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10th Anniversary of Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Nov. 10

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company is hosting the 10th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. The festival, which is held on the Green Valley Pecan farm, runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. There will be $5 on-site parking available immediately south of the Festival grounds with a portion of the proceeds benefiting groups volunteering at the event. A free shuttle service will also be available from Sahuarita School District and Walden Grove High School. This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival is dedicated to farmers and their essential work to feed communities worldwide.

This year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival attractions include:

  • The 10th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run, starting at 8 a.m. Register online at taggrun.com. Participants will receive a free race t-shirt; top qualifiers in the Pecan Classic will win pecan-themed awards. Members of the Sahuarita 4-H Club will volunteer at the race and receive a portion of the funds for their activities.
  • A Kids Area—to include bounce houses, bungee jumping, a rock climbing wall, the Boy Scouts monkey bridge, petting zoo, craft activities and Arabian horse demonstrations presented by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association.
  • Arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace, selling mostly, locally made, unique items perfect for holiday shopping.
  • A large area of Food vendors from all over Southern Arizona, preparing BBQ, sweets, and treats.
  • A Heritage Area, featuring tractor pull contests and antique tractor displays.
  • Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations. Cost is $2 per person (free for kids four years old or younger). All proceeds go directly to the Community Food Bank – Green Valley/Amado.
  • A Pecan Pie Contest, sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The entry fee is $10 and the registration form is due on Nov. 10. Open to all ages!
  • Pecan cracking contests.
  • Special entertainment guests include the Walden Grove High School dance team (The PAC), Southern Reins Band, Grizzly Band, and more.
  • Commemorative Festival items for purchase, including tote bags, t-shirts, lapel pins, and posters. In addition to the Festival, these items can be purchased in advance of the event at the Pecan Store.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival turns 10! We’re making our 10th anniversary the best one yet, featuring the America’s Got Talent famous dancers from Walden Grove’s PAC dance team, unique farming and pecan interactive activities, and the best gifts offered in the Santa Cruz Valley! We’re honoring the contributions of farmers this year and we’re excited to invite the community to celebrate with us,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The success of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival is a result of the collaboration of Green Valley Pecan Company and its community partners through various sponsorships. Major sponsors of the 2018 Festival include: Desert Diamond Casinos, Crown Community Development, Day’s Excavating, Meritage Homes, Sierra Mining & Crushing LLC, Stotz Equipment, Green Valley News, and KGUN 9 on Your Side.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past nine years, the Festival has raised more than $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

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Sahuarita Pecan Festival Raises $14,000 for Community

10th Annual Festival Scheduled for Nov. 10, 2018

2017 Sahuarita Pecan Festival
More photos in our gallery

 

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Green Valley Pecan Company hosted the 9th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at the Green Valley Pecan farm, drawing approximately 25,000 guests throughout the day. Families and friends celebrated Veterans Day at the Festival with horse-drawn wagon rides, pecan cracking contests, tractor pull contests, and Veteran recognition events, including a flyover by the 162nd Wing and a special photo at the Festival of more than 50 local veterans that was featured in the Green Valley News.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival kicked off in the morning with the 9th Annual Pecan Classic and Family Fun Run—hosted by Tagg Running Events—that led nearly 350 runners and walkers through the pecan orchard. The top male finisher in the 3.3-mile was 29-year-old Jose Rodriguez with a time of 18:22.0; the top female finisher was 33-year-old Lauren Reasoner from Sahuarita with a time of 20:58.6.

2017 Sahuarita Pecan Festival Pie Contest
More photos in our gallery

Thirteen pies were entered in the Festival’s Pecan Pie Contest, hosted by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The 2017 winner was Morgan Scott of Sahuarita. In second place was Louann Young and in third place was Christina Stephens. They all used Green Valley Pecans as the main ingredient in their pies. Participants were judged by District 4 Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy, Chef Frédéric Lange from Lavender’s Restaurant in Green Valley, Town of Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy, retired actor Michael Caprio who performed in well-known productions such as “Amistad” and “The Sopranos,” and Chase Emery, a member of the Sahuarita High School culinary arts program.

