Connoisseurs of tamales can begin preparing their taste buds and stomachs for a fill of the holiday food while organizers gear up for the second annual Casino del Sol Tucsón Tamal & Heritage Festival.
The tasty event kicks off Saturday at the Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater. Organizers say nonprofit organizations and commercial vendors who want to sell tamales need to preregister now.
The tamale contest categories are traditional, which is a tamale made of red chile with beef, pork or venison; traditional maíz (green corn), which is a tamale made of maize with green chile and cheese; and gourmet, which is a tamale stuffed with gourmet or sweet foods.
"Historically, food has been a tool to bring cultures and civilizations together," said Jose Merino, editor of La Estrella de Tucsón, which is presenting the event. "I hope the second annual tamal festival will do just that for our community."
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La Estrella is a weekly Spanish-language newspaper published by the Arizona Daily Star.
"We hope Tucsonans will embrace this event as their own and participate to help nonprofit organizations raise money," Merino said.
Last year more than 5,000 people attended the festival and within a couple of hours there were no more tamales for people to buy.
Organizers are working to get the word out to more schools, clubs, charities and youth athletic teams to make and sell tamales at the festival, Merino said.
This year it will be much easier for nonprofit groups to participate and sell tamales because of revisions in entry rules, said Wendell Long, interim chief executive officer for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's Gaming Enterprise Division.
Casino del Sol expects 7,000 people this year at the festival, which will include local Tejano bands Los Gallegos and Hermanos Cuatro, the Azteca del Sol mariachis and disc jockeys playing top-40 hits.
Traditional Yaqui and Tohono O'odham blessings will take place at the beginning of the event.
The play "Las Tamaleras" will be performed and children will be entertained with train rides and in a game area. An organization is volunteering to repair children's bicycles at no cost.
"We definitely look forward to hosting the tamal festival. We want families to come and celebrate Tucson's rich history, culture and traditions," Long said.
What: La Estrella de Tucsón presents the second annual Casino del Sol Tucson Tamal & Heritage Festival
When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater at 5655 W. Valencia Road
Registration: Forms are available now from Casino del Sol and La Estrella de Tucsón. Preregistration is preferred. Commercial food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and nonprofit groups can also register on-site Saturday from 6 to 9 a.m. at the amphitheater's west gate. Registration depends on space availability.
Cost: The festival is free and open to the public. Nonprofit groups and individuals raising money for a cause do not have to pay a fee to participate. Restaurants, commercial food vendors, and arts and crafts vendors selling their goods must pay a $150 fee.
Tamal contest: All groups selling tamales will participate in the contest. The categories are gourmet, green corn and traditional. Individuals not selling at the festival who want to participate in the contest must register and bring their entry to the event for judging by Tucson celebrities, chefs and restaurant owners. Monetary prizes will be awarded to organization winners and individual winners. First place is $500, second place is $250 and third place is $150.
Booth award: A $150 prize will be awarded to the best decorated booth.
Information: For event rules and registration, contact Theresa Meraz by phone at 838-6793, fax at 838-6660 or e-mail theresa_m@casinosun.com. You can find a registration form in La Estrella de Tucsón, online at laestrella.com or request a form by e-mailing laestrella@azstarnet.com. Preregistration forms must be mailed to Theresa Meraz at 5655 W. Valencia Road, Tucson, AZ 85757.
