Here  it is again, a shrimp festival in the desert. However, this thing is gaining popularity like you wouldn’t believe. I had the pleasure of visiting last year and it was fun. Beer tents, a mini fair full of kids rides, and some very entertaining events. Instead of giving you the same, hoorah its awesome!, we were graciously contacted by the coordinator of the event. The following is her take on the Desert Shrimp Festival. If you don’t want to attend after reading this, there is a problem.”

Editorial Contact: Christina Hubbard, coordinator
Gila Bend Chamber of Commerce
Email: chris.gbcc@hotmail.com
Ph: 928.420.1964

GILA BEND, Ariz. — Gila Bend’s 9th Annual Desert Shrimp Festival will be held Saturday Nov. 5th and Sunday Nov. 6th in the town’s Community Center Park. In celebration of the three large solar projects currently under construction in Gila Bend the festival will be partially solar powered. Each year the festival draws attendees from around the state who enjoy competing in the popular Shrimp Eating Contests, eating delicious food, dancing to live music and relaxing in a fun, family atmosphere.

As the Festival theme suggests, fresh shrimp are prepared in a variety of delectable dishes and available for purchase in the renowned Shrimp Alley. This year, in cooperation with Gila Bend’s Sister City in Rocky Point, Mexico, shrimp will be imported from the Gulf of California. Freshly made menu items include the ever popular coconut shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp scampi, Sonoran shrimp cocktails, fish tacos and more.

Two bands will entertain attendees with live music all day Saturday and the Beer Garden will be open all weekend. Children’s activities include a carnival, a Kid Zone and fun free contests. Additional food booths, including vendors selling a wide variety of gifts, jewelry and other items, will be on site.

Motorcycle enthusiasts and motorcycle organizations are encouraged to make the Gila Bend Desert Shrimp Festival an easy weekend ride or to test their bikes before the big Rocky Point Rally the following weekend.

Gila Bend has garnered the nickname of “The Solar Capital of Arizona” because it is one of the state’s primary destinations for solar power projects due to the area’s abundant sunshine and available acreage. Gila Bend is home to the Solana project and upon completion will be one of the world’s largest solar plants. Arizona Public Service (APS), which is building one of the solar plants, will provide a portion of the event’s electrical needs using a solar-powered generator.

Various local and state organizations, including APS, the Arizona Solar Center Arizona Solar Energy Association, SolarReserve, Solon Corporation, Homeland Security, National Parks, wildlife and other organizations will be present to provide information.

There is a minimal entry fee of $3 into the Shrimp Fest and proceeds benefit local youth and scholarship programs and charities. Festival hours are from 10am-10 pm Saturday and 10am-6 pm Sunday.

See, don’t you want to go? Honestly its a good time and worth the drive and the money, and the shrimp are fantastic. Here are some directions and a Map…

Gila Bend is located southwest of Phoenix at the cross-roads to San Diego and Tucson on Interstate 8 and to Mexico and Rocky Point in Mexico on Interstate 85. Information on the town can be found at www.gilabendaz.org.

Like many other parents out there, finding meaningful entertainment for my 3 and 5 year old boys, is tricky. ALAS! To the rescue — The Phoenix Children’s museum. Frankly it is the perfect place! Well, minus that little thing we call money, and if you have more than 2 kids can get a little high. There are however many ways to get discounted or free tickets! Just use your Google finger.

We arrived around 9:30 which turned out be darn lucky because not 30 minutes into our visit we heard the parking lot was full. Just as most parents and ALL children we hate standing in line, so the delight was overwhelming when check in was super easy. The relief you felt of not having to say no 10 times, or sorry to the other line standers 20 times is catapulted when you wander in and you hit the 3 story tree house first thing. Officially called The Schuff-Perini Climber. Kids go running, you find a seat, and chill in admiration of..well..yourself. Go ahead pat yourself on the back, every other parent is!

The great part of the Phoenix Children’s Museum, as my wife would innocently mention, is that adults can fit inside this massive 3 story tree house and take little one’s up. (this theory is up for debate). Worried about a stroller…NOPE, there is plenty of area for strollers and sitting. Lastly, and remember you are still in the entrance, they have this awesome Vacuum contraption that you can put a scarf next too and it sucks it in and fires it out the other end. Why you are probably wondering? I don’t know either, but awesome none the less.

Move on to the second floor and get to a huge craft room that allows kids to create, draw and cut. If that’s not enough the magnificence of the second floor is compounded with a bike track and a room to build forts…. Yes, Dads are allowed! It’s really the perfect place, where everyone has kids talking loudly and running around, and I really felt like my kids could just be themselves!

Despite all that fun and excitement, the end brought the most excitement. First was a foam room where kids can run and play in thousands of hanging foam noodles. Every single child loved that! Then the ‘obvious favorite’ as my wife put it, which is also debatable, is the super market! Yep…mini shopping carts, mini isles and mini check out stands. (No the people checking out were not mini). That supermarket was packed with kids just waiting for a shopping cart, who would have thought, domesticated at 5 years old.

Overall The Phoenix Children’s Museum is a place we will be going back to! The one UN-kid-friendly thing is have snacks on the first floor in the Café room. I love snacks, you love snacks, everyone loves snacks, snacks should not be discriminated on and trapped on the first floor only. How un-kid-friendly is it to thwart the magic of snacking and sippy cups!

Regardless of that little hiccup, the Phoenix Children’s Museum is a must do event. Hours of fun, some learning and mostly a great bonding session for the family.

The Phoenix Children’s Museum

P.S. The line for the elevator is crazy! So, don’t take your stroller unless you absolutely have to!