Gathering prickly pear fruit at the 2024 Prickly Pear Festival. Photo by Debbie Torres
Superior, Arizona is once again preparing to celebrate one of the desert’s most iconic fruits at the 14th Annual Prickly Pear Festival, presented by Adelante Juntos Superior. Set for Aug. 22–24, 2025, this year’s festival theme is “Going Back to the Roots.”
With a focus on indigenous food sources, plant medicine, sustainability, activism, conservation, permaculture, and food education, the Prickly Pear Festival has become much more than a community celebration. It is a regional hub for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and cultural connection bringing together chefs, foragers, growers, artisans, and neighbors from across Arizona. Activities begin on Friday, Aug. 22, and will continue through Sunday ending with a brunch at Silver King Smokehouse.
Friday, Aug. 22 – Film and Panel Discussion
The festival kicks off at 4:30 p.m. in Superior Town Hall Auditorium (199 Lobb Ave.) with a special film screening and panel discussion hosted in partnership with Local First AZ and Good Food Finder.
Moderated by Edmond Williams, the panel will feature Native American growers, foragers, and chefs, including:
- Larold Pinal – White Mountain Apache
- Angel Martinez – Yavapai Apache
- John Slattery – Author & Forager
- Brett Vibber – Chef & Forager
Guests will also enjoy free edible desert tapas prepared by Aravaipa Condor, Sustainable Superior, and Mrs. B’s Amazing Prickly Pear Cheesecakes, along with a food demo by Rodney Smith of Good Food Grow. Beverages will be available for purchase.
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Festival Day
The heart of the celebration unfolds on Saturday with a full day of activities throughout Superior:
Morning Events
- 7 and 8 a.m. – Agroforest Tours at Boyce Thompson Arboretum (call Mike Montiel at 480-272-3786).
- 8–11 a.m. – Prickly Pear Pancake Breakfast at the Senior Center (360 Main St.), $10 per plate.
All-Day Fun (9 a.m.–5 p.m.)
- Farm to Fantastic Market inside the Senior Center featuring Mrs. B’s famous fish tacos.
- Main Street Street Fair – Food trucks, artisan vendors, live music by DJ Suptown at Besich Park.
- Local Shops and Restaurants will showcase special desert-inspired menus, tastings, art, crafts, and more. As per the organizers on Facebook the following businesses will be participating:
VFW– 405 Main Street Rummage sale benefitting the Superior Food Bank
Roses Cantina– 203 Main Street – Grand Opening! Prickly Pear Margaritas! Mead tasting.
Bruzzi Vineyard – 14 N Magma Ave. Prickly Pear Spritzers
Paloma Art Gallery – 20 N Magma Ave. Prickly Pear Art,
Art 145 – 161 W Main Street. Kids’ crafts and pottery
Diamonds in the Desert Beauty 16 Magma Ave.– Prickly Pear Skin Care
Bella’s Café – 149 W Main. Too much P-Pear goodness to list!
Random Boutique – 151 W Main. Apparels and styles.
All things Desert – 201 W Main. Art, collectables and desert inspired items
Rollin’ Rock Gallery- 160 W Main. Local arts and kids toys and games.
Felicia’s Ice Cream – 329 W Main. World’s Best Prickly Pear Ice Cream!
Silver King Smokehouse – 404 W Main. P-Pear smoked wings, pulled pork, Nopal Tacos!
Picket Post Antiques – 400 W Main. Local antique Shop
Save Money Market – 420 W Main. Grocery store with fresh, on the spot Roasted Hatch Green Chilies! Prickly Pear Beer!
Porters Café – 695 Main. Monte Cristo P-pear Sandwich, P-pear wings, and Margaritas!
Buckboard City – 1107 W Hwy US 60. Indian inspired Prickly Pear dish and Dinner Event presented by Steam Corn Punk Culinary and mixology experience!
Los Hermanos – 835 US 60 Hwy. Green Chile and Nopales!
Jalapenos – 649 US 60. Nopales with red or green sauce
Edwardo’s Pizzeria – 701 Belmont – Delicious Pizza, subs, calzones, and more.
El Barrio Sweet & Salty- US Hwy 60 – Sweet fruit and icy deserts!
Gypsy Sisters Coffee shop- 599 US Hwy 60. Prickly Pear Pastries, coffee, and Prickly pear lemonade and teas,
De Marcos Italian – 433 Hwy 60. – P-Pear Margs, and plenty of Italian dishes.
Saturday will also offer a Speaker Series (9 a.m.–5 p.m. Superior Chamber of Commerce, 165 Main St.)
Presentations from:
- Kelly Athena – Mesquite Milling
- Nicole Cory – Natural Restorations
- Jeffry Ferns – Indigenous Foodways
- Larold Pinal – White Mountain Apache Medicine Man
- Angel Martinez – Yavapai Apache
- Tammy Gorsuch – Sustainable Superior
- Rodney Smith – Good Food Grow
Saturday Evening Entertainment
- 6 p.m. – Folklorico performance by Superior Dance Co. at Besich Park.
- 6-10 p.m. – Desert Edible Dinner Pairing at Buckboard City Café with mezcal, tequila, and whiskey pairings. Hosted by Steam Corn Punk, this ticketed event is limited to 80 guests (tickets:
Sunday, Aug. 24 – Closing Brunch
The festival closes with a 10 a.m.–2 p.m. brunch at Silver King Smokehouse (404 Main St.). Guests will enjoy prickly pear-inspired breakfast dishes, food demos, and meaningful conversations with fellow attendees.
Plan Your Weekend in Superior
Whether you’re drawn by the indigenous foodways, guest speakers, artisan market, live music, or unforgettable prickly pear dishes, this festival offers something for everyone. Families, foodies, activists, and explorers alike will find themselves at home in Superior’s welcoming downtown.
For detailed information please contact the organizer Pete Casillas at 520-827-0692.