We are giving you a sneak peek of what to expect at the 17th Annual Tamale Festival happening this weekend, hosted by Food City. Oh, and it's FREE!
We went to a Food City store to chat with Susy Ferra. She told us that Arizona's best tamale-makers will help you celebrate the holidays. There will be live mariachis, ballet folklorico dancers, and other musical entertainment along with enjoying vendor booths with jewelry, arts and crafts and much more.
Ferra filled us in that people can taste, and if you're interested in buying, the prices are preset. It's $2 for a single tamale or $18 for a dozen. There will be a wide selection, including savory and sweet homemade tamales.
We asked what specifically Food City is offering. Ferra told us they will be selling tamales, menudo, carne asada burritos, durros, aguas frescas and champurrado (Mexican hot chocolate).
There will also be a taste test, done by a panel of local celebrities to name the "Best Tamale" at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Food City is awarding the following prizes. First place gets a dining room set, second place gets a new washer and dryer and third place gets a $250 gift card to Food City.
WHEN:
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHO MAKES THE TAMALES:
Tamale-makers from local faith-based groups prepare their tamales in church commissaries and then sell them at the Festival to fundraise for their organization. Last year, they sold more than 700 dozen tamales!
IF YOU GO:
Cesar Chavez Plaza, 200 W. Washington Street, Phoenix
(on Washington, between 1st Ave. and 4th Ave. in downtown Phoenix)