The Great Arizona Picnic - 2013

Part of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival

By Judy Hedding, About.com Guide

Beer Sample at The Great Arizona Picnic

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The Great Arizona Picnic and the Southwest Festival of Beers happen on the same days and at the same location. These are two of the featured events of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. Sunshine, wonderful food, great beers, and hot music are the trademarks of the Great Arizona Picnic and Southwest Festival of Beers.

See pictures of The Great Arizona Picnic.

When is the Great Arizona Picnic?

Saturday, April 13, 2013 from noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2013 from noon to 6 p.m.

Where is it?

The event is held on the grounds of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Here's a map and directions to Scottsdale Civic Plaza/Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The Scottsdale Trolley will be making regular stops all weekend long at the various parking lots around downtown Scottsdale to get you to The Great Arizona Picnic.

How do I get tickets for the Great Arizona Picnic and how much are they?

Admission is $10. Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate. Children under 12 and seniors over 65 are free. Active military with ID are $5 at gate.

Tickets for the Southwest Festival of Beers are an additional $20 per person on Saturday, $15 on Sunday (21+ years old only). Price includes access to the area, a tasting mug and live music. Tasting Tickets to purchase $1 beer samples, wine, soft drinks and food are sold separately.

Are discounted tickets available?

Not that I know of.

What else should I know?

The Great Arizona Picnic is one event out of several that comprise the Scottsdale Culinary Festival. The Scottsdale Culinary Festival events take place over a period of about a week. The activities that most of the public are interested in are the outdoors, weekend casual events. Those are The Great Arizona Picnic held in conjunction with the Southwest Festival of Beers and Blues & Brews. Cooks & Corks used to be the VIP experience at the Great Arizona Picnic, but it has been replaced by several different levels of VIP tickets that allow adults into certain special areas with food, drinks and entertainment. At the former Cooks & Corks location, inside the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, everyone will be able to see what's new in the world of cooking and food at the vendor show, the Epicurean Expo (noon to 6 p.m. both days).

In addition to the general admission food and beverage booths and the Southwest Festival of Beers, gusts can purchase tickets to celebrity shows. The Epicurean Expo is a vendor show; admission is included with your general admission to the Great Arizona Picnic. The SKYY Bar and Tequila Deck have separate admission charges and are places where adults can relax and enjoy alcoholic beverages away from the Picnic crowds.

There are two stages. Live music at The Great Arizona Picnic and at the Southwest Festival of Beers starts at noon. You can see the entire schedule on the next page.

Leave your pets home; they won't be allowed in.