Colleen McKnight
Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch members are getting ready for the 17th annual gourd festival in Casa Grande on Feb. 7-9. This festival is the largest gourd festival in the United States, and it happens right in our back yard!
The festival happens at the Pinal County Fairgrounds and includes 70 classes, 100+ vendor booths, and the Arizona Gourd Society annual competition. There will also be music, food, and fun for everyone.
Many of our members will enter their gourd art in the competition. The American Gourd Society sets the rules for judging and it’s very comprehensive. There is also a People’s Choice Award to get the public’s opinion.
Our patch will also have a huge triple booth of fabulous gourds for sale. You will not believe the talent of our members until you see this booth. Stop by and say hi to some of your Sun Lakes neighbors.
Our patch is open to anyone who wants to create gourd art. We have 36 members from novice to grand masters. We hold open workshops twice a week and have a monthly meeting.
See more about our patch at SpiritDesertGourds.com or stop by and visit at a workshop or meeting. Workshops are held Sundays from 12:30 p.m.-3 p.m. and Mondays from 9 a.m.–12 noon in the Oakwood Arts and Crafts Painting Room. We meet the 3rd Thursday of the month in the SLCC Arts and Crafts Room from 4 p.m.–6 p.m.