Almost nothing is more synonymous with springtime in Tucson than the bright yellow flowers of the palo verde tree.
Bright yellow palo verde blooms are a clear sign spring has sprung in Tucson.
This year, the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the arrival of the palo verde blossoms with the first-ever “Bloomfest” and a month long Palo Verde Bloom Festival, highlighting the unique beauty of the desert landscape and the cultures of the region.
Rob Elias, president of the Southern Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said he came up with the idea for the festival on his annual trip to Washington, D.C., for a United States Hispanic Chamber legislative conference.
“Every year I go to Washington, D.C., and I typically go during the cherry blossom festival,” he said. “On my way back last year, I thought, ‘why don't we have something similar in Arizona that highlights the beauty of our state tree? They're just as vibrant, if not more vibrant, than cherry blossoms, as stunning as those are.’”
On the plane ride back, Elias said he wrote up the entire plan for the festival.
“Tucson is this very unique place, comprised of so many different cultures that make this place special — not just in people, but in diversity of our natural environment,” he said. “We really want this to be a vibrant celebration that highlights our creativity as a region, that highlights our culture, and the many cultures that make Tucson so special, and to celebrate the incredible environment that we have here with this land that has sustained us for thousands of years.”
Palo verde trees are in bloom all over Tucson and including these few off of Silverbell Road on April 27, 2023.
This Saturday’s Bloomfest event is the official kickoff of the Palo Verde Bloom Festival, with a lineup of performers, speakers and nearly 200 vendors at the Kino Sports Complex, 2343 Tournament Way.
“Gates open at 10 a.m., and we're encouraging people to arrive early,” Elias said. “We're going to have a full day of entertainment.”
The festivities, which will run until 5 p.m., include folklórico dance by Viva Performing Arts, performances by the Philippine Mabuhay Cultural Foundation of Tucson and Ballet Tucson, a tribute to the United States’ 250th birthday and the armed forces, and more.
“We have two country headliners that are going to be performing,” Elias said.
Singer-songwriter Tyler Dial will take the stage from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., followed by country music singer Frank Ray at 3 p.m.
In addition to live music and entertainment, Elias said attendees can also expect a 35-foot-wide carousel for kids of all ages, as well as speeches by local elected officials.
“The mayor will be here to speak, the chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, Jennifer Allen, will be speaking, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva will be here to speak,” Elias said.
The entire festival will be free to attend, but parking will cost $10.
Viva Performing Arts Folklorico dancers will be among the groups performing Saturday at Bloomfest.
“This is our gift to the region,” Elias said. “We want this to be a community event, one that is owned by the community, that we just happen to host.”
The Palo Verde Bloom Festival officially starts April 1 and will run through the end of April, with special offerings from participating local businesses.
“Whether that be a bakery, a coffee shop, a hotel, a resort or a retailer, you can expect to find things that are specific to springtime in the desert,” Elias said. “Maybe it's a signature dessert at a restaurant, or a signature cocktail at a bar, or a signature candle that's inspired by springtime in the desert.”
For example, La Estrella Bakery’s downtown location will be serving a signature matcha drink with a yellow cold foam on top to represent the palo verde blooms.
Some of the community partners who have already signed on for the new festival include the Leo Kent Hotel, Tohono Chul Botanic Gardens and Arboretum, and the Tucson Botanical Gardens.
The hope, Elias said, is to inspire an appreciation for the local environment and community.
“We're encouraging people to go out, pay attention to the environment, be grateful for what it provides for us,” he said. “And let's celebrate that together.”
For more information on Bloomfest or the Palo Verde Bloom Festival, visit the event website or Instagram page.
A carpenter bee hovers over one of the blooming palo verde trees in the parking lot at Hi Corbett Field.
