There will be things going on to appeal to attendees of all ages. Featured will be everything from live musical entertainment and shopping to carnival rides to food vendors, a Kids Korral of fun, a beer garden, a motorcycle show benefiting Disabled American Veterans, an Antique Tractor and Engine Show, a Car Show and a SACA Art Show.
The Antique Tractor and Farm Engine Show, sponsored by First Choice Glass, 900 W. Apache Trail, will run all three days from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the field between the Chamber of Commerce Office and Wells Fargo Bank. Tractors of all descriptions and “hit-or-miss” farm engines will be displayed free for all spectators to enjoy.
On Saturday, Nov. 10, Rip’s NAPA Annual Car Show will run from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Classic cars of all types and sizes will delight attendees. A festival dance is scheduled with Desert Reign performing from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The traditional Apache Junction community Veterans Day Parade will become part of the celebration for the first year this year and kicks off from the City Focal Point at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11.
This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Newest Heroes.” As in years past, the honorary parade will be held on the Apache Trail beginning at Phelps Drive and will proceed west to Gold Drive, then loop back east to Phelps Drive while traveling the Apache Trail.
Other community events have been piggybacked with the celebration and include the Goldfield Ghost Riders’ 17th annual Ben Johnson Days that features three days of fundraising events including the raffle off a brand new three-horse Primo trailer by Titan, a Saturday gymkhana; and a Poker Ride on Sunday out of Goldfield Ghost Town.
The Superstition Arts & Culture Alliance (SACA) is holding an art show in conjunction with the festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, on the festival grounds. Sharon Stinard, president of SACA, is proud to be teaming up with the FOTS for this year’s show.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity for area artists and artisans to showcase their work to the thousands of visitors who will be coming out to enjoy the parade and the festival,” Stinard said.
Larry Johnson, president/CEO, of the AJ Chamber of Commerce, host of the annual festival, estimated last year’s attendance at over 3,000, and expects this year’s attendance to exceed 5,000.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit the Apache Junction Chamber Scholarship Program, Apache Junction Food Bank and the Apache Junction Boys and Girls Club.
The event starts at 9 a.m. each day with carnival rides from Brown's Amusements opening at noon. Call (480) 982-3141 for vendor and sponsor package details. Visit festivalofthesuperstitions.com for more information.
By Betty Swanson