As a major annual event in the Sahuarita and Green Valley communities, the Sahuarita Pecan Festival helps support local volunteer groups and non-profits. This year, $14,000 was raised, a portion of which will be distributed to local community groups within the coming weeks, including: the Amado-Green Valley Community Food Bank; Walden Grove High School groups such as the Student Council, the Booster Club, Wolfpack Football team, the Camera Club, the Cheer team, and the Law & Public Safety; Boy Scouts of America Troop 301; Valle Verde Rotary Club; the Sahuarita Food Bank; the Sahuarita Police Explorers; Tucson Synchro; and Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, an organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and disabled veterans through fly fishing. In total, the Festival has raised nearly $100,000 for the community over the past nine years.

“The 9th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival was a huge success! Guests were able to get some holiday shopping done while also learning about the farm and honoring our veterans. Best of all, we raised money for local charities that will help families in our community. Join us next year for our 10th Anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 10!” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009; over the past nine years, the Festival has raised approximately $100,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

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Judges Selected for the Pecan Pie Contest

Pecan Pie Contest 2017

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Judges have been announced for the Pecan Pie Contest, to be held during the 9th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 at the Green Valley Pecan farm. Judges will include local elected officials, media representatives, a culinary arts high school student, and a chef. Judges will taste the pecan pies the morning of the Festival with an official announcement of the top three pies at 1:30 p.m.

Judges for this year’s Pecan Pie Contest will be:

  • Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy
  • Town of Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy
  • Green Valley News Publisher Dru Sanchez
  • KGUN 9 reporter Allen “Big Al” Kath
  • Lavender Restaurant Chef Frédéric Lange
  • Sahuarita High School culinary arts student Chase Emery

The general public is invited to compete in the Pecan Pie Contest; entry forms, along with a $10 entry fee, must be submitted by Nov. 10 to Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue, located at 15990 S. Rancho Sahuarita Blvd. Contestants will bake and deliver two pies to the Sahuarita Pecan Festival on Nov. 11 by 11 a.m. Winners will be announced at the main stage during the Festival at 1:30 p.m.; top three finishes will receive prizes from Green Valley Pecan Company. For more information, including a downloadable entry form, visit sahuaritapecanfestival.com.

“The Sahuarita Pecan Festival’s Pecan Pie Contest is always a fan-favorite! This year our competitors will have to show off their baking skills to several local community leaders, such as Pima County Supervisor Steve Christy. It’s not too late to enter the Pecan Pie Contest; entries are due Nov. 10,” said Paula Beemer, Sahuarita Pecan Festival Coordinator.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is held at the Green Valley Pecan Company located at 1625 E. Sahuarita Road in Sahuarita, AZ. The inaugural event was in 2009 and averages approximately 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past eight years, the Festival has raised more than $75,000 for local charities. For the more details, please visit the official Festival website at www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com. Additional information can also be found on Facebook (/SahuaritaPecanFestival) and Twitter (@PecanFestival).

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Who Can Make The BEST Pecan Pie? Register for the 2016 Pecan Pie Contest!

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Pie Contest

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – The 8th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, a good old fashioned country fair, is holding its 4th annual Pecan Pie Contest, presented by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque.

Pie contest registration forms can be found at either the Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue (15990 S Rancho Sahuarita Blvd) in Sahuarita’s Fry’s Marketplace or online at www.sahuaritapecanfestival.com. The entry fee is $10 and entrants will receive a 1 lb bag of pecan halves for baking. Contest participants will be recognized on the Sahuarita Pecan Festival Facebook, website and during the judging at the Festival on Nov. 12, 2016. Gift certificates and pecans will be awarded.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, AZ.  The Sahuarita Pecan Festival averages nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past seven years, the Festival has raised more than $20,000 and 6,000 pounds of food for local charities.

Local organizations that will benefit from Sahuarita Pecan Festival 2016 are: Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation, Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank, Sahuarita Unified School District and Optimist Club of Green Valley. Sponsorships and vendor participation and other activities enable the Sahuarita Pecan Festival to financially support the work of these local groups.

