Category: Agricultural

10th Anniversary of Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Nov. 10

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date September 27, 2018

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is hosting the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The festival, which is held on the Green Valley Pecan farm, runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. There will be $5 on-site parking available immediately south of the Festival grounds with a portion of the proceeds benefiting groups volunteering at the event. A free shuttle service will also be available from Sahuarita School District and Walden Grove High School. This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival is dedicated to farmers and their essential work to feed communities worldwide.

This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival attractions include:

The 10th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run, starting at 8 a.m. Register online at taggrun.com. Participants will receive a free race t-shirt; top qualifiers in the Pecan Classic will win pecan-themed awards. Members of the Sahuarita 4-H Club will volunteer at the race and receive a portion of the funds for their activities.
A Kids Area—to include bounce houses, bungee jumping, a rock climbing wall, the Boy Scouts monkey bridge, petting zoo, craft activities and Arabian horse demonstrations presented by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association.
Arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace, selling mostly, locally made, unique items perfect for holiday shopping.
A large area of Food vendors from all over Southern Arizona, preparing BBQ, sweets, and treats.
A Heritage Area, featuring tractor pull contests and antique tractor displays.
Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations. Cost is $2 per person (free for kids four years old or younger). All proceeds go directly to the Community Food Bank – Green Valley/Amado.
A Pecan Pie Contest, sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The entry fee is $10 and the registration form is due on Nov. 10. Open to all ages!
Pecan cracking contests.
Special entertainment guests include the Walden Grove High School dance team (The PAC), Southern Reins Band, Grizzly Band, and more.
Commemorative Festival items for purchase, including tote bags, t-shirts, lapel pins, and posters. In addition to the Festival, these items can be purchased in advance of the event at the Pecan Store.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival turns 10! We’re making our 10^th anniversary the best one yet, featuring the America’s Got Talent famous dancers from Walden Grove’s PAC dance team, unique farming and pecan interactive activities, and the best gifts offered in the Santa Cruz Valley! We’re honoring the contributions of farmers this year and we’re excited to invite the community to celebrate with us,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The success of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a result of the collaboration of Green Valley Pecan Company and its community partners through various sponsorships. Major sponsors of the 2018 Festival include: Desert Diamond Casinos, Crown Community Development, Day’s Excavating, Meritage Homes, Sierra Mining & Crushing LLC, Stotz Equipment, Green Valley News, and KGUN 9 on Your Side.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised more than $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Agricultural Community Events Sponsor

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Now Accepting Sponsorship Applications

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date May 7, 2018

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is now accepting sponsorship applications for the 10^th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival, held on the grounds of Green Valley Pecan Company in Sahuarita, Ariz., draws approximately 25,000 visitors every year and is a family-focused, community oriented one-day event. The Festival features the Pecan Store, food vendors, shopping with local artisans, Arabian horse demonstrations, horse-drawn hay wagon rides, entertainment, tractor pulling competitions, and much more. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, download our information package.

Sponsorship of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is the perfect way to reach the growing, prosperous market of young families and active adults in the Santa Cruz River Valley. Sponsors will be part of an aggressive marketing campaign utilizing Festival media partners, digital and print advertising, and social media promotion. Sponsorship levels range from $750 up to $10,000; the number of sponsorship slots is limited. The Festival sponsorship deadline for final media exposure is Sept. 14, 2018.

“This year we’re celebrating our 10^th Anniversary—that’s 10 years of giving back to the community and providing a full day of family friendly activities, rooted in the history of this region. We’re excited to share the Sahuarita Pecan Festival with local businesses through various sponsorship opportunities. Nov. 10 is a day for all of us to show our support of our community,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival was first held in 2009 and averages approximately 25,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Agricultural Crafts Events Food Jewelry Marketplace News Pecan Classic Pecan Store

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Raises $14,000 for Community

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date December 5, 2017

10th Annual Festival Scheduled for Nov. 10, 2018

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company hosted the 9th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at the Green Valley Pecan farm, drawing approximately 25,000 guests throughout the day. Families and friends celebrated Veterans Day at the Festival with horse-drawn wagon rides, pecan cracking contests, tractor pull contests, and Veteran recognition events, including a flyover by the 162nd Wing and a special photo at the Festival of more than 50 local veterans that was featured in the Green Valley News.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival kicked off in the morning with the 9th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run—hosted by Tagg Running Events—that led nearly 350 runners and walkers through the pecan orchard. The top male finisher in the 3.3-mile was 29-year-old Jose Rodriguez with a time of 18:22.0; the top female finisher was 33-year-old Lauren Reasoner from Sahuarita with a time of 20:58.6.

