FESTIVE FEASTS
Food, drink events sprouting up in Valley
Events season is back in full force, and there’s plenty to do in the food and drink department.
This month there are events for taco lovers, a tasty fundraiser featuring some of the Valley’s top chefs, and several festivals that are sure to get you in the fall spirit.
Pumpkin and Chili Party
Every Thursday through Sunday in October, Schnepf Farms will be home to a month-long fall celebration. There are three spots on the sprawling farm to fill up on good eats: the Main Grill will feature chili dinners, the Farm Grill will serve succotash and grilled pizzas, and the Burger Shack will have barbecue plates. Admission includes access to a number of carnival rides, miniature golf, marshmallow roasting, Gypsy Time Travelers show, a zip line, fireworks and more. Visitors can also pick out pumpkins in the patch and enjoy some other activities for an additional cost.
Details: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Oct. 1-30. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. $18 general admission, free for children 2 and younger. $15 discount tickets available at Fry’s Food Stores. 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com.
Tequila, Taco and Cerveza Fest
This traveling festival, produced by PartyTenders Events, comes to Rawhide for the first time. The event will feature taco trucks, Mexican beers, live music, mariachi bands, water pong and corn hole. Tickets include 10 tequila tastings from a wide variety of brands including Herradura, Maestro Dobel, Milagros and Corralejo.
Details: 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler. $29.99-$39.99. $20 for designated drivers. $10 for parking. tequilatacocervezafest.com.
Chile Pepper Festival
Spice up your weekend at this annual event hosted by Roosevelt Row. The evening festival features sampling from local restaurants, on-site chile pepper roasting, cooking demonstrations, salsa dancing lessons and kids’ activities. Admission to the festival is free, tasting tickets are $2 each and beer tokens are $5. Pre-sale tasting ticket and beer token bundles are available online for a discounted price. Proceeds go to urban farming education for downtown Phoenix students.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1. Carly’s Bistro, 128 Roosevelt St., Phoenix. Free admission. $20-$40 for pre-sale bundles. chilepepperfest.com.
Wine & Chocolate Festival
This decadent pairing is the star of this two-day event. Friday night is deemed “A Tasting Affair,” a more intimate night out with tastings, live music and cowboys. The main festival is on Saturday with plenty of wine, chocolate and beer tastings, an artisan street fair, cooking demonstrations, cowboys and live music. Each festival-goer receives 14 two-ounce wine tastings, 10 chocolate samples, two beer tastings and a souvenir cup. VIP tickets include a sixcourse dinner.
Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7. Noon-10 p.m Saturday, Oct. 8. Rawhide Western Town, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Chandler. $45-$75. Friday tickets: ticketfly.com/purchase/event /1310903. Saturday tickets: ticketfly.com/purchase/event/ 1317617.
Arizona Taco Festival
If you love tacos, you won’t want to miss out on this popular annual event. Sample tasty tacos from more than 50 restaurants, and wash them down with a margarita or beer. Entertainment includes lucha libre wrestling, hot chile pepper and taco eating contests, chihuahua beauty pageant, tequila expo and margarita mixology expo. Guests will also get a chance to vote for their favorite tacos.
Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 15-16. Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Salt River Reservation. $12-$18. $20 for tequila expo. $100 for VIP. 480-270-5000, aztacofestival.com.
Rock Out!
Eat and drink for a great cause at this year’s Emerging Leaders fundraiser, Rock Out! The ‘80s-inspired menu will feature dishes from some of the Valley’s top talent, including Cullen Campbell, Gio Osso, Scott Holmes, Tracy Dempsey, Stephen Jones and Bernie Kantak. Guests will be entertained by an ‘80s cover band and mixes from DJ Mr. Phoenix. There will also be a raffle for prizes including a Fender electric guitar. Proceeds benefit the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Details: 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. DeSoto Central Market, 915 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. $70-$80. 602-933-4483, rockout2016.com.
NiteFlite Gala
The Scottsdale 20-30 Club presents this classy fundraiser, benefiting Playworks, a nonprofit that works to provide low-income students safe and inclusive environments to play. The event features a performance from SuperHero, a lipsync battle, go-go-dancers, casino games and street magic. Raffle prices include trips to Cabo San Lucas, Park City for a ski weekend, Idaho and Rocky Point. Tickets include food and drinks from a variety of Valley restaurants.
The soiree will encompass three downtown Scottsdale bars: Hi-Fi Kitchen and Cocktails, Bottled Blonde and The District.
Details: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Hi-Fi Kitchen and Cocktails, 3919 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $150. Packages available. scottsdale2030.org.
Wingstock!
Get your fill of delicious hot wings at this festival. Valley restaurants will duke it out for the title of “King of Wings,” “Best Wing of Wingstock” and “Hottest Wing.” Participating restaurants include ATL Wings, The Wing Counter, The Monastery and Queen’s Pizzeria. The event will also include two stages of entertainment, contests and a kids zone. Entry into the chicken wing contest will start at 10 a.m. on Oct. 7, and cost $25. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Mesa Amphiteatre, 263 N. Center St. $8 in advance, $12 day of. 480-644-2560, mesaamp.com.
Four Peaks Fall Festival
This inaugural event will present the 19th annual Four Peaks Pumpkin Carving Contest. This year, the contest will happen live, and anyone can enter. Entrants must register in advance, and bring their own pumpkins, tools and knives. Prepping the pumpkins ahead of time is not allowed, and the grand prize is $1,000. The festival will feature live music, fall beers, food trucks, live music and activities.
Details: 2-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Tasting Room on Wilson, 2401 S. Wilson St., Tempe. Free. 480-303-9967, fourpeaks. com/culture/events/four-peaks -fall-festival.