For More Than 65 Years, This Small Town Has Hosted The Longest-Running Homecoming Festival In Arizona
By Melissa Mahoney|Published September 13, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and I love photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world! Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream.
There’s something so charming about small-town life. With a population of approximately 12,000 residents, Camp Verde is a bit of a small town and certainly has that small-town feel. It’s also home to the longest-running homecoming festival in Arizona. For over 65 years, Fort Verde Days has been an important event for the Camp Verde community. Let’s see what you can expect at this traditional event.
Located in Yavapai County, Camp Verde is situated along the Verde River. This is a town with a rich history and it was settled by pioneers during the 19th century. You can get a feel of its history by visiting Fort Verde State Historic Park, a living history museum.
Each year, for over 65 years now, Camp Verde has hosted its annual Fort Verde Days. This is the oldest homecoming festival in the state of Arizona and a fun community event for all! It honors the town's history and heritage during a weekend-long celebration.
Fort Verde Days is held annually during the second weekend of October on Saturday and Sunday. The event kicks off with a parade that nearly the entire town will come to watch.
In addition, numerous events will be held at Fort Verde State Historic Park over the course of the weekend. There will be food and craft vendor as well as entertainment, chili cook offs, and the Little Britches & Petticoat Contest.
It's free to enter both the chili cook off and the Little Britches & Petticoat Contest. Members of the community are also encouraged to register to be a part of the annual parade.
Have you ever attended Fort Verde Days, the longest-running homecoming festival in Arizona? Let us know! To learn more about Fort Verde Days, head to the Visit Camp Verde website and give the Visit Camp Verde Facebook page a follow for updates.
Up for a road trip? Whether it’s to Camp Verde for its annual Fort Verde Days event or elsewhere, Arizona has countless incredible road trip destinations. But before you hit the road, check out our road trip essentials packing list.
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