2017 Sahuarita Pecan Festival Pie Contest — More photos in our gallery

Thirteen pies were entered in the Festival’s Pecan Pie Contest, hosted by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The 2017 winner was Morgan Scott of Sahuarita. In second place was Louann Young and in third place was Christina Stephens. They all used Green Valley Pecans as the main ingredient in their pies. Participants were judged by District 4 Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, Chef Frédéric Lange from Lavender’s Restaurant in Green Valley, Town of Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, retired actor Michael Caprio who performed in well-known productions such as “Amistad” and “The Sopranos,” and Chase Emery, a member of the Sahuarita High School culinary arts program.

As a major annual event in the Sahuarita and Green Valley communities, the Sahuarita Pecan Festival helps support local volunteer groups and non-profits. This year, $14,000 was raised, a portion of which will be distributed to local community groups within the coming weeks, including: the Amado-Green Valley Community Food Bank; Walden Grove High School groups such as the Student Council, the Booster Club, Wolfpack Football team, the Camera Club, the Cheer team, and the Law & Public Safety; Boy Scouts of America Troop 301; Valle Verde Rotary Club; the Sahuarita Food Bank; the Sahuarita Police Explorers; Tucson Synchro; and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing. In total, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community over the past nine years.

“The 9^th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival was a huge success! Guests were able to get some holiday shopping done while also learning about the farm and honoring our veterans. Best of all, we raised money for local charities that will help families in our community. Join us next year for our 10^th Anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 10!” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009; over the past nine years, the Festival has raised approximately $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

Tags 2017 Featured

Agricultural Events Food Marketplace News Partner

7th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival Draws Nearly 25,000

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date November 23, 2015

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – On Saturday, Nov. 14, the 7^th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival welcomed nearly 25,000 guests, topping last year’s attendance of 20,000. The 2015 Festival raised almost $15,000 benefiting student organizations and community partners. Approximately 700 pounds of food was collected for the Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank; in exchange for canned food, guests were able to ride a horse-drawn wagon through the orchard for a harvest demonstration.

“FICO and The Green Valley Pecan Company look forward to welcoming our guests every year. The festival continues to grow and has become a tradition in the Santa Cruz River Valley for families from across Southern Arizona. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival offers unique entertainment while supporting local organizations, such as the Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank,” said Bruce Caris, COO of The Green Valley Pecan Company.

The Pecan Classic Run was held in the early morning with approximately 300 participants. And as always, Power from the Past Tractor Pull was especially popular. The kids’ area was once again sponsored by Green Valley News and Sahuarita Sun. Returning this year was Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association (SAAHA) with parades and demonstrations.

The Pecan Store expanded its store tent by 2500 square feet for the day. It was still bustling with customers to pick their favorite treats as the Festival was shutting down. Guests that missed the Festival or would like to purchase additional products can visit the Pecan Store seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, Sundays from 10am to 4pm, or online at www.pecanstore.com.

The partnership with KGUN9 and Tucson’s CW has grown to include many of their top news and entertainment personalities on site to greet fans throughout the day. Big Al has been a fixture at the event since year one and this year he brought along Guy Atchley, Erin Christiansen and many others. The partnership with KGUN9 and Tucson’s CW and the on-air, on-line support they have provided is a major contributor to this year’s success.

2015 Sponsors

Agricultural Crafts Events Food Jewelry Marketplace News Pecan Classic Pecan Store Sponsor

7th ANNUAL SAHUARITA PECAN FESTIVAL GEARING UP

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date September 28, 2015

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Preparations are well under way for the 7^th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, an old-fashioned country fair with activities for all ages. Hosted by The Green Valley Pecan Company, it will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita. Admission to the Festival will be free.

“We are excited to open the farm for our guests to learn about agriculture and the heritage of the Santa Cruz River Valley. The festival is now a tradition in southern Arizona, with more than 20,000 people attending this one-day event,” said Jennifer Zubieta, Director of Community Relations and Events.

The day’s festivities will kick off with the Pecan Classic Nut Run/Walk at 8 a.m. To register, go to taggrun.com. Register by Oct. 31, 2015 to receive your commemorative T-shirt.

This year’s festival attractions include a KID’s Zone, sponsored by the Sahuarita Sun. The KID’s Zone will include bounce houses, carnival games, bungee jumping and pony rides and our popular Arabian Horse demonstrations presented by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association (SAAHA).

As in years past, there will be arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace to start your holiday shopping. Also, food vendors from throughout Southern Arizona will be preparing great barbeque and other local fare along with sweets and treats.

