Taco Fest Kicks off this weekend!

Good morning, Scottsdale. You’re reading Scottsdale Scoop, your insider pass to what’s fun, fresh and worth checking out around town. Every issue features hand-picked events, local business spotlights and hidden gems that make our city great.

It's been a great week around town as October weather finally settles in and everyone starts getting outside to enjoy it. I've been spending extra time outdoors myself.

Covering a few fun weekend festivals, handmade chocolates, a scenic date spot and more around the city.

Let's dive in.

Taco Fest AZ is happening this weekend on Saturday October 17th and Sunday October 18th from 11:00am to 6:00pm at Salt River Fields. You can check out top chefs competing for gold on stage, margarita tastings and chef Beau MacMillan's 2nd annual bar brawl. Food Network's Aaron Sanchez will be there too! Kids 12 and under get in free, plus there's a family-friendly kids zone with rides and bounce houses. Figure I'd share if you're looking for a fun way to spend the weekend.

Here's another great event this weekend with the annual Scottsdale Fall Festival returning to the Scottsdale Civic Center at 3939 N Drinkwater Blvd on Saturday October 17th from 5 to 9 p.m. Admission is free and you'll find trick-or-treating, carnival games, live music, food trucks and a cocktail garden. Put it on your radar if you're looking for evening plans.

If you need a fun family event, Spook-Track-Ula is running at the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park through October. Tickets are $15 per person and get you spooky train rides, a haunted train walkthrough, carousel rides and family-friendly Halloween activities. Worth checking out with the kids this month.

Holla Brunch Girl is a fun Saturday day spot that just opened for a younger crowd in Old Town Scottsdale. The 21-and-over rooftop party features live DJs, mimosa towers and menu items like a watermelon feta handheld, açai bowls and espresso martini soft serve. It's a high-energy spot if you want to turn your Saturday morning into an all-day affair.

There’s a short window every fall when Scottsdale finally cools down and homeowners start noticing the little things around the house. The scuff in the hallway. The trim that’s been waiting for attention since summer.

When it was time to freshen up my own home, I called ACP Painting. Brothers and Army veterans Russ and Rob Byers have completed more than 9,000 projects since 2005 and earned 600+ Google reviews with a 4.9-star rating. They showed up on time, delivered flawless results and made the whole process easy.

If there’s a room you’ve been meaning to refresh, fall is the perfect time to get it done.

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I recently found Zak's Chocolate and I've been impressed by what they're doing. They're crafting small batch bonbons and caramels using their unique Zak's Blend 69% dark chocolate that's smooth without being bitter.

Shout out to them for making a chocolate businesses work locally! They use fresh local Dazeisen Dairy cream in most of their treats and they don't use corn syrup or artificial emulsifiers. Almost all of their bonbons and caramels are gluten free. They recommend storing everything in a cool and dry place.

Check them out if you have a sweet tooth.

If you're looking for a date spot with incredible views, I always recommend Thirsty Camel at The Phoenician. The vibe is relaxed and you get panoramic views of the resort and valley beyond while you unwind.

They feature a menu focused on agave with exceptional tequilas, premium spirits and handcrafted cocktails rooted in Southwest flavors. You don't need a reservation since they operate on a walk-in basis with the bar open daily from 2 p.m. to midnight and food available until 11 p.m.

Wednesday, October 14

🎸 Killer Queen - A Tribute To Queen ft Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury

Thursday, October 15

🎨 6th Annual Women's Art Exhibition | The Marshall Gallery | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM (multiple days)

🎬 Underneath the Glittery Moon Film Premiere and Reception | 7:00 PM

🎨 Collecting John Wayne | 6:00 PM

Friday, October 16

🎸 Britain's Finest - Tribute to the Beatles | The Showroom | 7:30 PM (multiple days)

🍽️ Taste of Australia | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Saturday, October 17

🌮 AZ Taco Fest | Salt River Fields | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (multiple days)

🎸 Fall Concert Series | Scottsdale Quarter | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 18

🏊 Foreigner: Celebrating 50 Years at Talking Stick Resort | Talking Stick Resort Pool | 8:00 PM

🎬 1990s: Still in the Saddle Film Series | 2:00 PM

For a full list of events check out our Scottsdale Event Calendar here.

Featuring the most expensive home sold in Scottsdale this week at $6.1M! The multiple courtyards and kitchen/outdoor transition make this one standout.

Here’s the link if you want to check it out.