Southern Arizona Events for October 2006
Fall Pumpkin Festival Oct. 1-7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 (Willcox) Enjoy old-fashioned family fun and take a hayride to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch or childrens' play area; or pick fresh fall vegetables and apples, EVERY weekend in October, 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Apple Annie's Orchard, (520) 384-2084.
http://www.appleannies.com/special.php
Nightfall: Resurrection Oct. 1-31 (Tucson) Scary and fun Halloween tradition for all ages (with daring stunts, thrilling walk-through adventures, and a trick-or-treat trail) presented as only a movie studio can. Old Tucson Studios, (520) 883-0100.
http://www.nightfallaz.com
Graham County Fair Oct. 5-9 (Safford) Traditional county fair featuring a carnival with rides, games and entertainment, 4-H exhibits and food vendors at Graham County Fairgrounds. Graham County Chamber of Commerce, (928) 428-6240.
http://www.graham-chamber.com
Rex Allen Days Oct. 5-8 (Willcox) Celebrate contributions of legendary cowboy singer and Willcox native, the late Rex Allen, with professional rodeo, parade, concerts, cowboy poetry, music, and food. Willcox Chamber of Commerce, (520) 384-2272.
http://www.willcoxchamber.com
Fall Home & Garden Show Oct. 6-7, 8 (Tucson) Browse the latest in building, landscaping, and home decorating products, exhibited at Tucson Convention Center. Southern Arizona Home Builders Association, (520) 795-3025.
http://www.sahbahomeshow.com
Tucson Culinary Festival Oct. 6-8 (Tucson) Wine dinners and seminars, including The Grand Tasting at Westward Look Resort, with more than 70 wineries presenting and pouring their wines and more than 30 Tucson top chefs offering their culinary specialties. Tucson Originals Restaurants, (520) 488-8601.
http://www.tucsonculinaryfestival.com
Cienega Corridor Pioneer Day Oct. 7 (Tucson) Hands-on activities for all ages at outdoor culture-biology-history fair, with booths, entertainment, presentations, nature walks and demonstrations on everything from mesquite-bean milling to adobe-brick making. Colossal Cave Mountain Park, (520) 647-7121.
http://www.colossalcave.com
Oktoberfest on Mount Lemmon Oct. 7-8, 14-15 (Mount Lemmon) In the pines and aspens, enjoy German food, beer, music, and dancing--join the dancing or relax on a blanket on ski slopes. The first two Sat-Sun weekends in October. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, (520) 576-1400, (520) 576-1321.
The Big Picture Oct. 7 (Tucson) Contemporary art season-opener, featuring fine-art displays and artist receptions at participating downtown galleries, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., with receptions beginning at 6 p.m. Central Tucson Gallery Association, (520) 629-9759.
Traditional Indian Feast Oct. 7 (Tucson) Traditional American Indian foods (wild rice, buffalo, salmon, cholla-bud salad, prickly pear tea, Indian tamales, and o'odham chili), with entertainment and spiritual blessing, and silent auction to benefit American Indian college scholarship fund. San Xavier Plaza (across from Mission San Xavier), (520) 622-4900.
http://www.usaindianinfo.org/feast2.htm
Butterfly Magic Oct. 10-Feb. 28 (Tucson) Arizona's only live, indoor tropical butterfly exhibit, with hundreds of colorful butterflies on display in special greenhouse. Tucson Botanical Gardens, (520) 326-9686.
http://www.tucsonbotanical.org
Tucson Meet Yourself Oct. 13-14-15 (Tucson) Celebrate the richness and diversity of the living traditional arts of Southern Arizona’s folk and ethnic communities, with music and dancing, crafts and a variety of traditional foods. El Presidio Park, between the Old County Courthouse and City Hall.
http://www.tucsonmeetyourself.org
Buckelew Farm Pumpkin Festival & Corn Maze Oct. 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 (Tucson) Open the last three weekends in October. Horse-drawn wagon rides, U-Pick-It experience (Sat & Sun, days); 15-acre corn maze, haunted corn field (Fri & Sat. nights). 17000 W. Ajo Way, (520) 822-2277.
http://www.buckelewfarm.com
Butterfield Overland Stage Days Oct. 14-15 (Benson) Festival commemorates the stop along the mid-1880s stage line that linked St. Louis with San Francisco; also Pony Express reenactment, rodeo, car show, entertainment and food. Benson Chamber of Commerce, (520) 586-2842.
http://www.bensonchamberaz.com
Cochise County Cycling Classic Oct. 14 (Douglas) Competitive bicycle tours around Cochise County perimeter. Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, (520) 745-2033.
http://www.pbaa.com
Desert Thunder Pro Rodeo Oct. 14-15 (Tucson) Competitive professional rodeo with roping contests, bronc busting, and free pony rides for the kids. Tucson Rodeo Grounds, (520) 721-1621.
http://www.desertthunder.com
Patagonia Fall Festival Oct. 14-15 (Patagonia) Annual art show, fall festival and childrens' carnival with entertainment and over 140 booths featuring sculptures to pottery, stained glass, jewelry and much more. Patagonia Visitor Center, (520) 394-0060.
http://www.patagoniaaz.com
Helldorado Days Oct. 20-22 (Tombstone) Tombstone's oldest festival celebrating the rip-roaring heyday of "the town too tough to die," with annual parade, street vignettes, music. Tombstone Chamber of Commerce, (888) 457-3929.
http://www.tombstone.org
Juan Bautista de Anza Days Oct. 21-22 (Tubac) Celebrate Arizona State Park's 50th anniversary at Arizona's first state park, Tubac Presidio, during this living history presentation and festival focusing on Southern Arizona's multicultural heritage, with demonstrations of frontier life and re-enactments by Los Tubaquenos in period costume, folklorico dancers, childrens' activities and food. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tubac Presidio State Historic Park, (520) 398-2704.
http://www.tubacaz.com
Halloween Howl Oct. 25-26, 27, 28 (Vail) After-dark, family festival at historic La Posta Quemada Ranch, with moonlight haunted hayrides, hay maze, games, and fall food. Reservations begin Oct. 1. La Posta Quemada Ranch, (520) 647-3450.
http://www.colossalcave.com
Fools' Hollow Halloween Fest Oct. 28 (Tucson) Family-friendly celebration, featuring "Fools' Hollow," and performances by local artists and a costume contest, at the Main Library Plaza, downtown. Tucson Downtown Alliance, (520) 547-3338.
http://www.downtowntucson.org
Nightmare on Congress Street Oct. 28 (Tucson) The Haunted Hotel Congress hosts the biggest Halloween Party in Tucson, with costume contests, local and national acts, spooky surprises and live bands, indoor and outdoor. Historic Hotel Congresss, (520) 622-8848.
http://www.hotelcongress.com
Tucson Bluegrass Festival Oct. 28-29 (Tucson) Top local, regional, and national bluegrass bands, with performances daily, 10 a.m. - 5: 30 p.m. at Desert Diamond Casino. Desert Bluegrass Association.
http://www.desertbluegrass.org
Celebrate The Day of the Dead Oct. 29 (Tucson) Presentations on the Day of the Dead -- El Dia de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican celebration honoring those who have died -- featuring story telling, craft making and music, with entertainment and buffet lunch. Colossal Cave Mountain Park, (520) 647-7121.
http://www.colossalcave.com