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October 2016
Feature Patagonia Fall Festival Patagonia, Arizona by C.J. Shane |
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Sonoran Desert days, and nights, too, are cool again, and the monsoon season just officially ended. It’s time to start thinking about enjoying the many fall art and music festivals in southern Arizona. Chief among them is the Patagonia Fall Festival held in the lovely little mountain town of Patagonia in southern Santa Cruz County. The festival will be held from October 7-9, 2016.
Bonnie Maclean, manager of the Patagonia Fall Festival, tells us that the three day festival is now in its 28th year. Patagonia, which normally has a population of 913, will host several thousand visitors from near and far who come to the festival to enjoy arts and crafts, music, and food and wine. There will be 140+ vendors, artists, non-profit organizations, wineries, and food vendors at the Patagonia Fall Festival.
Bonnie Maclean, manager of the Patagonia Fall Festival, tells us that the three day festival is now in its 28th year. Patagonia, which normally has a population of 913, will host several thousand visitors from near and far who come to the festival to enjoy arts and crafts, music, and food and wine. There will be 140+ vendors, artists, non-profit organizations, wineries, and food vendors at the Patagonia Fall Festival.
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“We have a variety of music and entertainment this year,” says Maclean. “We begin with the Sky Islands Cammerata, a local group comprised of a wide range of musical talents. LoBros is a Latin Funk Neo-Classical Electronica Jazz-Rock Fusion band out of Tucson. Other favorites are the Danny Brito Latin Jazz Trio and Mariachi Plata. For the classically inclined, we have Skyline Flutes and Nota Bene.”
She adds that visual arts are equally important at the festival. “Visual arts are everywhere and in many ways the focus of the festival. After strolling through the park, visitors are encouraged to visit any of our local galleries. After a day in the park, many people choose to return to the local shops and galleries at a later date, when the crowds are gone.” |
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“In addition to music and vendors representing a wide selection of visual arts,” Maclean adds that, “We have many artisan type products from soaps and lotions to candles. We have three booths this year with representatives from south of the border that have brought handcrafted items from their villages included Mata Ortiz pottery and a delightful selection of intricate beadwork and jewelry.”
Maclean promises that the festival will be “a delight” for the foodies among us, and the wine aficionados, too. “Vegetarians can “live it up” at Sparkie’s Cantina and Hot Bamboo, while meat lovers can indulge in the Dragoon’s Wicked Burger, Thai BBQ, Gourmet Hot Dogs from Mutts. And the list goes on. If the festival fare doesn’t strike your fancy, there are several places to eat on the local scene. The Wagon Wheel Casino, Mercedes, the Velvet Elvis, Gathering Grounds, Wildhorse Café, and the Ovens of Patagonia will all be open during the festival. No one should leave hungry.”
“In addition to food, the Patagonia Fall Festival invites several of the local wineries and distilleries to sample their wares. You can taste, buy a glass, or take home a bottle of local wine or try a sample from one of Arizona’s original distilleries. Beer will also be available in our Beer and Wine garden.”
Maclean promises that the festival will be “a delight” for the foodies among us, and the wine aficionados, too. “Vegetarians can “live it up” at Sparkie’s Cantina and Hot Bamboo, while meat lovers can indulge in the Dragoon’s Wicked Burger, Thai BBQ, Gourmet Hot Dogs from Mutts. And the list goes on. If the festival fare doesn’t strike your fancy, there are several places to eat on the local scene. The Wagon Wheel Casino, Mercedes, the Velvet Elvis, Gathering Grounds, Wildhorse Café, and the Ovens of Patagonia will all be open during the festival. No one should leave hungry.”
“In addition to food, the Patagonia Fall Festival invites several of the local wineries and distilleries to sample their wares. You can taste, buy a glass, or take home a bottle of local wine or try a sample from one of Arizona’s original distilleries. Beer will also be available in our Beer and Wine garden.”
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Children and families are well-served at this festival. “This year we’ve added an activity tent for children. Crafts and other activities are hosted by our local youth center and geared toward children of all ages,” Maclean adds. Also there will be puppets! “Families will love PuppetsAmongUs. There’s a little something for everyone. “
The festival began many years ago as a barbeque for the Patagonia fire department. Over time, the festival evolved as a fundraiser for the Sky Islands Tourism Association. “The mission of the Sky Islands Tourism Association is to encourage in Elgin, Sonoita, and the Patagonia area, Maclean explains. “The Sky Islands Tourism Association publishes a map of the area, a map of the wineries, and brochure about the area. In addition, they run the regional visitor’s center in Patagonia and a website.”
“The Festival goes beyond raising funds for SITA,” she adds. “Many of our local non-profits are represented at the festival and offer everything from information on their activities to bake sales to raffles as a way to earn funds for their activities.”
Check out the festival’s schedule at PatagoniaFallFestival http://patagoniafallfestival.com/event-schedule/
To learn more about the work of the Sky Islands Tourism Association, and to see a listing of Patagonia art galleries, go to VisitSkyIslands www.visitskyislands.com
The festival began many years ago as a barbeque for the Patagonia fire department. Over time, the festival evolved as a fundraiser for the Sky Islands Tourism Association. “The mission of the Sky Islands Tourism Association is to encourage in Elgin, Sonoita, and the Patagonia area, Maclean explains. “The Sky Islands Tourism Association publishes a map of the area, a map of the wineries, and brochure about the area. In addition, they run the regional visitor’s center in Patagonia and a website.”
“The Festival goes beyond raising funds for SITA,” she adds. “Many of our local non-profits are represented at the festival and offer everything from information on their activities to bake sales to raffles as a way to earn funds for their activities.”
Check out the festival’s schedule at PatagoniaFallFestival http://patagoniafallfestival.com/event-schedule/
To learn more about the work of the Sky Islands Tourism Association, and to see a listing of Patagonia art galleries, go to VisitSkyIslands www.visitskyislands.com
