ultimately completed by being victorious when the Apache attacked, looking for out the Apache and attacking, and even poisoning the Apache with meals. The latter of which was generally known as “The Pinole Treaty.” This allowed settlers to dwell peacefully of their homesteads with out worry of being attacked.

Right this moment, Dewey attracts guests for the Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Fest, held from September by October, which embodies the essence of fall. The competition contains a big corn maze, dwell leisure, prepare rides, hayrides, and farm-to-table meals.

Through the night hours, hearth dancers, a corn maze at evening, barn dances, and extra could be participated in for an awesome day of enjoyable. All of those could be skilled September 27-October 27, 2024.

4 Superior, Arizona

Occasion: Prickly Pear Competition

Superior is situated in Pinal County. The town was founded in 1880 under the name of Queen. It was based due to the neighborhood of the silver that was being discovered within the space. As soon as the silver was gone, miners went after copper. Even in the present day, copper is being mined proper close to the Magma Mine, which was as soon as so profitable for these dwelling in Superior and the encompassing areas.

Nowadays, Superior touts the Prickly Pear Festival. On the competition, guests can discover ways to forage for prickly pears and luxuriate in a wide range of meals created from them, together with baked items and foremost programs. Native eating places additionally take part, providing dishes that incorporate prickly pears.

There may be additionally dwell leisure, items, and native produce for buy.

The occasion takes place yearly in August. Nevertheless, the date for 2024 has but to be launched.

3 Tombstone, Arizona

Occasion: Wyatt Earp Days

Tombstone is situated in Cochise County. Nicknamed, ‘The Town Too Tough To Die,” Tombstone was based in 1878 by Ed Schieffelin, a prospector on the lookout for each silver and gold. Whereas gold was not largely present in Tombstone, silver bouillon was. This increase introduced hundreds to the world, ultimately reaching a inhabitants of 14,000 by the late Eighties.

Tombstone is worth visiting for its attractions and history. It’s best identified for the battle on the OK Corral. Nevertheless, Tombstone additionally has Wyatt Earp Days. Through the three-day occasion, guests to the city gown as much as replicate on the times of Wyatt Earp. Varied bands carry out, there’s a Wyatt Earp lookalike occasion, a gunfight, youngsters’ video games, and a lot extra.

Wyatt Earp Days takes place from Might 24-26, 2024. The occasion is free and continues to realize a bigger following 12 months after 12 months.

2 Patagonia

Occasion: Patagonia Fall Competition

Patagonia, situated in Santa Cruz County, has a historical past marked by battle earlier than it turned a peaceable city. Initially, local Native American tribes faced attacks from the Apache within the space. The scenario improved when settlers and prospectors arrived within the mid-1850s, and the US Military helped to discourage the assaults.

Nevertheless, throughout the Civil Warfare, the military needed to depart Arizona, resulting in a resurgence of Apache assaults on each Native Individuals and settlers. The battle ended with the conclusion of the Civil Warfare when the military returned to the world. In 1891, due to the efforts of rancher and veteran RR Richardson, Patagonia was lastly settled, changing into a tranquil various to Flagstaff.

Right this moment, individuals flock to Patagonia for the Patagonia Fall Festival. The artwork and music competition boasts over 100 artisans promoting items that vary from house decor to jewellery and wine glasses. There may be dwell music and a beer and wine backyard, and with over 15,000 people coming to the small town, it’s a big money-maker for the group.

The Patagonia Fall Competition takes place in mid-October. The dates for 2024 have but to be launched.

1 Jerome

Occasion: Jerome Wine Meals & Flower Competition

Jerome, situated in Yavapai County, was as soon as generally known as the wickedest town in the West. It has a history that is deeply based on mining. It was not gold that was being mined; nonetheless, it was copper. Between William A. Clark’s United Verde mine and James S. Douglas’s Little Daisy mine, there was a copper increase within the city. The copper mining in Jerome lasted till 1953.

Right this moment, Jerome brings in guests for the Wine Food & Flower Festival. A weekend-long occasion that brings collectively the native wine and meals of Arizona, full with completed florists, to make the occasion one thing to recollect.

All through the occasion, in accordance with the publication, there shall be wine tasting, samples of scrumptious small bites, flower exhibitions, and bouquets on the market, in addition to elegant sit-down dinners and even ghost excursions. On condition that the city of Jerome is actually a working ghost city in the present day, the occasion, from Might 31 to June 2, 2024, brings in hundreds who’re within the native delicacies and wine from Northern Arizona.

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