International Tamale Festival Returns To Indio

Palm Desert CA

01 November, 2021

7:57 PM

Description

INDIO, CA — Tens of thousands of tamale lovers and hundreds of vendors are expected to turn out in downtown Indio next month for the 29th annual International Tamale Festival. This year's festival runs Dec. 4-5 and will feature handmade tamales, competitions for best tamale and tamale eating, carnival rides, and a car show. Fans can also expect new festivities this year, including curated food areas featuring, of course, tamales and cocktails, including micheladas. Musical bookings will span English and Spanish language performers. A new mercado will bring handcrafts, merchandise, art, and a farmers' market to the event. Family-friendly attractions will expand to include luchador wrestlers and "The World's Biggest Bounce House" by Big Bounce America, according to event organizers. The city of Indio has partnered with the CUSP Agency to put on the festival over the next three years, through 2023. The partnership and joint investment in the community are designed to provide a new look, including branding, décor, musical bookings, food and beverage curation, attractions and more, according to organizers. "The return of the Indio International Tamale Festival to the center stage of the desert shows our desire to bring world-class events into our local community," said Indio Mayor Elaine Holmes. "We are excited to take this year's event to another level." CUSP founding producer Gopi Sangha said the aim of the partnership is to reestablish the Tamale Festival as a "marquee cultural event in the region." The Tamale Festival's first iteration was in 1992. In December of 2000, the festival made the "Guinness Book of World Records" for its record attendance of 120,000 people. Voted as one of Food Network's "Top 10 All-American Food Festivals," the much-loved event is a favorite of locals and tourists alike, according to organizers. All local and regional vendors are encouraged to participate in the festival by submitting their applications on the festival website. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Admission to the event is free for the public, and parking is available at the Larson Justice Center on the corner of Highway 111 and Oasis Street. Free shuttles will be provided. The festival will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec.5.