Pecan Pie Contest Entry Form

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SAHUARITA PECAN FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 3rd ANNUAL PECAN PIE CONTEST

Green Valley Pecan - Photo by Dan LamontSAHUARITA, Ariz. – The 7th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, a good old fashioned country fair, is holding its 3rd annual Pecan Pie Contest, presented by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque.

Contest registration forms can be found at either the Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue location in Sahuarita’s Fry’s Marketplace or online at www.sahuaritapecanfestival.com. The entry fee is $10 and entrants will receive a 1 lb bag of pecan halves for baking. Contest participants will be recognized on the Pecan Festival Facebook, website and during the judging at the Festival on Nov. 14, 2015. Gift certificates and pecans will be awarded.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, AZ.  The Sahuarita Pecan Festival averages nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past six years, the Festival has raised more than $20,000 and 6,000 pounds of food for local charities.

Local organizations that will benefit from Sahuarita Pecan Festival 2015 are: Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation, Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank, Sahuarita Unified School District, Sahuarita Explorers, Optimist Club of Green Valley and Valle Verde Rotary. Sponsorships and vendor participation and other activities enable the Sahuarita Pecan Festival to financially support the work of these local groups.

Pecan Pie Contest Entry Form

 

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7th ANNUAL SAHUARITA PECAN FESTIVAL GEARING UP

Pecan Festival 2014SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Preparations are well under way for the 7th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, an old-fashioned country fair with activities for all ages. Hosted by The Green Valley Pecan Company, it will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita. Admission to the Festival will be free.

“We are excited to open the farm for our guests to learn about agriculture and the heritage of the Santa Cruz River Valley. The festival is now a tradition in southern Arizona, with more than 20,000 people attending this one-day event,” said Jennifer Zubieta, Director of Community Relations and Events.

The day’s festivities will kick off with the Pecan Classic Nut Run/Walk at 8 a.m. To register, go to taggrun.com. Register by Oct. 31, 2015 to receive your commemorative T-shirt.

This year’s festival attractions include a KID’s Zone, sponsored by the Sahuarita Sun. The KID’s Zone will include bounce houses, carnival games, bungee jumping and pony rides and our popular Arabian Horse demonstrations presented by the Southern Arizona Arabian Horse Association (SAAHA).

As in years past, there will be arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace to start your holiday shopping. Also, food vendors from throughout Southern Arizona will be preparing great barbeque and other local fare along with sweets and treats.

Pecan Festival 2014Our heritage area will feature the always-popular tractor pull contests, antique tractor displays, and the heritage tent where guests can learn about traditional basket weaving, and agriculture and history of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations will be available for either a food or monetary donation to the Green Valley-Sahuarita Community Food Bank.

Now in its third year, the Sahuarita Pecan Pie Contest is sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque. The entry fee is $10 and entrants will receive a 1 lb bag of pecan halves for baking. Registration forms can be found at either the Mama’s Hawaiian Barbeque location in Sahuarita or at www.sahuaritapecanfestival.com.

Festival attendees can take advantage of the free shuttle service from three locations around Sahuarita: Walden Grove High School, Quail Creek Grill parking lot, and Sahuarita Unified School District parking lot.

Also, parking (general and disabled) will be available immediately south of the festival grounds for $5.00 per car; a portion of the proceeds going to local community organizations volunteering at the Sahuarita Pecan Festival.

Most of the festival grounds and parking areas are not paved, so please take care and be aware of the grounds when getting around.

Pecan Festival 2014Sahuarita Pecan Festival is Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, AZ.  The Sahuarita Pecan Festival averages nearly 20,000 attendees each year. Over the past six years, the Festival has raised more than $20,000 and 6,000 pounds of food for local charities.

Local organizations that will benefit from Sahuarita Pecan Festival 2015 are: Sahuarita Educational Enrichment Foundation, Green Valley Sahuarita Community Food Bank, Sahuarita Unified School District, Sahuarita Explorers, Optimist Club of Green Valley and Valle Verde Rotary. Sponsorships and vendor participation and other activities enable the Sahuarita Pecan Festival to financially support the work of these local groups.

