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Chipotle's 2016 Cultivate festivals set for Phoenix, Kansas City, Miami

In addition to live music and on-site chef demonstrations, each Cultivate event will include five interactive experiences focused on sustainable food.

March 9, 2016

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced the preliminary lineup for its 2016 Cultivate food, music and ideas festivals, with events returning to Phoenix and Kansas City for a second year, and one debuting in Miami.

This year marks the sixth year of the Cultivate Festival, which encourages attendees to think and talk about food and food issues in a fun and engaging environment.

• Cultivate Phoenix is Saturday, April 30, at WestWorld of Scottsdale
• Cultivate Kansas City is Saturday, July 23, in Penn Valley Park
• And Cultivate Miami is Saturday, Nov. 12, in Bayfront Park.

All festivals start at 11 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. Admission is free, according to a company press release.

"We are changing the way people think about and eat fast food, and that includes helping people understand how food is raised and prepared," said Mark Crumpacker, chief creative and development officer at Chipotle. "The Cultivate events allow us to bring people together for a celebration of food and music, but also to educate them about how food can be raised responsibly and prepared safely."

In addition to live music and on-site chef demonstrations, each Cultivate event will include five interactive experiences focused on sustainable food, including activities that allow attendees to explore:

• The importance of animal welfare.
• Issues surrounding genetically modified foods, or GMOs.
• The secret to making Chipotle's famous guacamole
• The reality of processed foods
• And a Kids' Zone that will feature activities and snacks.

All three festivals will have an Artisans' Hall featuring local artisanal desserts for purchase and a Tasting Hall serving local specialty beers, wines and ciders. Each festival also will feature Cultivate Mexican Lager, a Mexican-style lager brewed exclusively for Cultivate through a collaboration among nationally acclaimed breweries Arizona Wilderness (Cultivate Phoenix), Boulevard Brewing (Cultivate Kansas City) and Cigar City Brewing (Cultivate Miami).

Chipotle has also partnered with IZZE to give customers a chance to win a trip for two to the 2016 Cultivate Festival of the winner's choice in Phoenix, Kansas City or Miami, according to the release.