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5 things you need to know about Saturday’s Taste of Arizona in Mesa

1. Taste of Arizona, an outdoor festival featuring more than 30 restaurants, food trucks, and other food and drink vendors, takes place 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday at Mesa Riverview Park (map). The event is a benefit for the Boy Scouts of America.

2. General admission is $6, with a $1 discount for Boy Scouts, military, police, and firefighters. Kids 11 and under get in free. Food or drink must be purchased separately. Parking is free.

3. Participants include Famous Dave’s, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, The Melting Pot, California Pizza Kitchen, Paletas Betty, Tom’s BBQ, Bobby-Q, Bosa Donuts, Gordon Biersch, Filibertos, and more.

4. A 21-and-over Beer Garden & Wine Tasting offers pints of beer or glasses of wine for $7 apiece, or three for $20. Includes a free commemorative glass.

5. Activities include chefs’ cooking demos, a BBQ competition, a Dutch oven cook-off, a kids zone, and live music from local country and Latino bands.

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