Are you ready to take your taste buds on a culinary adventure? I hope so, because the Great Arizona Picnic is almost here! On Saturday, April 12th, and Sunday, April 13th, Scottsdale’s annual picnic is taking place at the Scottsdale Civic Center. If you are already headed to The Scottsdale Culinary Festival, you won't want to miss this included event - it's great for all ages and the admission fee is only $10 (children 12 and under or seniors 65 and over get in free). During the picnic, there will be samples of food from more than 50 local restaurants. There will also be cooking demonstrations as well as new kitchen appliances and product knowledge presented by both local and national chefs in the Epicurean Expo section (Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.). Furthermore, the expo will have the "Mix Like A Master Room," which will be filled with bartenders and mixologists showing off their skills. If hard liquor is not your thing, admission to the picnic includes access to the Francis Ford Coppola Winery section where you can relax and sip on a selection of delicious wines. Need a break from taste testing? You can dance the day away at three separate stages showcasing local bands.
Besides the stages and Epicurean Expo, the Great Arizona Picnic has several other areas in which guests can spend their time. For an additional $5 per area, guests over the age of 21 can have access to the SKYY Bar which will feature vodka cocktails and the Tequila Deck which will be serving Maestro Dobel tequila margaritas (Saturday noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.). For all the beer lovers out there, the Southwest Festival of Beers will be taking place at the picnic, too (Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.). It is an additional $10 to enter this part of the festival, but there will be a variety of more than 200 beers to discover and try. Food and beverages are sold separately from the entrance fee.
The Great Arizona Picnic will take place on Saturday, April 12th, from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, April 13th from noon to 6 p.m. The picnic is part of an annual six day festival (April 8th - April 13th) featuring events such as the Wine Country Brunch, the Chocolate and Wine Experience, the Best of the Fest grand finale and many more. The 36th Annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival is the main fundraiser for the Scottsdale League for the Arts which supports artists, art programs and arts education. For more information on the event or VIP passes, please visit scottsdalefest.org or call (480) 945-7193.
By Evyn Blair April 2nd, 2014
