Road trip
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ours,” Ross Hawkins said, adding that the natural beauty of Sedona combined with its influx of migrating hummingbirds makes it an ideal location for such an event.
He said up to seven species of birds are expected to be traveling through Sedona on their way to southern Mexico, instead of the two species commonly seen there.
Hawkins said the event draws a variety of people who share a common interest in hummingbirds.
“It really runs the whole gamut. Some people think the festival is a neat idea, and others have studied hummingbirds a lot and want to learn from experts,” he said.
“When you get a lot of hummingbird people together it’s just a very nice and friendly honest group, and is a bunch of people you’d want as friends.”
While the hummingbirds are zipping around Sedona, down in southern Arizona’s wine country people will be celebrating the upcoming harvest at HarvestFest at Sonoita Vineyards in Elgin.
Winemaker Lori Reynolds said Saturday’s event, which has taken place for well over two decades, will include wine tastings, food and wine pairings, tours of the vineyard and winery tours, live music and food.
A grape-stomping competition that starts at noon and features children’s, women’s and men’s divisions is always a hit, Reynolds said.
“I remember stomping on grapes for fun when I was little,” she said, adding that the festival usually draws 700 to 800 people.
“This festival is so imsides portant because it helps us pay for the harvesting of our vineyard and the supplemental grapes that we get from Dragoon Mountain Vineyards. This festival also helps us in doing the needed improvements on our vineyard such as buying more vines and improving the trellising.”