58
THE METROPOLITAN | THE EXTRAORDINAIRE | THE TOURIST | THE ARTIST | THE CRITIC | THE DINER | THE CRAFTMASTER | THE HIGHROLLER | THE GLADIATOR | THE YOUNGSTER | THE SHOWMAN | THE NIGHTOWL | THE THINKER
TACO
GET YOUR
From meager beginnings, the Arizona Taco Festival is bigger than ever Alison Bailin Batz » The Entertainer!
S
even years ago, the Arizona Taco Festival began as a humble taco tasting party on a dirt lot in the heart of downtown Scottsdale. Today, the 30,000-plus ticketed guest event—now hosted across several acres at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick—has grown to the largest taco festival in the United States, and one of the fastest-growing foodie events in Arizona. A general admission ticket provides access to 50 restaurants and food trucks, each dishing out $2 tacos and many also offering homemade salsas, guacamoles and a la carte desserts up for tasting as well. Event goers will also be able to indulge in specialty cocktails, custom margaritas and Micheladas. Among all the fun is a stage with live music, traditional Lucha Libra wrestling
WWW.ENTERTAINERMAG.COM
matches throughout the weekend and 50 National Taco Association judges, each conducting double-blind taco tastings to determine the top tacos in several categories, including overall grand champion. Both of 2015’s grand champions—Diego Pops and Creations by SERGIO—are back to defend their titles against an impressive list of competitors. “Guests will also be able to enjoy several side contests both days, including a Chihuahua beauty pageant, themed eating contests and even an expansive tequila expo on Saturday and margarita expo on Sunday,” says event co-founder David Tyda. More than 100 types of tequila will available during this Saturday-only tent, with guests able to purchase a 10-tasting wristband once inside the event for $20. Arizona’s top mixologists will take part in the new margarita expo. Like
with the tequila expo, guests will be able to purchase a 10-tasting wristband once inside the event for $20. “Visitors to this tent will vote on their favorite margaritas throughout the day, with one mixologist winning a trip to the famed ‘Tales of the Cocktail’ in New Orleans along with top honors, at the close of the event,” says Tyda, noting that each mixologist has been competing in weekly “Margarita Wars” leading up to the festival. “Participating mixology teams include the masterminds at Clever Koi, Jade Bar, Okra, Modern Margarita, Bitter & Twisted, The Ostrich and Crudo.” For those looking for an elevated festival experience, VIP tickets are available for $100 each day. A VIP ticket includes all of the main event fun, plus enough tokens for five adult beverages, one water or soda, and 10 tacos. They’ll have access to a VIP tent with shaded seating and private bathrooms. Of course, there is also a Postmates ordering station where you can send runners to fetch your tacos
ON
throughout the day. Have the kids for the weekend? Trouble getting a babysitter? Bring them along. In fact, this year kids 12 and younger are admitted for free. Nationwide is sponsoring a festive kids zone this year, which features several attractions for the kiddos, including a bungee trampoline, mechanical bull, hamster balls, orbitron, slides, bounce houses and more. Kids can also enjoy lemonade stands, ice cream vendors and shaved ice carts. Some of the attractions are available at an additional cost.
Arizona Taco Festival
Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale, aztacofestival. com, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, $12-$100.