News from the City of Indio:
Tabasco® to Bring the Heat to the City of Festivals December 2nd & 3rd
Indio, CA – The city of Indio announced today that Tabasco® has signed on to be the “Flavor Sponsor” of the Indio International Tamale Festival® for the first time in its 26-year history. Based in New Orleans, Tabasco® brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana.
“We are excited to join the fun at this year’s Indio International Tamale Festival,” said Jose Espinoza, Vice President of Marketing at McIlhenny Company, the makers of Tabasco® Sauce. “We are proud to support the Southern California community and look forward to flavoring their world by adding a few dashes of Tabasco® Sauce to their favorite tamale!”
Presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the city of Indio, KevaWorks, LLC, and Flavored by Tabasco®, the 26th Annual Indio International Tamale Festival will take place Saturday, December 2, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Festival activities will be located in Downtown Indio, between Hwy 111 and Indio Boulevard, winding through the streets of Miles, Towne, Smurr and Requa.
BEST TAMALE CONTEST FLAVORED BY TABASCO® SAUCE
New to the Festival! Vendors will flavor meat, masa or salsa with Tabasco® sauces; original red, green and chipotle. Contest is at 12:00 PM on Sunday, December 3rd on the Community Too Stage, located in the Artisan’s Corner at the corner of Miles Avenue and Smurr Street. A panel of six judges, including local radio and TV personalities, will select first and second place winners for each category. Winning vendors will each receive a trophy to display and cash prizes, $500 for First Place and $250 for Second Place, Best Overall adds another $500. Guests of the Festival will vote for People’s Choice, another $500 purse! Lists will be available for all vendors participating in the contest, stop by each booth for a free sample and vote!
FLAVORING STATIONS BY TABASCO® SAUCE
Also new to the Festival, “Flavoring Stations” will be available at each Beer Garden to dress up Bloody Mary’s and Cheladas with sauces from Tabasco®.
Approximately 80 tamale vendors sell all types of tamales – from traditional and gourmet to dessert tamales such as strawberry, chocolate, date and raisin. There are another 150 vendors selling a variety of arts, crafts, and other holiday merchandise. The event kicks off Saturday with a festive parade at 10:00 AM.
Activities and entertainment include a carnival, a car show, rides, rock climbing, a ‘Best Tamales’ Competition with trophies in several categories, a salsa dancing contest and a tamale-eating contest. There is continuous music and dance throughout the festival on four different stages. A variety of acts are featured that include local and professional dancers, singers, and musicians.
“The addition of Tabasco® to what is already one of the hottest events in Indio is truly exciting,” said Mayor Elaine Holmes. “Tabasco® is just another example of companies and businesses that are recognizing the potential of growing their brands and increasing exposure for their products in the dynamic City of Festivals.”
Admission, parking and entertainment are all free! Parking is available on streets surrounding downtown, various lots in the area and also at the Larson Justice Center where a free shuttle is available. For more information on the festival and all it has to offer, go to http://www.tamalefestival.net/.
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About the City of Indio
The City of Indio is the largest and fastest growing city in Riverside County’s Coachella Valley with over 89,000 residents. Nearly 1.4 million people visit Indio every year to attend its world famous arts, food, and music festivals. With nationally recognized public safety services, exceptional schools, great parks and senior and teen centers, no wonder over 3,000 new housing units are in construction or being planned throughout the city in addition to new hotels, restaurants and retailers. Indio was the first city incorporated in the Coachella Valley on May 16, 1930, and is governed by an elected City Council that employs a City Manager. The City of Indio embraces its diversity and provides outstanding municipal services to enhance the quality of life for its residents, visitors and the business community.