Last updated on June 14th, 2024 at 09:20 am
Bashas’ Supermarkets is marking a milestone in its history this week as it celebrates 30 years as Camp Verde, Arizona’s, hometown grocer. The celebration will be a community affair as shoppers of the store at 650 Finnie Flat Road are treated to three days of activities that begin on the store’s official anniversary: today, Dec. 1.
The store is kicking off its festivities today with songs of the season as the town’s United Christian School delivers a medley of Christmas carols. On Friday, the children’s choir from the First Assembly of God church will sing Christmas carols. On Saturday, Camp Verde Mayor Charles German will give special remarks to celebrate the three-decade anniversary, after which shoppers will be invited to enjoy a free slice of cake.
The celebration also will feature dance performances by the Yavapai Apache Tribe; friendly visits from the Camp Verde Fire Department; a jazz dance presentation from a local youth dance group; a special flag ceremony by the Camp Verde Calvary; in-store product sampling; an outside barbecue with Villa Roma Sausage, where shoppers will have a chance to buy a brat and soda for $1.50; a car show in the parking lot; and an enter-to-win giveaway for four suite tickets to see the Northern Arizona Suns basketball team play at the Prescott Valley Event Center.
Greg Elmer has been the Bashas’ Camp Verde store director since it opened 30 years ago. He says his favorite part of working with the company is getting to know his customers well and building strong relationships in the community.
Fun 1986 ‘flashback facts’
When Bashas’ opened its Camp Verde store in 1986:
• The price of a stamp was 22 cents, and a gallon of gas cost 89 cents.
• The “Hands Across America” charity event was held.
• “The Oprah Winfrey Show” debuted nationally.
• “Top Gun” was the highest-grossing film of the year, making more than $8 million on opening weekend.
• The Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
• Mike Tyson won his first-ever boxing title to become the youngest heavyweight champion of the time.
• IBM unveiled the PC Convertible, the first laptop computer.
Food City’s annual Tamale Festival is Dec. 10 and 11
In related news, Bashas’ Food City will hold its 15th Annual Tamale Festival in downtown Phoenix on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 and 11.
The festival, free and open to the general public from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both days, celebrates the “Best Tamales in the Southwest” and brings together the state’s best tamale-makers to celebrate the holidays. The festival will be held at Cesar Chavez Plaza at 200 W. Washington Street.
Tamale-makers from local faith-based groups will prepare their tamales in church commissaries and then sell them at the festival to fundraise for their organizations. Last year, they sold more than 700 dozen tamales. Food City also will sell tamales, menudo, carne asada burritos, durros, aguas frescas and champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate).
At 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11, a panel of celebrity judges will name the “Best Tamale,” and Food City will recognize and reward the winning tamale maker.
Festival attendees will be able to taste and buy a selection of savory and sweet homemade tamales, as well as enjoy jewelry, arts and crafts and more. The event also will offer live mariachis, ballet folklorico dancers and other musical entertainment.
