Autumn in Tucson: Tubac Fall Arts & Crafts Festival

Here’s what you need to know:

It’s a juried show — which should mean little kitsch and high quality. There will be about 100 arts and crafts booths and the vendors are from around the country. Fine painting and sculpture, whimsical and functional ceramics, wood and leather works, photography, jewelry, clothing and mixed media works will be among the offerings.

Among the artists at the festival:

Tucson artist Roberto Marquez with his metal art fountains.

Santa Fe artist Amado Peña with new works and favorites.

Iowa are artists Daniel and Deborah Fenn with handblown glass.

There will be food: There is a food court and food booths. Tubac and the surrounding area also has several restauarants.

My pick, head down to Wisdom’s Café, 1931 E. Frontage Road in Tumacacori. The family-owned spot has been around since 1941. Order the fruit burros. Trust me. They are worth the calories, sugar and fat.

Head south the Frontage Road until you see the huge chickens. Warning: It’s closed on Sunday. There is a second spot in Tubac, Dos, sans the fruit burros.

Other things to do:

If you eat Wisdom's (or even if you don't) check out Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Company, 868 E Frontage Road, Tumacacori

There are plenty of shops in Tubac, including one of my favorite kitchen stores (and I do love kitchen stores) — Tumacookery. I love the name, too.

St. Ann's Catholic Church is a charming reminder of the past. 

Tubac Presidio State Historic Park,1 Burruel Street, preserves the ruins of the Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac and has other interesting buildings. Kiddos often find the old school house fascinating. I like the printing press used to print the Arizona’s first newspaper in 1859.

Take a hike: Tubac-Tumacacori segment of The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is 3½ miles of of Southern Arizona beauty that follows the river. You probably surmised that fall is my favorite time to hike the trail.