Tips for Planning a Sunset Picnic featuring Local Products
There’s no doubt Phoenix has summer dialed all the way up. But the good news is once the sun goes down, the nighttime is a beautiful time to get together outside without worry of sun damage or triple-degree weather. Whether taking a road trip up north for cooler climes, heading out to one of Arizona’s popular lakes, or simply going to the neighborhood park (equipped with plenty of ice cold water and maybe even a handheld mister fan), a summertime picnic is perfectly plausible – even in the Valley. Sphinx Date Co., experts in local artisan products, suggests the following tips for a sunset summertime picnic.
Time it Right — While it’s not uncommon for temperatures to rise up to 110 and higher this time of year, check the weather and plan the evening event for a “cooler” day (well, relatively!), after which the sunset temperatures could dip into the low 90s or even high 80s! While looking for a “cooling trend,” keep an eye out for monsoon activity. As the summer months drag on, brewing monsoon storms can quickly swoop with heavy winds and rains — two big picnic busters!
Location, Location, Location — Arizona is rife with gorgeous urban parks, mountain trails and more that can serve as secluded picnic spots with a beautiful sunset view! Do a little research to ensure parks or trails are open in the evenings (some gated off hiking trails close at sunset, for example). Or chose a lakeside spot to enjoy the meal as the sun sets over the water.
Prep in Advance — Making a picnic meal can be, and should be, easy! With a simple charcuterie board “menu,” picnickers can enjoy a delicious meal made up of local ingredients. To prepare a charcuterie dinner, slice and roll a variety of meats (ham, salami, and any other favorites) and cut a selection of hard cheeses (keep soft cheeses in a small portable container to open prior to eating). Then add in (individually packaged) favorite such nuts (Sphinx carries a wide variety of delicious ones including Arizona grown pistachios!) and seeds, olives or tapenade, hummus, jams (like fig or apricot jam or prickly pear jelly from Cotton Country Jams) and more. A fresh loaf of French bread is a perfect way to round out this easy yet elegant meal.
To complement each bite, Sphinx also has a selection of Arizona wines and beers to choose from including varietals from Dos Cabezas, Arizona Stronghold Vineyard and Caduceus Cellars (just to name a few!). Sphinx chocolate-covered dates, hand-dipped by local chocolatier Cerreta Candy Co., make a great after-dinner nosh, and Sphinx carries a selection of other sweet nibbles from locals like The Simple Farm, GoodyTwos, Kettle Heroes and Tracy Dempsey Originals.
Pack the Basics — Don’t forget to pack utensils like spreaders, forks and knives, wine glasses and/or beer pints (bonus points for pre-chilling them in a cooler). Be prepared with a large blanket or easy pop-up chairs and a little folding table, and a garbage bag. As with camping, it’s important to load out everything that was loaded in to keep local parks and trails clean and beautiful.