The one-time hamlet of Cascabel might be all but a ghost town - but that's not stopping folks who live in the surrounding area from holding their 32nd annual Cascabel Community Fair this weekend.
You might expect such an event to attract, oh, maybe a few dozen people.
After all, the town site marked on maps, with its long-closed post office and crumbling remains, is tucked away in a boondocks locale along the San Pedro River, a 90-minute drive east of Tucson.
Ah, but don't underestimate us, say fair organizers.
They boast that their two-day fairs have drawn nearly a thousand visitors in recent years - never mind the bumpy dirt-road drive required to get to Cascabel.
"It's a wonderful event, and it's been going every year for 32 years," said Barbara Clark, a semiretired potter who is considered to be a founder of the fair.
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The fair thrives thanks to the efforts of a dispersed community of people living along the San Pedro River - most of them miles away from the dot on the map known as Cascabel, she said.
"People come out with their families and friends and enjoy the fair in this beautiful area," said Clark, who operates Cascabel Clayworks.
The Clayworks, which is about four miles south of the original Cascabel town site, will host the fair along with two other sites within walking distance.
Clark said this year's fair - from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Saturday and Sunday - will feature live music, food, a raffle and artisans displaying their work in pottery, wrought iron, wood, jewelry, leather and more.
A DIVERSE COMMUNITY
The "Cascabel Community" living along the valley of the San Pedro is made up of ranchers, retirees, artisans, organic-food producers, home-business operators, a bird sanctuary and others, Clark said.
About 200 people live within a 10-mile radius of Cascabel, she estimates.
The area - with a ribbon of greenery along the river and expansive mesquite groves - is "restful on the eye and good on the heart," Clark said.
"We're so rural that we have a pretty tight-knit community," she said. "We're proud of our independence, but we're also interdependent on one another. If you need something, you call your neighbors."
FAIR ATTRACTIONS
Each day of the fair will feature music, food and artisans displaying their wares.
"We'll have mesquite furniture, pottery, alpaca products, a cabinetmaker, several jewelers, some handmade clothing, beef and organic produce," Clark said.
Food available for purchase will include soups and a barbecue plate.
if you go
• What: Cascabel Community Fair
• When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Where: Cascabel Clayworks and two nearby sites. They are about four miles south of the site identified as Cascabel on maps. Take Interstate 10 east from Tucson past Benson and get off at Exit 306. Drive north on a paved road for about 20 miles and continue five miles on an unpaved road. Signs will direct you to the fair and parking.
• Cost: Fair admission is free. Food and products will be for sale.
• Information: www.cascabel.org/
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192. On Twitter: @DouglasKreutz
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