Desert Awareness Committee to host Prickly Pear Fest

Cave Creek, Arizona – The Desert Awareness Committee (DAC) will hold its annual Prickly Pear Fest on the beautiful patio of the Holland Center in Scottsdale on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM. The Holland Community Center is located at 34250 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85266.

“DAC members delight in bringing the Prickly Pear Fest to the Cave Creek community,” says Brenda Olive, DAC volunteer marketing coordinator. “The prickly pear cactus is one of the most nutritional plants in the Sonoran Desert. Not only can you eat the cactus pad and the lush fruit, but there are also many ways to prepare them. Our annual Prickly Pear Fest features demonstrations on how to prepare these foods as well as presentations about the plant’s nutritional benefits. We enjoy making tastings for our guests to sample from recipes in Our Tastes of the Desertrecipe book, which is available for purchase. This Fest brings so many desert lovers together and our volunteers are excited to be a part of this community event.”

Olice says people love learning how to harvest ‘tunas’ (prickly pear fruit) and process them for recipes,” says Olive. “This event features demonstration stations with volunteers who will explain how to harvest, clean and prepare the tunas. Guests will also discover how to make Prickly Pear Smoothies and can try them as well. The fun event also includes the DAC’s new recipe book, demonstrations and mini seminars.”

“A favorite for most people is the food recipes we create from our recipe book, “adds Olive. “The recipes can be found in DAC’s ‘Our Tastes of the Desert’ cookbook, which will be available for purchase during the festival. People love connecting with the beautiful Sonoran Desert and learning to appreciate the bounty and flavor of desert plants.”

The Holland Center, which is located at 34250 N. 60th Street in Scottsdale, Ariz., is home to the Desert Awareness Committee, which is part of the Foothills Community Foundation.