Camp Verde will be hosting its annual Pecan & Wine Festival on March 18 and 19. The free two-day event will feature local wineries, pecan-related items, vendors, live music and a pecan pie contest.
The festival has been taking place in Camp Verde for over 20 years with slight changes in name and management.
At one point the festival was named Pecan, Wine and Antiques, among other variations.
Fifteen local wineries are participating in partnership with the Verde Valley Wine Consortium, an industry group that supports Verde Valley wineries. They will offer wine tastings as well as wine by the glass and by the bottle for sale. There will also be a beer garden and food trucks,
and attendees will be able to browse handcrafted products made by local artisans and other vendors.
The town is partnering with the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance to provide blues and roots-style music on both days. The lineup of performers will include Eric Ramsey, The Tommy Dukes Band, Thunder and Lightning, Chicago Bob and the Blues Squad and Sky Daddy.
The pecan pie contest will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m., with two separate entry categories for homemade and store-bought crusts. Pies will be judged on taste, creativity and appearance.
The biggest change since last year is the size of the festival. With 105 vendors this year, the festival has doubled in size from previous years, allowing more space for vendors and making it easier for the public to get around. The organizers have also increased the festival’s music offerings as well by teaming up with music experts.
“Our first goal is to provide free events that are of interest and opportunities for the public and our visitors to come see,” said Michael Marshall, Parks and Recreation Division manager for Camp Verde. “Another is to provide that opportunity for local businesses to sell their products and also to showcase the Camp Verde area culture.”
The festival benefits the local community and economy, as many guests are staying overnight in hotels, eating at local restaurants and shopping at local stores.
“I think it’s going to be something for everyone,” Marshall said. “It is our hope that there’s something there that should appeal to everybody. Whether it’s the music, the wine, the vendors, the food trucks, even if it’s just window shopping and people watching. There is no admission to the event so people can come down, enjoy themselves and hopefully find something that they can’t live without.”
The festival will take place on Saturday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