For the latest updates, please visit the official Festival website at

Web:                www.SahuaritaPecanFestival.com

Facebook:        www.Facebook.com/sahuaritapecanfestival.com

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Pecan Cracking Contest Tomorrow

One of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival’s family friendly activities will be the Pecan Cracking Contest. It will be held under the main tent area throughout the day. Winners will be announced at 2:00 pm.

Groups of contestants will sit down with a kit of pecans and a cracker. Contestants have 5 minutes to crack as many pecans as they can and present to the judges the complete halves.  *HINT* A complete half is considered 7/8 or greater.

Take a look behind the scenes of Green Valley Pecan Company. From our farm to your table.

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Who Makes the Best Pecan Pie?

Green Valley Pecan - Photo by Dan LamontDo you know someone that makes the best pecan pie? Or do you have THE recipe that everyone raves about? Let it be known to all and register for the Pecan Pie Contest at this year’s Sahuarita Pecan Festival. The cost is $10 (includes 1 lbs bag of Green Valley Pecans) and open to all ages. Registration forms can be picked up at Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue in Sahuarita or download the form online. Bring 2 pies, (1 for presentation display and 1 for judging) between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Please read full rules below.

The 2014 Pecan Pie Contest is sponsored by Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue! Mama’s menu features traditional Hawaiian Plate Lunches, Homemade desserts and a daily special with island flair. Mama’s serves the full menu seven days a week. Visit the Sahuarita location or the 3 others around Tucson.

Contest Rules  |  Registration Form

Sahuarita Pecan Festival Pecan Pie Contest Rules

  1. Enter Pie
    a. Registration forms can be picked up at Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue in Sahuarita or online. There is a $10.00 fee to enter contest and must be paid at time of registration at the Rancho Sahuarita Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue location only. Contestants will also receive a 1 lbs bag of Green Valley Pecans for their pies when they pay their registration.
    i. Pies must be entered in the name of the person who made it.
    ii. Acknowledge that the entered pies become the property of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival and that you do not get your pie or pie pan back.
    iii. If you are a winner, you give your permission to have your photo taken during the announcement ceremony and have it used for Festival promotional materials, including the website and Facebook.
    b. Bring two pies (one for presentation display and one for judging) to the contest site (contest table will be in entertainment area, VIP Tucson Originals tent) between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the day of the Sahuarita Pecan Festival.
    c. NO PIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT MAMA’S HAWAIIAN BBQ. You must deliver your pie on Saturday, November 8, 2014 to the stage area – Tucson Originals VIP Tent.
    d. One general parking pass is given for parking. Please be aware of major construction and delays and plan delivery on Saturday, November 8 accordingly.
    e. ABOSOLUTELY NO PIES THAT REQUIRE REFRIGERATION (i.e. dairy or cream). The person running the Pie Contest will have the final say on acceptability of pies.
    f. A copy of your pie recipe is required. It may be used in future festival promotions. It will be posted on our Facebook pages as well.
    g. All contest entrants will receive a “PIE BAKER” ribbon.
  2. Categories
    a. Adult
    b. Youth (Max. age = 18)
  3. Prizes
    i. 1st Place ribbon and $100 gift card and $50 gift card to Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue.
    ii. 2nd Place ribbon and $50 gift card, $50 gift card to Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue.
    iii. 3rd Place ribbon and $25 gift card to Mama’s Hawaiian Barbecue.
  4. Judging
    a. Judging will start at about 12:00 pm. It is closed to general public.
    b. Criteria
    i. Overall appearance
    ii. Crust
    iii. Taste
    iv. Amount of pecans used
    c. Scoring
    i. Each judge assigns a numerical value (1-10) in each criteria category, without consultation with the other judges.
    ii. The pie receiving the highest total numerical value is the winner.
    iii. In the case of a tie, the judges will judge those pies again.
    d. Winners will be announced after the judging is complete.
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6th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival

SAHUARITA, Ariz. – Preparations are well on their way for the 6th Annual Sahuarita Pecan Festival, an old-fashioned country fair with activities for all ages. It will take place on Saturday November 8, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E. Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita. Admission to the Festival will be free.

