On Saturday, August 24 Superior will host a daylong celebration of the “nopal” as the annual Prickly Pear Festival returns for its 13th year.

The morning will begin with prickly pear foraging from 7 – 9 a.m. at the Superior municipal air strip, located just off US 60 and Apache Leap Road. This will be hosted by the experienced foragers from Aravaipa Condor, who will demonstrate how to safely harvest prickly pear and how to remove the cactus spines to prep them for processing. 

Afterwards, the downtown Street Fair will get underway on Main Street – beginning with a pancake breakfast (with prickly pear syrup) fundraiser hosted by the Superior Fire Department. They will share space with the Farmers Market, inside the Senior Center at 360 Main St.

Throughout the day, starting at 9 a.m., guest speakers will be giving demonstrations and presentations on food education, foraging and plant medicine. This will be at the Chamber of Commerce office at 165 Main St. Speakers include John Slattery, Peter Bigfoot, “Cactus Kelly” Athena, Peggy Sue Sorenson, Brett Vibber, Mike Monteil and more.

Food trucks and local restaurants will feature prickly pear fruit, “nopal” cactus specials and other desert edibles - like prickly pear ice cream at Felicia’s, margaritas at Porter’s, prickly pear BBQ at Silver King Smokehouse, and prickly pear spritzers at Bruzzi Vineyard’s wine tasting room.

Local Folkloricos will be performing in the evening along with a D.J. and entertainment. 

The event will also offer a chance to cool off at the Prickly Paradise Beer Garden, next to the retail and art vendors located at Besich Park, 240 W. Main St.

Prickly Pear Festival vendor spaces are still available. For vendor applications and event updates, like and follow     

https://www.facebook.com/Prickly-Pear-Festival-875412642512672.