Contributed Photo: The 13th annual Prickly Pear Festival will be held in Superior on Saturday, Aug. 24.
Contributed Article
SUPERIOR – Now in its 13th year, Superior celebrates ‘all things nopal’ Aug. 24 with the town’s annual Prickly Pear Festival, a Saturday morning that begins for early birds with Prickly Pear foraging from 7- 9 a.m. at the Superior air strip located just off the U.S. Highway 60 and Apache Leap road. This will be hosted by the experienced foragers from Aravaipa Condor, they will demonstrate how to safely harvest prickly pear and how to remove the cactus spines to prep them for processing.
Starting at 9 a.m., guest speakers will give demonstrations and presentations on food education, foraging, and plant medicine throughout the day – all at the Chamber of Commerce office at 165 Main St. Guest speakers include John Slattery, Peter Bigfoot, ‘Cactus Kelly’ Athena, Peggy Sue Sorenson, Brett Vibber, Mike Monteil, and more.
Downtown Main Street is where the street fair begins – with a pancake breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Superior Fire Department – with prickly pear syrup, of course! They will be sharing space with the farmers market inside the Senior Center at 360 Main St. Prickly Pear Festival vendor spaces are still available, for vendor applications and event updates like-and-follow facebook.com/Prickly-Pear-Festival-875412642512672; or on Instagram ‘prickly pear Fest Superior’ or if you have vendor or festival questions send an email to Pricklypearfestsuperior@gmail.com.
Food trucks and local restaurants will feature prickly pear fruit, ‘Nopal’ cactus specials, and other desert edibles – like prickly pear ice cream at Felicia’s, margaritas at Porter’s, and prickly pear BBQ at Silver King Smokehouse. Gila County’s own Bruzzi Vineyard wine tasting room will be serving Prickly pear Spritzers. Local folkloricos will be performing in the evening along with D.J. and entertainment. Cool off at our Prickly Paradise Beer Garden next to our retail and art vendors located at Besich Park 240 W. Main St.
Like and follow “Prickly Pear Festival” on Facebook for updates.