8 Small Towns In Arizona That Host Unforgettable Events

Abstract

• Small cities in Arizona host distinctive festivals that appeal to guests with dwell music, scrumptious meals, and native merchandise.
• From tamale festivals to wine and meals festivals, these small cities present a giant expertise with a small-town really feel.
• Occasions like Salsafest and the Patagonia Fall Competition showcase the wealthy tradition and neighborhood 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 1000’s. Not solely does this assist make the occasions bigger yearly, however they’re income makers for the cities as properly.

Nevertheless, it’s not simply the large cities, like Phoenix that can be visited affordably, that know easy methods to get festive. Small cities, even cities which have a inhabitants within the lots of versus the 1000’s, get into the spirit of holidays, throw a large competition within the title of domestically 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 large 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 line with the publication, these settlers who had been within the space earlier than 1898 had been permitted to buy 40 acres of land and domesticate it to develop produce. The identical produce that’s grown at present.

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

As well as, there may be dwell music, the very best tamale contest, and distributors promoting items apart from tamales as properly. The proceeds go to the El Diablito ASU Alumni Club for college kids 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 come back right here and develop varied crops because of the fertile soil that got here from the Gila River.

At the 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 the very best Salsa. However it’s not simply these coming to city to compete who get pleasure from Salsafest. It’s for anybody who loves a little bit kick with their tomato and pepper-based recipes and who desires to get pleasure from 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, common retailer, and publish workplace had been arrange by TC Schnelby. It was when he went to submit the title of the city to Washington DC for the publish workplace that Schnelby bumped into hassle.

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

At the moment, individuals come to Sedona for spiritual weekend resets. Nevertheless, Sedona additionally has individuals coming from far and vast for the Sedona International Film Festival. The competition has been going robust for 30 years and boasts over 140 movies from all around the world being screened over 9 days, from February 24 to March 3, 2024.

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

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 below 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 fingers. One thing that was ultimately achieved by being victorious when the Apache attacked, searching 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.

At the moment, Dewey attracts guests for the Mortimer Farms Pumpkin Fest, held from September by means of October, which embodies the essence of fall. The competition includes a large corn maze, dwell leisure, practice rides, hayrides, and farm-to-table meals.

In the course of the night hours, fireplace dancers, a corn maze at evening, barn dances, and extra will be participated in for an excellent day of enjoyable. All of those will 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 at present, copper is being mined proper close to the Magma Mine, which was as soon as so profitable for these residing in Superior and the encompassing areas.

Today, 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 made out of them, together with baked items and important 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 in search of each silver and gold. Whereas gold was not largely present in Tombstone, silver bouillon was. This growth introduced 1000’s to the world, ultimately reaching a inhabitants of 14,000 by the late Eighteen 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. In the course of the three-day occasion, guests to the city costume as much as replicate on the times of Wyatt Earp. Varied bands carry out, there’s a Wyatt Earp lookalike occasion, a gunfight, children’ video games, and a lot extra.

Wyatt Earp Days takes place from Could 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 grew to become 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 Struggle, the military needed to depart Arizona, resulting in a resurgence of Apache assaults on each Native People and settlers. The battle ended with the conclusion of the Civil Struggle 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.

At the 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 neighborhood.

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 growth within the city. The copper mining in Jerome lasted till 1953.

At the 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 achieved florists, to make the occasion one thing to recollect.

All through the occasion, in line with the publication, there will likely 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. Provided that the city of Jerome is actually a working ghost city at present, the occasion, from Could 31 to June 2, 2024, brings in 1000’s who’re within the native delicacies and wine from Northern Arizona.

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