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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts

Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts (Photo courtesy of SAACA)

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts

Mar 12, 20242 min read

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is bringing the Spring Festival of the Arts back to the Oro Valley Marketplace (12155 N. Oracle Rd.) this St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17.

The festival will host more than 125 artists and exhibitors spanning all mediums, food vendors, live Celtic music and cultural dance performances on the main stage, inflatable art installations, a kid’s crafting station, beer and wine garden, bagpipers, and more.

Oh, and the festival is free to attend.

Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts (Photo courtesy of SAACA)

St. Patrick’s Day Fun

Unique to this iteration of the Spring Festival of the Arts is a Celtic theme — just in time for St. Patrick’s Day Weekend.

Roving bagpipers will entertain with traditional Irish songs throughout the festival grounds while live Celtic music and cultural dance performances will excite on the main stage.

Participating Food Vendors

  • Be Crepeful
  • ​Cactus Jack Lemonade 
  • Col. Mustard / Mr. Ice Guy
  • Cook’s Kettle Corn
  • Gus’s Gyros and Lemonade
  • Hector’s South of the Border
  • Ricuras de Venezuela 
  • San Francisco Chocolate Factory
  • Oh Wow Mini Donuts
Oro Valley Spring Festival of the Arts (Photo courtesy of SAACA)

Live Music Schedule

Saturday, March 16
  • 11 a.m. – The Out of Kilters (Irish)
  • Noon – Dunnóg (Irish)
  • 1 p.m. – Celtic Steps (Celtic Dance)
  • 2 p.m. – Saguaro City Music Theatre
  • 2:30 p.m. – Kids Unlimited (Choral and Dance)
  • 3:45 p.m. – NOLAtude (New Orleans Jazz)
Sunday, March 17
  • 10 a.m. – Saguaro Stompers & Sonoran Sol Cloggers
  • 11 a.m. – The Wild Swans (Irish)
  • Noon – Púca and the Wild Ones (Irish)
  • 1 p.m. – Saguaro City Music Theatre
  • 1:45 p.m. – Miss Olivia and the Interlopers (Rock/Blues)

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation, and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.

SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.

The Spring Festival of the Arts is at the Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd. For more information, visit saaca.org.

Article written by:

Sam Jump
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Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us!

Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.Foodie mixer at @kindeethaiaz!🌸 Thank you to Kin Dee Thai and everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us! Want to explore Tucson’s restaurant scene, eat at exclusive dinners with local chefs, and get $7,500+ in perks at 130 local spots? Tap the Tucson Foodie membership link in bio.
IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. 

Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.IOU Sushi III has closed. The all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant on North Oracle Road announced the news on Facebook after about 10 years in Tucson. “This is the hardest post I’ve had to write,” the owners said. The post continued, “we have met some great friends who have become family to us.” Tucson Foodie first visited the restaurant in 2017, when it operated as IOU Sushi IV. Read the full story on tucsonfoodie.com.
THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 

@Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. 

Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. 

The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. 

WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave.
TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free
 
SPECIAL ADMISSION: 
• Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID 
• Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups
• Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID

ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.THE FALL SOUTHERN AZ HOME SHOW RETURNS OCT. 16-18 WITH TWO BIG CULINARY HEADLINERS🔥 @Tcctucson welcomes award-winning pitmaster @Sloanrinaldi for an “All Things Brisket” demo at 2:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a meet-and-greet. Three-time Iron Chef Tucson champion @Chef_antbanks of @Obonsushi takes the Culinary Showcase Stage Saturday at noon. The show will also feature 200+ vendors, food trucks, pet-friendly attractions, adoptable animals, HGTV’s Matt Blashaw, the Kids Market, and more. WHEN: Oct. 16-18 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. WHERE: TCC 📍260 S. Church Ave. TICKETS: $8 | $4 with discount coupon | Kids 12 & under free SPECIAL ADMISSION: • Friday: Seniors 65+ free; half-price for military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers with ID • Saturday: Half-price for seniors and the same groups • Sunday (Heroes Day): Seniors half-price; military, veterans, first responders, police, firefighters & teachers free with ID ALL DAYS: $2 admission from 3-5 p.m. Free parking in Convention Center Lot B.
Anne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. 

Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 
Photos by @sea_lyonAnne Rysdale built @sheltercocktaillounge in 1961 with concrete walls, lava rock, and Cold War nerves. Today, owners Pam Santangelo and Kevin Breutzmann keep the Tucson bar exactly as regulars remember it. Inside, martinis share space with JFK memorabilia, a vintage atomic chandelier, and a suit of armor named Charlie. “Tucson is changing so much, but this has stayed the same. It’s a time capsule,” Santangelo said. Read @sea_lyon’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photos by @sea_lyon