Going Back to the Roots: The 14th Annual Prickly Pear Festival in Superior, AZ
- Superior, Arizona
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 15
August 22–24, 2025
Historic Downtown Superior, Arizona
The heart of the Sonoran Desert comes alive this August as Superior hosts the 14th Annual Prickly Pear Festival — three days of food, music, culture, and connection. This year’s theme, “Going Back to the Roots,” honors the natural foundation of the incredible edible desert while celebrating indigenous knowledge, sustainability, and community collaboration.
More than just a festival, this is a hub for food education, plant medicine, regenerative design, permaculture, homeopathics, and activism — where like-minded individuals and organizations come together to share ideas, build partnerships, and celebrate the bounty of the desert.
Friday, August 22 – Opening Night
Kick off the festivities at 4:30 PM in the Town Hall Auditorium (199 Lobb Ave.) in partnership with Local First AZ and Good Food Finder.
Enjoy a film screening and panel discussion, moderated by Edmond Williams, with Native American growers, foragers, and chefs including:
Larold Pinal – White Mountain Apache
Angel Martinez – Yavapai Apache
John Slattery – Forager
The evening includes light refreshments by Aravaipa Condor and a food demo by Rodney Smith of Good Food Grow.
Saturday, August 23 – Full Festival Day
7:00 AM & 8:00 AM – Agroforest Tours at Boyce Thompson Arboretum’s Heartland Trail. Learn about desert-adapted agroforestry, traditional plant uses, water harvesting, soil restoration, and fire suppression techniques. (BTA admission applies for non-members.)
8:00 AM–11:00 AM – Pancake Breakfast at the Senior Center (360 Main Street), complete with prickly pear syrup.
9:00 AM–5:00 PM – Farm to Fantastic Local Growers’ Market (inside the Senior Center).After breakfast, enjoy Miss B’s famous fish tacos until 5 PM.
All Day on Main Street – Stroll the street fair with vendors, food trucks, and live music by DJ Suptown at Besich Park. Local restaurants will offer desert-inspired dishes and drinks, and you can explore special happenings at:
VFW Rummage Sale – 405 Main Street
Roses Cantina Grand Opening – 203 Main Street (Prickly Pear Margaritas!)
Bruzzi Vineyard – 14 N Magma Ave
Paloma Art Gallery – Prickly Pear Art, 20 N Magma Ave
Art 145 – Kids’ crafts, 161 W Main Street
Local shops like Random Boutique, All Things Desert, Rollin’ Rock Gallery, and Picket Post Antiques
9:00 AM–5:00 PM – Guest Speakers at the Chamber of Commerce (165 Main Street) including: Nicole Cory (Natural Restorations), Jeffry Ferns, Angel Martinez, Larold Pinal, LT. (White Mountain Apache), Rodney Smith (Good Food Grow), and more.
6:00–10:00 PM – Desert Edible Dinner Pairing at Buckboard City Cafe (1111 US 60 - home of the world's smallest museum) with mezcal, tequila, and whiskey pairings. Hosted by Steamcornpunk — an intimate, ticketed event for 80 guests.
Sunday, August 24 – Closing Brunch
10:00 AM–2:00 PM – Sunday Brunch & Food Demos at Silver King Smokehouse (404 Main Street). Sample desert-inspired dishes and connect with fellow festival-goers one last time.
Plan Your Festival Weekend
Whether you come for the indigenous foodways, the live music, the artisan market, or the unforgettable flavors of the desert, the Prickly Pear Festival is an inclusive, welcoming event for all ages and backgrounds.
📅 August 22–24, 2025
📍 Historic Downtown Superior, AZ
📞 Pete – (520) 827-0692