What
Agave Heritage Festival
When
April 28 – May 7
More Info
agaveheritagefestival.com
Tucson’s Agave Heritage Week returns this year for its ninth iteration as the Agave Heritage Festival from April 28 through May 7.
This year, enjoy more than a week of celebrating the cultural, commercial, and culinary significance of agave in Arizona through a festival of seminars, trade shows, and world-class culinary events.
Guests can look forward to returning agave events such as the tastings and Agave 101 class by Master Mezcalier Sergio Inurrigarro.
Additional events and revised events will join the fray, such as the Carriage House’s agave brunch and the Maynards Market & Kitchen agave cocktail pairing dinner.
Mission Garden Presentation
Friday, April 28
Jesus Garcia fires up the agave pit while sharing about agave preparation and tasting the best in agave spirits.
The event begins at 4 p.m. Adults 21 and over are $25, guests under 21 are $5, and children six and under get in free.
To purchase tickets or for more information go to Mission Garden or call (520) 955-5200.
The Opening of the Fire Pit
Saturday, April 29
Jesus Garcia is joined by Suzanne and Paul Fish and Carolyn Niethammer, to share tastes of roasted agave, how to cook it at home, make agave rope, spirit tastings of course, and more.
Event is from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Ages 21 and over is $25, ages 6-20 are $5, and children 6 years and under get in free.
To purchase tickets go to Mission Garden or call (520) 955-5200 for more information.
Ancient Agave Garden Tour
Saturday, April 29
Suzanne and Paul Fish take you on a fascinating tour of ancient agave roasting sites on Tumamoc Hill.
The tour is from 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Transportation from Mission Garden to the tour site leaves Mission Garden at 8:30 a.m.
To purchase tickets go to Mission Garden or call (520) 955-5200 for more information.
Ana Valenzuela Presentation
Wednesday, May 3
Get passionate about agave conservation and promotion at this panel discussion.
The event is free at 12 p.m. in the Haury Auditorium at the University of Arizona.
For more information call (520) 621-2211.
Proclamation from Mayor Rothschild
Wednesday, May 3
Mayor Rothschild speaks to the public inside the lobby at Hotel Congress and makes Agave Heritage Festival official. The event is free and begins at 2 p.m.
For more information call (520) 622-8848.
Art In The Lobby
Thursday, May 4
Come and see the great art work of local artists Diane Bombshelter and Paul Mirocha displayed on the famous walls of Hotel Congress.
The free exhibit begins at 6 p.m. inside the lobby of the hotel.
For more information call (520) 622-8848.
Tucson City of Gastronomy Seminar
Thursday, May 4
Learn more how the native agave plant continues to be a source of inspiration to our food, local products, and economics.
Hear from the Center for Regional Food Systems, Gary Nabhan and celebrated mixologist and founder of the Tucson chapter of the USBG, Aaron DeFeo. Tickets for the seminar are $15 and it begins at 6 p.m. inside the Maynards Market & Kitchen drawing room.
For more information call (520) 545-0577.
Mezcal and Chocolate Pairing Seminar
Thursday, May 4
Join artisanal chocolatier Anayency Gomez and experience how chocolate can bring out the distinctive characteristics of mezcal in a unique way.
Tickets for the seminar are $15 and it begins at 7 p.m. inside the Maynards Market & Kitchen Drawing Room.
For more information call (520) 545-0577.
MEZcrawl
Thursday, May 4
Start at Hydra to explore the many takes of mezcal by walking to different downtown bars, filled with agave spirits, great cocktails and paired light bites.
The participating bars are:
- Good Oak Bar
- R Bar
- Penca
- Borderlands Brewing Company
- Charro Steak
The crawl is from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. General admission is $25 or $40 if you’d like to take home a commemorative t-shirt.
For tickets or more information visit MEZcrawl or call (520) 622-8848.
Fibers, Tequila and Fun
Friday, May 5 – Sunday, May 7
Come explore agave and how it was used by natives of the Sonoran desert for food, beverage, medicines, fibers, and more.
The free event is from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
For more information call (520) 883-2702.
Agave Garden Tours
Friday, May 5 – Sunday, May 7
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is giving a free tour of the Agave Garden, led by Desert Museum horticulturist, Jason Wiley.
The free tour is from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
For more information head to Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum or call (520) 883-2702.
Cryptic Gardens and Cryptic Agaves
Friday, May 5
Wendy Hodgson & Andrew Salywon explain how pre-Columbian agave clones survived in the Sonoran Desert from A.D. 600.
The free event begins at 1:30 p.m at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
For more information call (520) 883-2702.
Agave Heritage Dinner
Friday, May 5
Culinary giant chefs Janos Wilder and Brian Smith collaborate to create a Sonoran-style 4-course dinner with agave based cocktail pairings.
Dinner is from 6:30 p.m – 10 p.m. Tickets cost $110 (plus tax & gratuity) and can be purchased at Maynards Market & Kitchen patio. Proceeds from this dinner help benefit Native Seeds/SEARCH.
For more information call (520) 545-0577.
Cinco De Mayo Concert
Friday, May 5
Hotel Congress presents a real Cinco de Mayo party. Hosted by El Tambo and DJ Dirtyverbs the event features a CD release from local Latin favorites, Santa Pachita. Music starts at 7 p.m. with happy hour beginning at 5 p.m. and food all night. Event is free until 9 p.m., and $3 after.
- A fun and colorful event inside Club Congress with Santa Pachita, DJ Dirtyverbs, and El Tambo DJs
- Happy hour from 5-9 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m.
- $3 to enter (free before 9 p.m.), 21+
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to make hotel room reservations, visit hotelcongress.com or call (520) 622-8848.
Agave Heritage Fest
Saturday, May 6
Immerse yourself in this annual celebration with over 40 tastes of tequilas, mezcals, sotols, and bacanoras at Hotel Congress.
Event also includes a cocktail competition, agave education, live demonstrations, music, and an Agave 101 class by Master Mezcalier Sergio Inurrigarro.
The party is from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. and tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
For tickets and more information head to hotelcongress.com or call (520) 622-8848.
Agave Heritage Brunch
Sunday, May 7
The Carriage House is ending this year’s celebration with a culinary fusion 4-course brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chefs Janos Wilder and Anthony Colucci will create a dining sensation paired with agave inspired mimosa flights. Proceeds from this brunch help benefit Mission Garden.
Tickets are $69, which includes tax and gratuity.
For more information call (520) 615-6100, and make sure to pick up your tickets beforehand here.
Stay in the Tucson Foodie Loop
Weekly digest of new openings, events, and guides. No spam.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
