Tamale Festival celebrates 10 years

By Camille DeVaul · Mon May 11 2026

More than 100 vendors, spirited contests, and award-winning flavors highlight milestone celebration of community and culture

ATASCADERO — Downtown Atascadero came alive with flavor, music, and community spirit as the city hosted its 10th Annual Tamale Festival, drawing hundreds of residents and visitors for a full day of celebration centered around one of the region’s most beloved culinary traditions.

What began a decade ago as a modest community gathering has grown into one of Atascadero’s signature events, showcasing local culture, small businesses, and the vibrant diversity of the Central Coast. This year’s milestone celebration proved the festival’s continued popularity, with more than 100 vendors lining the downtown streets — including 23 tamale vendors representing local restaurants and culinary artisans from across California.

At the heart of the festival was the highly anticipated “Best Tamale” contest, where judges sampled an impressive lineup of more than 30 entries spanning both traditional and gourmet categories. From classic savory recipes to inventive dessert-style creations, the competition highlighted the versatility and creativity behind the iconic dish.

Judging was conducted individually, allowing each participant to carefully evaluate the entries based on flavor, texture, and presentation. Awards were given for Best Overall Tamale, as well as top honors in both the traditional and gourmet divisions.

Top honors for Best Overall Tamale went to Mary’s Cuisine Catering of San Luis Obispo, which also claimed first place in the gourmet category. In the traditional category, La Luz Del Mundo of Victorville took first place, followed by Mary’s Cuisine Catering in second and La Luz Del Mundo of Madera in third. Gourmet category winners included Savina’s Homemade Tamales of Santa Maria in second place and Beth’s Tamales, also of Santa Maria, in third.

Among the judges was Atasacdero Mayor Charles Bourbeau, who expressed his enthusiasm for the event and its role in bringing the community together.

“I love this event and being a part of it,” Bourbeau said, joining fellow judges in sharing their appreciation for both the food and the festive atmosphere.

Beyond the culinary competition, the festival offered a wide range of entertainment and family-friendly activities. The always-popular Tamale Eating Contest drew cheers from the crowd as participants competed in both youth and adult divisions. In the 12-and-over category, Anthony Elisarraras took first place, followed by Addisyn Masallo. Among younger competitors, Aden Nunez claimed first place, with Jaylee Elvira Silva finishing second.

Adding to the day’s charm was the Chihuahua and Pet Costume Contest, where creatively dressed pets strutted their stuff for prizes. Chloe and Paco, owned by Angela Flores, earned Best Overall, while Penny, owned by Aurora Acosta, won Best Costume. Tina and her owner Bethany took home honors for Best Look-Alike.

Live entertainment played a key role throughout the day, with performances by mariachi bands, folkloric dance groups, and local musicians energizing the crowd. Highlights included Mariachi Azteca de Oro, Ballet Folklorico Flor de Luna, and the Zongo Brass Mash Band, along with appearances by crowd favorites like the Famous Dancing Horses and Waffles the Miniature Donkey.

The event also served as a platform for local organizations and businesses, with breweries, wineries, and cideries offering tastings alongside food vendors and artisan booths.

The City of Atascadero extended special thanks to event organizer Terry Banish and the many volunteers, sponsors, and participants who helped make the festival possible. Sponsors ranged from local businesses to regional partners, underscoring the strong community support behind the event.

As the Tamale Festival marks its 10th year, it continues to grow not only in size but in significance — celebrating culture, supporting local enterprise, and bringing the community together in a uniquely Atascadero way.

With another successful year in the books, organizers and attendees alike are already looking ahead to what the next decade of this cherished tradition will bring.

Feature Image: The team from Mary’s Cuisine Catering of San Luis Obispo accept their awards for Best Overall Tamale and first place in the gourmet tamale category at the 10th Annual Tamale Festival. Presenting the awards were Atascadero Mayor Charles Bourbeau (in sombrero), Mayor Pro Tem Mark Dariz, and City Councilmember Seth Peek (far right). Photos by Rick Evans/ATN