|
home / Entertainment
Salsa Festival draws big crowd, provides good times
John Stapleton
Monday, April 2, 2012
Maricopa, AZ -- While the temperature and the flavors may have been caliente, the coolest place to be Saturday evening, March 31, 2012 was at the eighth annual Salsa Festival held at Pacana Park. For the free event, thousands came to challenge their taste buds and to enjoy the family atmosphere.
Local resident Marianna Kientzler took home $1000 and the 'Best Overall' prize for Marianna's Fresh Salsa. "Best day of my life and happy birthday to me," Kientzler said. It was also Kientzler's first time entering the competition as she celebrated her 39th birthday. "I had thought about entering for years, but with it falling on my birthday, I thought I would give it a try," Kientzler said.
Other winners include:
- Best Hot Salsa - El Palacio Restaurant of Chandler
- Best Mild Salsa- Aurora Graham
- Most Unusual- Maricopa Youth Council
Each category winner received a $500 prize. Overall, the event had 30 entrants for the competition, which is about a dozen more than the previous year. In addition to sampling salsa and a variety of food, people were able to kick back on their lawn chairs or dance as local bands took to the stage. Children were able get their energy out on the different jumpers and the rock climbing adventure.
"I think it's an awesome event," said mayor-elect Christian Price. Price believed it was one of the best crowds he had seen. "I think the city did a great job in advertising it, which brought the people out and that really helps the vendors."
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Stapleton
Marianna's fresh salsa took home $1000.
|