Sahuarita Pecan FestivalThe day’s festivities will kick off with the Pecan Classic 15k and 5k and The Nut Run – A Family Fun Run – 1.5 Mile at 8 a.m. More information on taggrun.com. Register by November 2, for your free T-shirt.

This year’s festival attractions include a KID’s Zone. The KID’s Zone will include bounce houses, carnival games, petting zoo and pony rides.

As in years past, there will be arts and crafts vendors in the marketplace to start your holiday shopping. Also, food vendors from throughout Southern Arizona will be preparing great BBQ and other local fare along with sweets and treats. The Pecan Store will have a large outdoor store with whole pecans, flavored pecans, pecan meal and much more.

The entertainment area will feature live music performances, traditional Tohono O’odham dance, Mariachis and our famous pecan cracking contest.

The Heritage area will showcase Arabian horse demonstrations, tractor pull contests, antique tractor displays, and the heritage tent where guest can learn about traditional basket weaving, and agriculture and history of the Santa Cruz River Valley. Horse-drawn wagon rides into the orchard for pecan harvest demonstrations will be available for either a food or monetary donation to the Green Valley-Sahuarita Community Food Bank.

SPF postcardFestival attendees please take advantage of the free shuttle service from around Sahuarita to get to the Festival grounds. Shuttles will be located in the parking lots of the Sahuarita School District, Quail Creek and Walden Grove High School.

Also, parking will be available immediately south of the festival grounds for $5.00 per car for the day; a portion of the proceeds going to local community organizations volunteering at the Sahuarita Pecan Festival.

A key focus of the Pecan Festival is the support it provides local community organizations. Sponsorships and vendor participation and other activities enable the Sahuarita Pecan Festival to financially support the work of these local groups.

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival has averaged nearly 12,000 attendees each year. Over the past four years, the Festival has raised more than $13,000 and 2,600 pounds of food for local charities.

Presented by FICO and The Green Valley Pecan Company

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6th Annual Pecan Classic 15k and 5k Run and The Nut Run

The Sixth Annual Pecan Classic 15k and 5k and The Nut Run – A Family Fun Run – 1.5 Mile

Pecan Classic RunDATE: Saturday, November 8, 2014

LOCATION:  Green Valley Pecan Company, 1625 E Sahuarita Road, Sahuarita, AZ 85629

START TIME: 8:00am

COST:  Pecan Classic 15k & 5k – $30 until 8/1, $35 8/2 to 9/30, $40 10/1 to race day

Nut Run – $15 12 & under, $20 13 & over

PARKING: Parking is free until 8:30am  Anyone arriving after that will have to pay $5.00.

We are introducing new distances to the Pecan Classic.  Come be a part of this run, and run through the Pecan orchard in November in all it’s fall colors… The race route will travel a scenic course on the orchards south of Sahuarita Road on dirt roads and trails through the pecan orchards, giving runners a unique opportunity to see the farm and enjoy the most amazing Fall running experience under the trees. The Pecan Classic 15k features prize money and unique awards to first place man and woman.  The top three men and top three women will receive gift baskets from the Pecan Store.  Awards to top three finishers in each division in the Pecan Classic 15k and 5k.  All race participants in the Pecan Classic will receive a FREE tech t-shirt which is guaranteed to all who pre-register by 10/26/14 or a cotton t-shirt which is guaranteed to all who pre-register from 10/27/2014 thru 11/2/2014.  The Nut Run features ribbons to all participants and a cotton t-shirt if pre-registered by 11/2/14.  This years beneficiary will be decided by the Pecan Festival Committee later in the year. Come for the pecans and much more!

The Sahuarita Pecan Festival will be held on Saturday, November 8th , from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Festival will celebrate the culture, cuisine and music of the Santa Cruz Valley. Designed to be fun for all ages, live entertainment and family-friendly activities, including real harvest demonstrations, hayrides and games, will be available for children and adults to enjoy.  A variety of regional food and pecan-related dishes will be showcased, along with a local arts and crafts market and live music.

Download Pecan Classic Flier here

Online registration here