The weather is heating up and so are the outdoor events around Phoenix. Check out these events coming up in March:

25th Annual Blues Blast
10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, March 5
Margaret T. Hance Park
1202 N. 3rd St.
602-516-8870
Featuring several blues bands, music workshops, an art project for kids, food and merchandise vendors, and more. Admission is $30, kids 15 and younger 16 free when accompanied by an adult. Visit http://www.phoenixblues.org.

Annual Indian Fair & Market
March 5-6
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
602-252-8840
Featuring more than 600 of the nation’s top Native American artists, lively music and dance performances, book signings, artist demonstrations, a raffle of donated artwork, and more. Enjoy a variety of Native foods for purchase. Hours are 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. General admission tickets for ages 17 and older are $20. Visit http://www.heard.org/fair.

My Nana’s Salsa Challenge
10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 5-6
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Road
602-955-3947
A fundraiser for the Hemophilia Association. Featuring 90-plus competitors preparing fresh salsa on-site. Visitors can vote for their favorite entry. Enjoy margaritas, live bands, a food court, KidsZone, cornhole tournament, a maragarita mix-off, and more. General admission is $15 at the gate, children 12 and under are free. Find discount tickets at Fry’s grocery stores or online at www.salsachallenge.com.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Faire
10 a.m. Saturday, March 12
Margaret T. Hance Park
1202 N. 3rd St.
602-280-9221
The parade will feature Irish dancers, dignitaries, bagpipers, floats, the famous DeLorean cars, a Cardinals float with Grand Marshall Michael Bidwell, Big Red and cheerleaders, and more. The fair includes three stages of Irish rock, traditional and mixed music, dancers, a kids area, food, crafters and tours of the McClelland Irish Library. The parade and fair start at 10 a.m. Fair admission is $10 for adults, 13 and older, $8 for seniors and military, and free for children 12 and younger. The parade starts at 3rd and Sheridan streets and concludes at 3rd and Moreland streets. Visit www.phxirish.org.

McDowell Mountain Music Festival
March 11-13
Margaret T. Hance Park
1202 N. 3rd St.
The three-day festival celebrates its 13th year of combining music, arts, food, and charities. A diverse and pack lineup of performers makes this a can’t-miss event for true live music fanatics. A full lineup listing and tickets (single day or full festival) can be found at www.mmmf.com/line-up.

Phoenix Festival de España
12-5 p.m. March 19-20
Phoenix Center for the Arts
1202 N. 3rd St.
The event will feature live Flamenco performances, workshops for youth and adults, Spanish food, culinary demonstrations, presentations on Spanish culture, and more. Dance and music groups will perform throughout the day on the festival’s outdoor stage. The festival will also feature art exhibits, costumes, jewelry, and a beer and wine garden. Admission is free. For an updated list of performers, presenters, and workshops, visit www.phoenixcenterforthearts.org.

Arizona Scottish Highland Games
March 19-20
Steele Indian School Park
300 E. Indian School Road
602-431-0095
Presented by The Caledonian Society of Arizona featuring competitions, demonstrations, Highland dancers, ancient athletic events, children’s games, clan booths, food, artifact & clothing vendors, reenactment groups, massed pipes & drums, and more. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the gate for adults 13 and older; $15 for seniors and military; and $10 for children ages 6-12. Visit www.arizonascots.com.

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