Our heritage area will feature the always-popular tractor pull contests, antique tractor displays, and the heritage tent where guests can learn about traditional basket weaving, and agriculture and history of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations will be available for either a food or monetary donation to the Green Valley-Sahuarita Community Food Bank.

Now in its third year, the Sahuarita Pecan Pie Contest is sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The entry fee is $10 and entrants will receive a 1 lb bag of pecan halves for baking. Registration forms can be found at either the Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque location in Sahuarita or at www.sahuaritapecanfestival.com.

Festival attendees can take advantage of the free shuttle service from three locations around Sahuarita: Walden Grove High School, Quail Creek Grill parking lot, and Sahuarita Unified School District parking lot.

Also, parking (general and disabled) will be available immediately south of the festival grounds for $5.00 per car; a portion of the proceeds going to local community organizations volunteering at the Sahuarita Pecan Festival.

Most of the festival grounds and parking areas are not paved, so please take care and be aware of the grounds when getting around.

Sahuarita Pecan Festival is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, AZ. The Sahuarita Pecan Festival averages nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past six years, the Festival has raised more than $20,000 and 6,000 pounds of food for local charities.

Local organizations that will benefit from Sahuarita Pecan Festival 2015 are: Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation, Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank, Sahuarita Unified School District, Sahuarita Explorers, Optimist Club of Green Valley and Valle Verde Rotary. Sponsorships and vendor participation and other activities enable the Sahuarita Pecan Festival to financially support the work of these local groups.

For the latest updates, please visit the official Festival website at

Web: www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/sahuaritapecanfestival.com

Agricultural Food News

Pecan Farm in the News

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date November 26, 2014

Recently, Laurie Merrill from the Arizona Republic wrote an article about Green Valley Pecan Co. The home to the nuttiest festival in Arizona! The article provides some interesting facts about what has been going on the in the nut world.

Pecan farm in southern Ariz. enjoying high nut prices

Everybody’s going nuts these days. In a good way. Shoppers around the world are embracing their health benefits. Demand is growing, especially in a more prosperous China.

And as the holiday season approaches, many of us will indulge in a homemade pecan pie.

In Arizona, growers of both pecans and pistachios are benefiting as prices of the tree nuts soar.

In the past 10 years, pecan prices have swelled from $3 a pound to $5.40. Pistachio prices have doubled, to $5.50 a pound from $2.25.

The state is home to the Green Valley Pecan Co. in Sahuarita, one of the largest pecan farms in the world. Arizona growers seeking to cash in have recently planted new orchards in Cochise County.

Arizona ranks as the fourth-largest pecan-producing state in the nation and is on track to double production to about 40 million pounds in 2025.

Land values, drought and economic downturns for decades reduced the number of pecan farms in Arizona from several dozen to a handful. But the Green Valley Pecan Co. has been farmed with steady success by the same family for three generations. [Read full article]

Agricultural Crafts Events

One of the Many Unique Features of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is the Heritage Area

Post author By Pecan Festival
Post date November 1, 2014

Don’t pass this up! The Heritage area will showcase Power from the Past, tractor pull contests, antique tractor displays, and the heritage tent where guest can learn about traditional basket weaving, and agriculture and history of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations will be available for either a food or monetary donation to the Green Valley-Sahuarita Community Food Bank.

FICO/Green Valley Pecan Company – See all the equipment the farm uses to harvest pecans.
www.greenvalleypecan.com

Power from the Past – Antique tractor and engine club. Come see how to make rope and old fashion ice cream! Tractor pull starts at 12pm.

Rancho Soñado – Rancho Soñado offers performance Arabians, Half-Arabians for sale and quality boarding facilities for all breeds in Amado, Arizona.
www.ranchosonado.com

Saraficio O’Odham Baskets – O’odham baskets of all sizes & shapes.
520-240-2420

Tohono O’odham Nation Traditional Tortillas – Fresh traditional cowboy tortillas made with whole wheat flour for sample tasting.

Heritage Area Schedule 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

9:00 am – 5:00 pm – Heritage Tent – Come see native food crops displayed, historical photos and watch how Native American basket weaving is staying alive!
9:30 am – 4:00 pm – Community Food Bank Harvest Demonstration in the Orchard – Bring your non-perishable food items or pay $3.00 per person to enjoy the horse drawn hay wagon into the orchard to see how we harvest pecans.
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Power from the Past Tractor Pull

10th Annual Festival Scheduled for Nov. 10, 2018

Thousands attend annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival

Heritage Area Schedule 9:00 am – 5:00 pm