Event promoters: Two days of Peace, Love & Tacos
Phoenix pop-up taco event June 14 at MercBar
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
The Arizona Taco Festival, is bringing its flare and fiesta to the East Valley.
The Valley of the Sun’s premiere taco experience is set to return on Saturday, Nov. 12 and 13 at a new location — Bell Bank Park in Mesa with celebrity Chef Aaron May as a special guest and event host.
Chef May, known for his regular appearances on the Food Network, Guy’s Grocery Games as well as producing the largest annual Official NFL Tailgate event each year at the Big Game, according to a press release. Chef May is inviting his taco brethren from the world of sports, TV, food and film to this year’s Taco Festival, event promoters report.
The Arizona Taco Festival includes its renowned taco-teers, competing for the title of “Top Taco” with prize money and bragging rights on the line. In addition to the delicious eats and drinks, festival goers will experience an updated version of the “Tequila Expo,” now becoming a “Tequila Passport” allowing all guests to sample over 100 top-shelf agaves.
But wait, there’s more: Lucha Libre Wrestlers, the one & only Ay Chihuahua Beauty Pageant, and Hot Chili Pepper & Taco eating contests are back too, as well as, the new Taco Queen Drag Contest, Hot Sauce Expo, bands, DJ’s, Mariachis and a Day of the Dead Wedding is planned.
“I’m going to make this year’s taco fest into a full Taco-Palooza of epic proportions. I might even get in the wrestling ring with the Luchas!” Chef May said in a prepared statement.
Pop-up event at MercBar
To celebrate the kick-off of the festival, a Pop-Up Taco event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at MercBar, 2525 Camelback Road in Phoenix, Tuesday, June 14. The event features chefs Aaron May, Todd English and Antonia Lofaso, who will be making special appearances serving up a variety of tacos, and margaritas for guests.
The Arizona Taco Festival will transform Bell Bank Park into a Taco-Topia! Gates will open at 11 a.m. and the fun will run until 6 p.m. Early bird tickets are now available online for $15 here.
