42nd Annual Blackberry Festival – Mortimer Farms, Dewey, Arizona

August in the high country of central Arizona brings a celebration that has become synonymous with summer’s peak harvest season and the natural beauty of the Bradshaw Mountains. The 42nd Annual Blackberry Festival at Mortimer Farms transforms this working agricultural operation into a vibrant showcase of Arizona’s agricultural diversity and the remarkable story of successful high-altitude farming. Located in the charming community of Dewey, approximately 30 minutes from Prescott and nestled in terrain that stays significantly cooler than the desert floor, this festival represents a unique opportunity to experience authentic farm-to-table culture while celebrating one of nature’s most beloved fruits during its prime harvest season.

Mortimer Farms has cultivated a reputation as one of Arizona’s premier agritourism destinations, and the annual Blackberry Festival serves as the crown jewel of their seasonal programming. What sets this celebration apart from typical agricultural festivals is its integration of environmental education, sustainable farming practices, and hands-on experiences that connect visitors directly to the source of their food. The festival occurs during peak blackberry season when the farm’s extensive berry fields are heavy with ripe fruit, creating a stunning visual backdrop of purple-laden vines that stretch across the property’s 80+ acres of public accessible area. This timing ensures that visitors experience the blackberry at its absolute peak, both in terms of flavor and the natural beauty of the harvest season.

The festival’s educational component distinguishes it from purely entertainment-focused events, offering visitors comprehensive insights into the complex relationship between farmers, pollinators, and the environment that makes abundant harvests possible. Guided tours through the blackberry fields reveal the intricate processes involved in sustainable agriculture, from soil preparation and irrigation management to the crucial role of beneficial insects in ensuring successful fruit production. Children and adults alike gain appreciation for the hard work and scientific knowledge required for successful farming, while witnessing firsthand the harmony between agricultural practices and environmental stewardship that defines modern sustainable agriculture.

Beyond the educational opportunities, the festival offers extensive entertainment and activities designed to create lasting family memories. The farm’s existing attractions, including the Farm Park and Animal Encounter experiences, remain fully operational during the festival, providing visitors with opportunities to interact with farm animals and explore the property’s diverse agricultural operations. Pick-your-own experiences allow families to harvest their own blackberries, creating connections between food production and consumption that urban visitors rarely experience. The festival’s emphasis on authentic farm experiences, rather than artificial entertainment, appeals to families seeking meaningful activities that combine education with recreation.

📅 Event Details:

• Dates: August 16-17, 2025 (Weekend celebration)

• Time: Daily operating hours with extended festival programming

• Location: Mortimer Farms, Dewey, Arizona (approximately 30 minutes from Prescott)

🎫 Admission & Pricing:

• Single admission rate includes most farm activities

• Online ticket purchase recommended 24 hours in advance

• No refunds issued (bounce-back passes may be offered for weather-related cancellations)

• Special group rates available for families

📞 Contact Information:

• Farm: Mortimer Farms

• Website: www.mortimerfarmsaz.com/BlackberryFestival

• Phone: Available through website contact form

• Location: Dewey, Arizona (specific address available on website)

🚗 Transportation & Accessibility:

• 30 minutes from Prescott airport

• 1 hour from Phoenix airport

• Ample parking on farm property

• Dewey typically 20+ degrees cooler than Phoenix temperatures

• Property designed for accessibility across 80+ acres

🍓 Festival Highlights:

• Peak season blackberry picking in extensive berry fields

• Educational tours highlighting sustainable farming and pollinator relationships

• Farm Park and Animal Encounter experiences

• Pick-your-own seasonal produce experiences

• Farm-to-table food offerings featuring fresh blackberries

• Environmental education programming

• Photography opportunities in scenic berry fields

• Seasonal entertainment and activities

🚫 Festival Policies:

• No outside food or drink permitted (food safety regulations)

• No smoking anywhere on property

• Farm-fresh food and beverages available for purchase

• Capacity limits rarely reached due to extensive acreage

The festival’s location in Dewey provides significant advantages for summer events, with temperatures consistently running 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix area, making August outdoor activities comfortable for families. The four-season climate of the high country creates ideal growing conditions for blackberries and other crops that struggle in lower elevation desert environments. This unique microclimate allows Mortimer Farms to offer agricultural experiences that would be impossible in Arizona’s more typical desert locations, providing visitors with a rare glimpse into the state’s agricultural diversity.

Sustainable agriculture practices showcased during the festival reflect growing consumer interest in environmentally responsible food production. The farm’s commitment to working with natural pollinator populations and minimizing chemical inputs demonstrates how modern agricultural operations can successfully balance productivity with environmental stewardship. These practices result in superior fruit quality while maintaining the ecological balance necessary for long-term agricultural sustainability, lessons that resonate with increasingly environmentally conscious consumers.

The festival experience extends beyond the immediate entertainment value to create lasting educational impacts, particularly for children who may never have seen food growing in its natural environment. The opportunity to taste sun-ripened blackberries directly from the vine, witness the pollination process in action, and understand the seasonal rhythms that govern agricultural production provides invaluable lessons about food systems and environmental interconnectedness. These experiences often inspire families to make more conscious food choices and develop greater appreciation for agricultural workers and sustainable farming practices.

The economic impact of the Blackberry Festival extends throughout the Prescott area, bringing visitors who often extend their stays to explore the region’s other attractions. The combination of agricultural tourism, natural beauty, and comfortable summer temperatures makes this area increasingly popular with Phoenix-area residents seeking respite from desert heat while experiencing authentic Arizona agriculture. The festival’s success demonstrates the viability of agritourism as an economic development strategy for rural Arizona communities.

The 42nd Annual Blackberry Festival at Mortimer Farms offers a unique opportunity to experience Arizona agriculture at its finest while celebrating the peak of summer harvest season in one of the state’s most beautiful agricultural settings. This celebration combines education, entertainment, and environmental awareness in ways that create meaningful experiences for visitors of all ages. The festival’s commitment to authentic agricultural experiences, rather than artificial entertainment, provides families with rare opportunities to connect with the sources of their food while supporting sustainable farming practices that benefit both the environment and local communities. For visitors seeking genuine agricultural experiences in Arizona’s beautiful high country, this festival represents an ideal blend of education, entertainment, and natural beauty.