Second Round
Carefree’s Bourbon & Cigar Festival Returns
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photographer Tom Secor
The smoke has barely cleared from last spring’s triumphant debut, and already, the Carefree Bourbon & Cigar Festival is poised for an encore — this time bigger, earlier and with a Hawaiian twist.
Returning March 20–22 to Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge, the sophomore edition of Larry Foppe’s three-day celebration builds on a formula that proved irresistible in Year 1: premium spirits, world-class cigars, live entertainment, and the kind of relaxed desert sophistication that defines Carefree itself. But this year’s festival comes with meaningful expansion — more vendors, more space, and a new charitable partnership that brings the event’s impact closer to home.
“Before the end of our 2025 festival, every major sponsor said they were ‘in’ for next year — and that ‘you’re going to need a bigger lot,’” says Foppe, who owns the venue hosting the weekend festivities. “Well, this year we have that bigger lot and more vendors to match.”
That growth is substantial. The festival now features over 10 tasting booths showcasing local and national brands, an expanded selection of food options from area restaurants, and additional festival merchandise. Each guest receives tasting tickets to sample local craft beers, spirits, and wines alongside the premium cigar offerings from six vendors including Rocky Patel, Ashton, and My Father.
But Foppe is quick to clarify what sets this festival apart from typical industry gatherings.
“Most cigar festivals are half-day events with limited food options and no seating,” he explains. “The organizers want you to show up, buy cigars, and leave. We’ll have six cigar vendors at our festival, but that’s not our primary focus. We came up with the idea of hosting a true ‘festival’ — a celebration of the finer things in life: premium cigars, fine spirits, and great local food.”
That philosophy extends to the festival’s charitable component. This year, a portion of ticket proceeds benefits Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center, a nonprofit serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Carefree, Cave Creek and nearby communities.
“Events like the Carefree Bourbon and Cigar Festival help us connect with more people and raise awareness about how we support neighbors right here in the North Valley,” says Leigh Zydonik, executive director of Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center. “When local businesses like Sticks step up to support our work, it shows how much this community cares about helping others get the food and resources they need.”
The tangible impact of that support extends beyond awareness.
“Cash gifts let us maximize our bulk purchasing power so we can keep our shelves stocked with fresh produce and essential shelf-stable items when we need them,” Zydonik explains. “This stretches our budget when demand is high, and it helps us maintain programs like weekend snack packs for students. Every dollar raised provides a meal for someone struggling.”
For those seeking the ultimate festival experience, the Friday night VIP kickoff takes a decidedly tropical turn this year. This year’s theme, “Luau in the Desert,” features a Hawaiian buffet paired with Rocky Patel cigars and WhistlePig rye whiskeys, complete with hula dancers, fire dancers and music by Sinatra tribute artist the G-Man.
“Our guests will enjoy three Rocky Patel cigars and three WhistlePig rye cocktails throughout the evening,” Foppe says. “Representatives from both Rocky Patel and WhistlePig will share their brand stories over dinner, and then it’s time to dance!”
The date shift from April to mid-March serves a dual purpose — avoiding conflicts with Easter and Arizona Bike Week while capturing ideal outdoor weather for the festival’s main events, which run Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
“We encourage our guests to sit down, relax and meet interesting people,” Foppe says. “Just like our shop, we view the festival as a social club where interesting people come together to connect with one another.”
It’s that intersection of premium experience and genuine community connection — wrapped in the aroma of fine tobacco and the warmth of early spring in the desert — that positions this festival as something more enduring than a weekend event. It’s becoming a signature marker on Carefree’s social calendar.
carefreebourbon-cigarfestival.com
Carefree Bourbon & Cigar Festival
March 20–22 // Friday 6 p.m. (VIP Luau Dinner, $175), Saturday-Sunday 12–9 p.m. // Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge // 37555 N. Hum Road, Carefree // $40+ // carefreebourbon-cigarfestival.com