The Tamal and Heritage Festival is celebrating 17 years of bringing people together in honor of the flavors and culture surrounding the remarkable creation that is the tamal.

Join the thousands that gather annually for this free community event-turned-Tucson tradition on Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. as vendors set up shop to help you explore the rich tastes, smells, and variations of tamales from the Southwest and Mexico.

The festival serves as an opportunity for participants to raise funds for their organizations, households, or communities.

It also sets the stage for the anticipated annual Tamal contest, hosting more than 50 Judges in four tamale categories.

Tamal Categories

• Traditional red chili
• Green corn
• Gourmet
• Sweet

Cash prizes ranging from $150 to $500 are given for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each category with the top tamale maker taking home a whopping $750.

So gather your family and get ready for a chance to indulge in delicious tamales, fry bread, tacos, burritos, kettle corn, and churros while you enjoy live local entertainment throughout the day including Tejano Acts, Folklorico groups, Aztec Dancers, Mariachis, and Pascua Yaqui Tribe Cultural Dancers. This kid-friendly event will also include face painters, caricature artists, and a chance to visit with Santa.

Gearing up for holiday gift-giving? You can knock that out at the festival, too! With artisan makers selling beadwork, jewelry, blankets, artwork, paintings, and woodwork as well as farmers market vendors selling jams, hats, soaps, shirts, chiles, and more, the Tamal and Heritage Festival makes it easy to support local and share the wealth with those you care about.

The Tamal and Heritage Festival will be held at Casino Del Sol’s AVA Amphitheater located at 5655 W. Valencia Rd. on Saturday, December 3, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about the Tamal Fest, to learn how to become a vendor, or to enter the tamale contest, visit casinodelsol.com.