The 7th Annual Arizona Taco Festival is set to bring another year of fiesta fun with more than 50 teams competing for $10,000 in cash, while an expected 30,000 attendees nosh their way through more than 100 types of tacos throughout the weekend.
Arizona Taco Festival, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 15 and 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., earned its star status as an event that offers $2 tacos in chicken, pork, beef, seafood, veggie, dessert and anything-goes varieties.
Salsa, guacamole and other Mexican fare also are celebrated and devoured at the event each year.
Last year, restaurants, caterers, amateurs and nightclub/food spots sold more than 100,000 tacos at this now annual classic.
“Once again, Salt River Fields is proud to host Arizona Taco Festival,” said David Dunne, general manager, Salt River Fields. “We’re always enthusiastic about it because it’s a major crowd-pleaser, and the largest taco event in the country. 2016 marks its seventh great year, and we’re happy to say it’s on our calendar for at least another three years, which indicates the strong tradition Arizona Taco Festival has become. Plus, we’re nearing completion of improvements to our event site, so we are ready.”
In fact, completion of event site improvements on the west side of the Salt River Fields complex will feature more than 15 acres of lush, green grass for patrons to enjoy. Improved restrooms, fencing and other amenities are underway to deliver the best experience at an outdoor venue. The capital improvement plan also allows for events like Arizona Taco Festival to grow and accommodate increased attendance.
The festival humbly began on a dirt lot in the heart of downtown Scottsdale and has since moved to the multi-acre grass field at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Arizona Taco Festival is believed to be the world’s first taco festival and the fastest growing culinary event in the state.
Arizona Taco Festival is a fabulous foodie event and simultaneously a serious taco competition. More than 50 National Taco Association judges are sequestered to determine winners in double-blind tests in a closed tent for anonymous scoring. Points are awarded and weighted for presentation, taste and texture. Cumulatively, scores lead to an overall Grand Champion as well as $1,000 prize checks presented both days.
Outside the judge’s tent, this exciting festival features live Lucha Libre wrestling, a now-legendary Tequila Expo featuring more than 30 brands and live ‘surf’ and ‘salsa’ bands on the Main Stage. Contests for prettiest Chihuahua, hot chile-pepper-eating and taco-eating round out the fun. In addition, a super Kids Zone sponsored by Nationwide Insurance keeps children active and happy throughout the day.
The event features:
Tequila Expo Tent, Sat., Oct. 15: The popular Tequila Expo offers patrons the chance to sample from more than 100 tequilas. A tasting pass is $20 for 10 samples of fine tequila.
Ay Chihuahua! Beauty Pageant, Sun. Oct. 16: Sunday at 2pm, watch more than 15 sassy Chihuahuas – yes, of the canine variety — strut their four-legged stuff across the Main Stage.
Live Lucha Libre Wrestling: Enjoy live Lucha Libre wrestling all weekend long from comfortable seating around the ring. Also, get a change to meet the wrestlers themselves during the meet-and-greet.
General admission tickets are $12 online, $15 at the gate; kids 12 and under are free. General admission two-day passes are $20 online. VIP tickets are $100 and include limited drinks from the VIP bar, taco tokens and private restroom facilities. Parking is free.
