(Photos courtesy of High in the Desert and Mark Whittaker)

‘High in the Desert’ Sparks Up With Live Music, Cannabis, Food & More


October 2, 2024
a woman looking at the camera
By Chrissy Mance
By Chrissy Mance

High in the Desert is half music festival/half cannabis expo and a whole afternoon of fun.

On Saturday, October 5, dozens of cannabis brands, vendors, and more descend upon the MSA Annex in the Festival’s second bi-annual event. Whether you’re a live music fan, a cannabis aficionado, or a foodie, there’s something for everyone at High in the Desert.

VIP Ticketholders ($120) get in at 4 p.m., General Admission ($65) is at 5 p.m., and the event runs until 10 p.m. at 267 S. Avenida del Convento.

Live Music on Tap

Headlining the event is The Expendables, a reggae band from Santa Cruz, California. Featuring a
quartet of musicians, the group has made a name offering a mix of reggae, ska, punk, and metal since 1997. With eight studio albums under their belt, expect a mix of crowd-moving jams and a heavy California influence of surf rock.

(Photo courtesy of High in the Desert)

Supporting bands include Anarbor (from Phoenix), The Irie (from Chandler), and Tucson native Anjanee.

In addition, the event will feature DJ Frvnk Benjvmin with Lucid Lizard Entertainment spinning in between sets. Emcee Beef Vegan of Rock 102.1 KFMA will be entertaining festival-goers through the day.

Cannabis in It’s (many) Forms

This is High in the Desert, so expect a plethora of the cannabis plant flowing freely in all its various embodiments. Want to sample rosin? They’ll be a dab bar. Into pure cannabis flower? Head to the bong bar. Prefer vapor? There’s a bar for that, too.

Many brands and dispensaries are featured, offering plenty of samples and freebies from:

  • Grow Sciences
  • Abundant Organics
  • VARZ Cannabis
  • HALO Infusions
  • Lunchbox Dispensary
  • D2 Dispensaries
  • FENO
  • Jeeter
  • Dr. Greenthumb’s
  • i.o. Extracts
  • Earth’s Healing
  • Hello! Live Resin
  • projectpacks
(Photo courtesy of High in the Desert)
Community-Driven Vendor Village

When you’re not sampling products or jamming to the bands, enjoy the festival feel with various local artisans and informational booths. Home decor, smoking accessories, fashion and art will be offered.

Businesses on site include:

  • Live Glass Blowing by Sunset Glass Gallery
  • Live Painting with Art by Ercolini
  • Buffalo Bannnon
  • It’s Always 420 in AZ
  • Arizona NORML
  • Scuba Stash
  • Vibes Papers
  • Zen and Gems
  • Quantum Casual
  • Maude Pods
  • On Cloud Dye
  • Jazmin Roze Art
  • Butterfly Creations
  • Turtle Timber AZ
  • balance
  • Desert Alchemist
  • Little Rabbit Jewelry
  • Tucson Doobie
  • Creative Universe Productions
  • Desert Clairvoyant
  • Thrush Law Group
  • All Off Cannabis World
  • High in the Desert Merch
  • AZCan
Munchies Don’t Stand a Chance

Rounding out the event is a selection of food trucks and purveyors offering something for every palate. Handheld delights, decadent treats, and creative beverages will be offered.

Featured munchie-cures include:

  • CowPig Food Truck
  • You Sly Dog Food Truck
  • Mafia Kitchen Cannolis + Italian Sodas
  • Donut Blitz Food Truck
  • Roman’s Antojitos
  • Savage Mami
Burger from CowPig food truck (Photo by Mark Whittaker)

Get your tickets soon!

High in the Desert is taking place at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com.

Tucson Foodie is a locally owned and operated community. Thanks to our partners and members, we are able to offer paywall-free guides and articles. We value your support and invite you to become a Tucson Foodie Insider today.

Upcoming Events

View all events
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.
Double-click this headline to edit the text.
This is a block of text. Double-click this text to edit it.

Article By

Related Stories