33 Feb. 7th–Feb. 13th, 2019 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | Contents | FeeDBACK | oPInIon | neWs | FeAtURe | nIght+DAy | CULtURe | FILm | Cafe | mUsIC | 19 Phoenix Food and Drink Festivals Happening in Spring 2019 BY LAUREN CUSIMANO B e real. We start spring a little earlier here, and that’s because everyone in the Valley is bust- ing to be outside during not- summer time. And the combination of perfect weather and re- cently ditched resolutions makes for yet an- other memorable food food festival season. Phoenix hosts dozens of culinary events, beer festivals, and cocktail competitions, most of which are packed with seemingly endless samples, live music, games, shop- ping, and day drinking opportunities. For a full list that continues through May, visit phoenixnewtimes.com/restaurants. Arizona Strong Beer Festival February 9 Steele Indian School Park 300 East Indian School Road arizonabeerweek.com/arizona-strong-beer- festival The gem in the Arizona Beer Week crown, Arizona Strong Beer Festival 2019 features over 120 craft breweries from around the state. Produced by the Arizona Craft Brew- ers Guild. The beer list for the 19th annual celebration has surpassed 500 beers, so you won’t be disappointed. The Arizona Strong Beer Festival starts at 1 p.m. on Sat- urday, February 9, at Steele Indian School Park. General admission starts at $60. Corks & Cactus February 9 and 10 Desert Botanical Garden 1201 North Galvin Parkway dbg.org/events/corks-cactus Corks & Cactus is a two-day event where attendees can sample 40 different wines each day. There will be food from the Fabu- lous Food Fine Catering and Events, as well as interactive cooking demonstrations from the very nearby Gertrude’s. All 80 wines can be purchased at the garden’s wine retail store. The event runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on both days, Saturday and Sun- day, February 9 and 10. General public tick- ets are $45 per day. Laveen BBQ Festival February 16 Cesar Chavez Park 7858 South 35th Avenue, Laveen Village laveenbbq.com Barbecue pit masters, assemble. Add mounds of barbecue to craft beer to craft beer and local music and you’ve got the 67th annual Laveen BBQ Festival. The Laveen Community Council hosts the fest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Febru- ary 16, at Cesar Chavez Park. General ad- mission tickets are $10 the day of the event. Chili Bourbon Festival February 16 Dr. AJ Chandler Park 3 South Arizona Avenue, Chandler chilibourbonfestival.com The second ever Chili Bourbon Festival will have plenty of both — chili from local home cooks and chefs, and bourbon, as well as lots of food. Plus, there’ll be craft beer and country music at Dr. AJ Chandler Park in downtown Chandler. The festivi- ties run from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, February 16. Tickets are $7 presale, and $10 day of, or you can spring for the Spicy Lounge with its $30 admission fee. Street Eats Food Truck Festival February 16 and 17 Salt River Fields at Talking Stick 7555 North Pima Road, Scottsdale streeteatsaz.com Phoenix New Times (you know, us) is pre- senting the annual Street Eats Food Truck Festival — a.k.a. a ton of food trucks all to- gether in one place for one ticket. There’s also live music, eating contests, kid stuff, and again, lots and lots of food trucks. We’re Petrini’s On The Go, Dough Licious Desserts, Maine Lobster Lady, Arizona Wings N’ More, Off The Hook Food Truck, Mustache Pretzels, Grandma’s Navajo Fry- bread, Que Sazon, and so many more. Trucks are going from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17, at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. General admission is $12. Arizona Cocktail Weekend February 16 to 18 Multiple Locations arizonacocktailweekend.com The eighth annual Arizona Cocktail Week- end is three nights of loosening you up dur- ing Presidents’ Day weekend — but it is not so much a drinking festival than an educa- tional weekend. Events include the 8 p.m. Cocktail Jam at The Van Buren on February 16, the 8 p.m. Top Bars aevent at The Croft on February 17, and the Last Slinger Stand- ing at Young’s Market Company starting at 6:30 p.m. on on February 18. Tickets for most events start at $40 in advance, and jump to $50 the night of the event. 2019 Devour Week February 17 to 24 Desert Botanical Garden 1201 North Galvin Parkway classic.devourphoenix.com Where to begin with Devour Week? The annual, weeklong series showcasing Arizo- na’s most well-known chefs and bartend- ers, the 2019 Devour Culinary Classic features cuisine that highlights Arizona’s unique background. The signature event, the Classic, will be held again at the Desert Botanical Garden. Other Devour Week events include the Devour Phoenix Bar- tending Competition, the Seven Chefs Din- ner, and Devour the World. Ticket prices and venues vary, and some events are al- ready sold out. Herb Festival February 23 U of AZ Maricopa County Cooperative Extension 4341 East Broadway Road facebook.com/events/782077698796271 Presented by the AZ Herb Association, the third annual Herb Festival offers how-tos on growing and cooking with des- ert-friendly herbs, guided tours of ▼ Café The Laveen BBQ Festival is in its 67th year, y’all. Courtesy of Laveen BBQ Festival >> p 34
