SAFFORD — It’s spring, so that means it’s time for the Safford Spring Festival.
The Safford Spring Festival takes place Friday and Saturday, April 21-22.
“We’ve invited wineries from around the state to come join us to do wine tastings on the lawn in front of Safford City Hall, Fireman’s Park,” said Vance Bryce, Graham County Chamber of Commerce executive director. “We’re starting at 5 p.m. Friday night. We’ve got opening ceremonies at that time, we’ve got live music (and) we’ve got food trucks.”
The Spring Festival will run until 10 p.m. Friday, re-opening Saturday at 8 a.m. for yoga. At 9 a.m. a groundbreaking will take place on the City Hall lawn for Earth Day, followed by more live music and wine tastings throughout the day, culminating with a performance by JJ’s Party Band to close out the day.
“Man, those guys are so much fun,” said Double R Sound owner Reed Richins. “They’re bring a horn section. If you like a little bit of ‘90s hip hop and ‘70s disco and a little bit of funk; these guys are so much fun.”
Two local restaurants will be celebrating during Spring Festival. Red Oven Pizza — a few steps to the east of Fireman’s Park on Main Street — is celebrating its third anniversary April 20, and will have three days of sales Wednesday through Friday. And Fancy Pizzeria — across 8th Avenue to the west of Fireman’s Park — will have a grand-opening ribbon cutting Saturday at 11 a.m. with a full day of sales.
Festival goers are encouraged to walk Safford’s Downtown during the Festival, taking photos and selfies of the Downtown Mural Project artworks. Post with the hashtag #SaffordSpringFestival2023.
Wineries participating in the 2023 Safford Spring Festival include Elgin Winery, Elgin Distillery, Sonoita Vineyards and Waggin’ Vineyard & Estate.
The Safford Spring Festival is organized by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce in connection with the Safford Downtown Association, Gila Valley Film Festival, Gila Valley Adventure Club, Graham County Historical Society, Eastern Arizona Historical Society and Museum, the City of Safford, Town of Thatcher, Town of Pima, and Graham County. Copper Chamber Members Bayacan LLC and NatureSweet Tomatoes also play a massive role in making the event possible.
