It's time for Tucson's whopper of a party, Tucson Meet Yourself, the hallmark of the season.
The huge folklife festival packs downtown around El Presidio Park with food, music, food, dancing, info booths and more food. Did we mention food? With about 50 authentic cultural food vendors with their unique aromas wafting in the air, the festival — affectionately called "Tucson Eat Yourself" — opens Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday.
Over the weekend about 100,000 of your closest friends will be strolling among the 60 or so community groups and exhibitors and the more than 500 folk artists, musicians, dancers and "tradition bearers."
It's a big party with a big purpose: It a “folklife” festival with a focus "on presenting artists and communities that carry on living traditions rooted in a group’s own definition of identity, artistry, and cultural significance," according to tucsonmeetyourself.org
To make the most of Tucson Meet Yourself, here are some handy hints.
- Want food? Head downtown for lunch Friday. The lines are shorter and the area less crowded.
- Leave Fido at home. The festival will be packed. Last year, we took our 11-pound dachshund on a leash and spent most of our time worrying that she would get stepped on or carrying her. Plus all those smells — well, you know.
- Check out the vendors before making a food choice. If you stop at the first one that appeals to you, your bound to see something else you want to try and you will be full.
We've linked a couple of stories from today's Caliente to give you more information.
Likewise, festival founder "Big" Jim Griffith writes a blog for the Star, "Our Storied Desert Land." We've linked his blogs about the festival and you can check out his 100-plus blogs at tucson.com/bigjim
