MILEPOSTS

EVENTS Herb Festival

May 1; near Superior The Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a showcase for 1,500 different desert plants and the site of a historic mountain topped by a heliograph station during the Indian wars, celebrates herbs with this fifth-annual festival. Your hosts invite you to select special herbs to add to your garden or to learn how to start one with tips from the experts. Be sure to allow plenty of time to tour the arboretum (don't miss the weird boojum trees or the easy-climb-ing hiking trail), and check out the picnic tables beneath trees in which a variety of feathered friends provide free concerts of birdsong. The festival runs from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.; festival admission is free with arboretum admission: $2 to $5, general; free, under five. Information: (520) 689-2811.

Sizzlin' Salsa Sunday

May 2; Cottonwood Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a few days early in the streets of Old Town Cottonwood, a jump-ing-off point for such nearby attractions as Jerome and the ancient ruin of Tuzigoot. This year's celebration lets you sample the salsas it's named for while tapping your toes to the sounds of mariachi bands and ballet folklorico performances. Hours are 1 to 9 P.M. There's a $1 tasting charge, but admission to the event's free, so plan to spend your big bucks at the arts and crafts displays and the booths offering a wide variety of Mexican food. Information: (520) 634-9468.

Verde Valley Fair

May 5-9; Cottonwood Kick up your heels at this annual fair where you'll find everything from bull-riding to a petting zoo, plus carnival rides and games. You will be treated to a professional art show and arts and crafts displays, and there will be plenty of food. Since spring is such a beautiful time in the Verde Valley, make it a weekend, go for a hike, or make the short trip to Camp Verde and visit Fort Verde State Park. The Verde Valley fairgrounds is located at 800 E. Cherry; call for more information, including hours. Admission is $3 to $5. Information: (520) 634-3290.May 8-9; Flagstaff

Spring Youth Arts Celebration

Celebrate creative youth of the Colorado Plateau while en-joying art, music, dance, the-ater, and storytelling. Student artists of many races and cul-tures represent a variety of dif-ferent ethnicities, tribes, and religions. Each artistic presen-tation embodies the special cul-tural influence of the students' heritage. This event kicks off the 1999 Heritage Program at the Museum of Northern Ari-zona, which offers various Na-tive American festivals and marketplaces throughout the summer. The museum is lo-cated north of Flagstaff on U.S. Route 180 at 3101 N. Fort Val-ley Road. Admission is $2 to $5; hours are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Information: (520) 774-5213.May 17; Rock Springs

Sweet Onion Festival

Enjoy live blue-grass and country-western music while sampling sweet onion dishes, including the Outback Restaurant's famous Bloomin' Onion. Pick up field-fresh Grand Canyon sweet onions, seeds, gardening tips, and more, plus check out the craft displays and children's activities. The festival is held at the Rock Springs Cafe (30 miles north of Phoenix on

Photo Workshops DISCOVER THE GRANDEUR OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU

Join the Friends of Arizona Highways and photographer Michael Fatali October 3-8 on a Photo Workshop exploring the burnished red rock canyons and jagged limestone ridges that form the heart of the Colorado Plateau. Wander through a sandstone wilderness where groves of aspens provide a golden accent against the evergreens. Plus see the domes and temples of Zion National Park, the delicately weathered peaks and spires of Bryce Canyon, and the panorama along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. David Smith continues the adventure October 9-14 with a workshop that includes reflections of Lake Powell, luminous slot canyons, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the sculptured rock formations of Sedona.

For information about these trips and a schedule of Photo Workshops, contact the Friends of Arizona Highways, P.O. Box 6106, Phoenix, AZ 85005-6106; (602) 271-5904.

Here are Photo Workshop dates through June:

Hours are 9

A.M. to 4 P.M. Admission is free

with a non-perishable food donation or ticket from an Arizona Grown Sweet Onion bag; otherwise it's $2 per car. Information: (602) 470-1556, ext. 1006.

Peach Festival

May 22-23, 29-31; June 5-6;

Queen Creek

It's going to be just peachy at Schnepf Farms, and peach lovers can enjoy an old-fashioned hayride out into the orchards where peach-picking is the name of the game. After the work's over, head up to the park for miniature train rides and all-day musical entertainment, and sample all the goodies, like peach salsa, peach ice cream, and peach pie. A pancake breakfast (with fresh peaches) will begin the festivities each day. Hours are 7:30 A.M. to 2 P.M. There's a big parade May 22. Call for admission charges. Information: (602) 987-3333.

Western Art Show and Sale

May 29-31; Prescott The Phippen Museum's Sil-ver Anniversary Western Art Show will take place at down-town's nostalgic Courthouse Plaza. Museum Director Sue Willoughby says, "Artists from across the nation will partic-ipate in this highly publicized juried show." Enjoy a private artists' reception and the pop-ular Quick Draw and Auc-tion. Awards will be given in various categories. Admission is free.

On Saturday night, as part of the Silver Anniversary fes-tivities, the museum will host a show and sale at which all award-winners from the pre-vious 24 shows will be in-vited to exhibit and sell a miniature piece of art. Tick-ets are $35 per person and include a gala cocktail party. For more information, call (520) 778-1385.