The Tucson Tamal and Heritage Competition returns to On line casino del Sol for the 18th 12 months.
It can happen within the AVA Amphitheater, 5655 W. Valencia Rd., on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to five p.m.
The unique concept got here from a brainstorming session on how one can carry extra individuals to the property for occasions and neighborhood, stated On line casino del Sol’s director of selling Jessica Savare.
“We had been speaking about what we do throughout the holidays and one thing we do right here is we make tamales. It is one thing we do with our households,” Savare stated. “That is one thing that individuals are beginning to put together to do.”
The spotlight of the competition is the tamal contest. There will probably be 4 classes that will probably be judged by over 50 judges – conventional tamales, corn tamales, gourmand tamales and candy tamales.
The winner of one of the best tamal will obtain $750 in money whereas the locations for first, second and third will obtain prizes from $150 to $500 in money.
“One 12 months, somebody made a Sizzling Cheeto tamal within the gourmand class and we additionally had somebody make an Oreo tamal within the candy class,” Savare stated. “It is enjoyable to see individuals get artistic with what they put of their tamales. It is also one thing that takes a lot effort to make. And anybody over 18 can be part of. We have had households take part.”
Savare stated {that a} common query individuals ask is that if solely eating places or professionals submit tamales for the competitors and she or he stated that everybody is welcome so long as they’re an grownup.
The tamal contest begins at midday and the winners will probably be introduced at 4 p.m. Apart from tamales, there will probably be different meals on the market equivalent to churros, fry bread, tacos and extra from native distributors.
Artisans will probably be promoting their wares equivalent to work, beadwork and different artwork whereas objects equivalent to chiles and handmade soaps might be discovered within the farmer maket space. Individuals of all ages are welcome and the competition is free to attend.
“I am personally excited for some floor beef tacos,” Savare stated. “There’s going to be so many meals distributors and artisans. And you will get to talk with the distributors and study how lengthy it takes for them to make their issues.”
The competition may also embrace reside leisure equivalent to Aztec dancers, mariachis, Tejano performances, folklorico dance teams in addition to cultural dancers from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe.
“I am trying ahead to the folklorico dancers as a result of they at all times have the best costumes and there is dancers of all ages within the teams,” Savare stated.
Plus, youngsters may have the chance to go take photos with Santa Claus.