Get your fill of festivals and fun times with this month-by-month look at the Valley’s high season.
(Please double check respective websites for potential cancellations, postponements and updated information before attending)
Pumpkin & Chili Party
October 1-31
Corn mazes, a haunted bus, hayrides, pig races, amusement rides, bonfires, miniature golf, fireworks and a pumpkin patch highlight this family festival. Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Rd., Queen Creek, 480-987-3100, schnepffarms.com
Follow the Fork
October 2
Tastings from a dozen restaurants are complemented by live music and interactive art. 6-8 p.m., $25; VIP reception begins at 5:30 p.m., $50. Park West, 9744 W. Northern Ave., Peoria, shopparkwest.com
Arizona State Fair
October 2-30
The fair rolls into town with an abundance of thrilling rides, midway games, animal exhibits and the latest deep-fried-food-on-a-stick. Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, 602-252-6771, azstatefair.com
Phoenix Greek Festival
October 8-10
Greek music, art and children’s activities are on tap, complemented by such homeland favorites as gyros, spanakopita, baklava, ouzo and imported Greek beer and wine. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Community Center, 1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix, phoenixgreekfestival.org
Halloween Spook-Track-Ula
October 8-31
The Paradise & Pacific Railroad is transformed
into a haunted train ride for this family-friendly event. 6:30-9 p.m. McCormick-
Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Rd., Scottsdale, 480-312-2312, therailroadpark.com
Country Thunder
October 14-17
Luke Combs, Eric Church, Old Dominion and Dustin Lynch headline this outdoor music fest. Country Thunder West, 20585 E. Price (Station) Rd., Florence, 866-388-0007, countrythunder.com
Harvest Moon Feast
October 20
Top chefs and students serve their specialties at this fundraiser for Careers through Culinary Arts Program. Chef Mark Tarbell taps into his musical side with Nate Nathan and the MacDaddy-O’s. 5:30-9 p.m. Tarbell’s, 3213 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, ccapinc.org
Burro Run & Mining Festival
October 22-24
The Apache Leap Mining Festival features a carnival, parade, live entertainment, arts and crafts, Chihuahua races, burro adoptions, a beer and wine garden and a grueling hands-on mining competition. Pack burro racing is a highlight, with teams of one human partner and one burro traversing 3-, 6- and 12-mile courses through Main Street and the Tonto National Forest. Oct. 22, 5-11 p.m.; Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Oct. 24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Superior Chamber of Commerce, 165 W. Main St., Superior, 520-689-0200, superiorarizonachamber.org
Scottsdale Polo Championships
October 23
This high-energy extravaganza features several polo matches, live entertainment, a catwalk fashion show, canine couture event and wine tastings. Gates open at 10 a.m. WestWorld of Scotts-dale, 16601 N. Pima Rd., Scottsdale, thepoloparty.com
