Arizona Taco Festival October 20th & 21st

 Who ever knew that a taco could be so diverse?

David Tyda, a founder of the Arizona Taco Festival, explains that a taco is the ideal competition food. There are bar tacos, hole-in-the-wall taqueria tacos, taco cart concoctions, taco Tuesday specials, and upscale sit-down restaurant tacos.  At the taco festival at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on Saturday, Oct. 20 and Sunday, Oct. 21, about 50 taco-making teams will compete to impress the judges and you.  Every kind of taco and taco ingredients imaginable will be present in four different categories; Chicken, Pork, Beef, and Seafood.

The Arizona Taco Festival puts a humorous spin on an already fun Hispanic culture. The event turnout has reached 10,000 people during past festivals, and in 2012 will most likely surpass that attendance number.  Not only is the festival one of the major taco festivals in the United States, but its Southwestern location and great weather is sure to bring an eclectic range of people from near and far to experience our taco culture.  

David Tyda says that aside from the flavorful food will be Lucha Libre wrestling matches, go kart track rides, entertaining live music, mariachis, a Hot Chile Pepper Eating Contest for the tough of tongue and belly, and a chance to dress up your Chihuahua for the Ay Chihuahua beauty contest.

Tyda says that those festival goers wearing a sombrero will receive discounted admissions. If all that wasn’t enough, other exciting offerings for festival fans include a Tequila Expo, a flair bartending competition, and cooking demonstrations.

Qué más quieres: tacos, tequila, música, cultura, and sombreros — this event is sure to be a hit with your friends and family.

WHEN: Saturday and Sunday Oct. 20 & 21; 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale

ADMISSION: Single day, adult general admission is $12; $20 for a weekend pass

FOR MORE INFORMATION: aztacofestival.com