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Prickly pear goodies including cookies, jelly and juice provided by Nancy Vogler.
Mila Besich-Lira | Copper Area News
Copper Area News
Are you looking for something to do this Saturday? Have you missed the last two Prickly Pear Festivals, and wondered what it was all about? Maybe you have thought that the these little cacti were nothing more than an nuisance and were nothing to celebrate? Come learn more about these cacti and enjoy a day celebrating the many things that are good about our little town of Superior.
Saturday, starts out at 6:30 a.m. with two hike choices; both hikes will include walks through the Tonto National Forest where there is ample viewing of Prickly Pears. The first hike is the annual walk into Pinal City with Tonto National Forest Archeologist Scott Wood. Wood will share historical information on the once famous mining town that was set the foundation for settlement into the area. The second hike is new to the schedule this year and will include a loop walk from Picket Post Mountain and into Arnett Canyon. This hike is being led by local hiking expert Bill Vogler. Both the loop trail and the Pinal City trails are part of the Legends of Superior Trails system, so if you have been meaning to check out these trails this is a great time to take a guided hike. Those hiking should begin meeting at the Superior Airport on US 60 at 6 a.m.
Those who have ventured out on a morning adventure on the hikes will return in time for the Annual Superior Fire Department Pancake Breakfast. Our local first responders make a filling breakfast of pancakes, ham, eggs, juice and of course, prickly pear syrup! For a suggested donation of $6 per plate you can fill up and be ready to explore the rest of the Prickly Pear Festival. For those of you who are not early birds, you can still grab this delicious breakfast from 7-11 a.m. Breakfast will be served at Porter’s Cafe Patio.
The rest of the festival kicks off at 9 a.m., and that’s when the celebrating really begins! Event goers can participate in classes that teach you how to brew prickly pear beer and wine, or cook healthy meals with the prickly pear cacti pads and fruit. There will be vendors on hand selling all sorts of arts and crafts, cookbooks and edible desert items. The vendor booths and beer/margarita garden will be held at the Superior Chamber of Commerce office. The first 100 festival goers who register at the Superior Chamber of Commerce office will receive a prickly pear cacti pad. The brewing classes will be held at Porter’s Cafe and the other culinary classes and lectures will be held at the Superior Senior Center on Main St..
You will want to get checked in at the Chamber so you will have a full menu of items being sold by local restaurants. Felicia’s Ice Cream will feature a prickly pear ice cream; La Serna will have her famous red or green chile nopales (these are probably the closest to nopales made by your nana, just saying). Stop by Jade Grill for a BBQ Sandwich made with prickly pear sauce or Lucy’s famous egg rolls with her prickly pear syrup. Los Hermanos, Casa Denogean, Edwardo’s Pizza will also have prickly pear inspired items on their menus this Saturday.
The Bureau of Land Management and the Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition will have information out on the the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act and will have activities for the kids. They will be located on Neary and Main St. near Besich Park.
For more information, go online to www.superiorarizonachamber.org or call 520-689-0200.
Mila Besich is a resident of Superior with two children. She volunteers for many local organizations. She is an experienced fundraiser and event planner for Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition. She covers some of the area town councils and schools.
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