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Pistachios are approaching their prime color this week at Boyce Thompson Arboretum – just in time for the popular Arizona State Park’s annual “Fall Foliage Finale Festival” Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 29-30. BTA is open Thanksgiving Thursday until 4:00, and all-day of ‘Black Friday’ for visitors who prefer peaceful gardens, birds & butterflies — over big box stores and doorbusters. How’s the foliage this year? BTA staff have been answering that question for the past few weeks and will tell you that while the Honey Locust and Jujube trees have already shed their bright yellow canopies of leaves, the more famous Chinese pistachio trees are predicted for peak foliage somewhere between Nov. 25-Dec.5, most likely at their loveliest the weekend of Thanksgiving, and for about 7-10 days following. Located just west of Superior on Highway 60, the Arboretum boasts ‘Arizona’s Fall Foliage Finale’ each November, a full glorious month after the colorful aspen and maple leaves have already fallen and denuded trees of Arizona’s higher elevation deciduous forests. Consider an outdoor Thanksgiving meal in the picnic area – visitors can use BBQ grills adjacent to table watch for the family whose annual tradition is to sit down to their holiday meal dressed as Pilgrims & Indians.
Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 29-30 brings a festival with live music by West Valley recording artist Scott Schaefer (flute, didgeridoo, guzheng) and guest accompanists. Carry a little cash; volunteers serve hot spiced cider and donuts near exhibits by arts & crafts vendors both days of the weekend, with events rom about 10am til 3pm. Looking for unique gifts made by talented Valley artisans? Mesa mixed-media artist Jenn Jansen crafts earrings and other unique bling from recycled pop cans (how’s that for pop art?). Check out ceramics by Ilana Flyer, and Sunday will showcase glass art by Laurie Nessell. Lunch plans? The nearby town of Superior has a variety of restaurants just five-minutes drive East, or carry cash to buy fresh artisanal pizzas made on-site by Brick House Bakers’ Bert Archer from a trailer mounted, wood-fired pizza oven where he’ll be firing $15 pies (cash only) from 11am – 2pm both days.
For seasonal updates and reports on the Fall color as it progresses check out facebook.com/boycethompsonarboretum, or call staff at 520-689-2723 during daytime business hours.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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