The this-is-why-we-live-here weather should be the backdrop for the weekend's Tucson Meet Yourself folklife festival in Downtown Tucson.
The granddaddy of the fall festivals, Tucson Meet Yourself kicks off at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, closing at 11 p.m. It picks up again 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 11.
The mega festival is in its 42nd edition. And if you haven't been to the festival in a while, know that the event that once tucked into El Presidio Park now spreads out through the park, Jácome Plaza and onto Pennington Street. The three-day folklife festival packs downtown with food, music, performances, food, arts, costumes and food.
Here are some handy tips to make the most of Tucson Meet Yourself.
Did we mention there will be food? It’s been dubbed "Tucson Eat Yourself" for good reason. With 55 food vendors we find it best to survey the food choices before making a selection. We've — um, er, some people I know — purchased a dish at one place and then found something else they wanted elsewhere. We, I mean "they," bought (and ate) both, and had dessert, of course.
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That's where sharing comes in. If you're with family with older children, friends or Taylor Swift's Squad, spread out. Everyone picks a dish, rejoins the group at predetermined stop and samples the selections. You might find a new favorite.
Friday, Friday, Friday is our favorite day. The park, plaza and Pennington Street are curb-to-curb with people — 100,000 to 120,000 are expected over the three-day event — and their often, their pets. If you dislike bumping shoulders in crowds and lines, go Friday during the day.
In fact, a Friday al fresco lunch at Tucson Meet Yourself is among our favorite fall activities.
Speaking of your pets, leave them at home — especially on crowded at dusk on Friday and Saturday. Fido is easily stepped on in the crowds. (We carried our poor dachshund through most of the event of last year.) Others might "have a difficult time with the noise and number of people in close proximity," says the festival's website.
You don't have to leave doggie. Dogs are allowed at Tucson Meet Yourself, as the festival takes place in public areas with no restricted entry. Festival organizers ask "dog owners to exercise common sense and common courtesy."
Go for the food, stay for the arts and the shows. There will be 110 folk artists, including 50 Tohono O'odham and Yaqui artists in two pavilions, and 95 musical performances on three stages, which represent about 400 artists.
