Unwrapping fun: Tamale Festival set for downtown Phoenix
Dec 6, 2018, 4:54 AM
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX – Cooks from all around the state will show off what they can do with a traditional Mexican dish of steamed dough and filling at the Tamale Festival this weekend in Phoenix.
Grocery chain Food City said the 17th annual celebration will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Plaza on Washington Street between First and Fourth avenues. Sunday hours at the site were scheduled from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
During the final day, a panel will taste-test the entries and choose a winner.
Admittance to the event is free.
Tamales are a Christmas staple in the Southwest and often families band together to make them.
Festivalgoers will see folklorico dance performances and the goods on sale from vendors and hear mariachi bands.
Tamales won’t be the only treat on the menu: carne asada burritos, menudo and Mexican hot chocolate will also be available.
Sales from the tamales, made by local faith-based groups, will go towards their organizations.
The groups sold more than 700 dozen tamales at last year’s holiday party, a Food City representative said.