Safford Spring Festival is this weekend

Contributed Photo: The Safford Spring Festival featuring music, art, and wine, will take place in Downtown Safford on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22.

Contributed Article/Courtesy Graham County Chamber of Commerce

SAFFORD – The Graham County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 2023 Safford Spring Festival opening dates, times, and locations!

The Safford Spring Festival is a celebration of wine, art, history, and Gila Valley culture. With tremendous support from the City of Safford, this two-day event of fun activities in Downtown Safford features something for everyone. This year the event will take place on Friday, April 21, and Saturday, April 22, at Safford Fireman’s Park, 717 W. Main St. On Friday, the event opens at 5 p.m. with live music and an opening ceremony, and will close at 10 p.m. On Saturday morning, the festival opens at 8 a.m. with yoga classes, followed by Earth Day Tree Planting by the City of Safford at 9 a.m. on the City Hall lawn.

Contributed Photo: A variety of wines will be available to sample.

A grand opening ceremony at Fancy Pizzeria will also take place on Saturday at 628 S. 8th Ave, Safford. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be conducted through the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and will begin at 11 a.m. During the grand opening, customers may purchase one pizza and receive another at no cost.

The Safford Spring Festival closes at 10 p.m., with a free concert at 9 p.m. featuring JJ’s Band on Friday. Throughout the day a beer garden will be functioning, wine tickets and glasses will be on sale while more than 65 vendors will be displaying their wares as food trucks operate.  Wineries attending this year include Elgin Winery, Elgin Distillery, Sonoyta Vineyard, and Waggin’ Vineyard and Estate.

Those attending the festival are encouraged to visit the other events coinciding with the festival including the Gila Valley Film Festival at 426 Main Street in Safford Thursday through Saturday, and the Gila Valley Wedding and Event Fair which will be held on Saturday at 428 and 430 West Main Street in Safford. Also, visitors are encouraged to visit Pima Heritage Days in Pima for an annual dose of local history at the Eastern Arizona Museum and Historical Society on Friday afternoon and Saturday.

Festival attendees are welcome to take a stroll in the Safford downtown area and photograph the mural artwork and post them online with the hashtag #SaffordSpringFestival2023. Show off the amazing artwork within our community and encourage others to join you in the festivities! 

The Safford Spring Festival is organized by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Safford Downtown Association, Gila Valley Film Festival, Gila Valley Adventure Club, Graham County Historic Society, Eastern Arizona Historic Society, the City of Safford, Town of Thatcher, Town of Pima, and Graham County. Our Copper Chamber Members, Bayacan LLC, and NatureSweet Tomatoes also play a massive role in making this event possible.

“It’s a perfect way to start out the new year while gathering with your family and community,” said Brooke Curley, Graham County Chamber of Commerce marketing director.