Event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Sunken Gardens with over 30 vendors 

ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Tamale Festival to be held in the Sunken Gardens and Downtown Atascadero on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

This year, the festival will host nearly 30 tamale vendors from across California, offering a variety of tamales for purchase, from gourmet to traditional to sweet tamales.  

Entertainment will include your favorite Emcee, Francisco Ramirez, and Medina Light Show Designs, plus a wide variety of music from Mariachi Mexicanisimo, Ranchero Artist Manuel Enrique and his horse the Famous Dancing Horses, and the Folklorico El Padrecito Dancers from Guadalupe. Live music by Dante’ Marsh and the Vibe Setters, La Marcha Sound, Steppin’ Out Band, Brass Mash, and Outlaw Mariachi! Enjoy bounce houses, Zorb Balls, obstacle courses; bungee jumps from Bubble Fun 101, face painting, balloon animals, a photo booth with “Waffles,” the miniature donkey, fireworks, and plenty of fun for all ages. Over 90 vendors will be on display, offering everything from merchandise and crafts to adult beverages to a wide variety of food vendors with tamales and beyond tamales to appease everyone’s palette and appetite.

The very popular “Best Tamale Contest” will be in the works, where all tamale vendors can showcase their outstanding work to our celebrity judges to decide the “best” tamale. Plus, the “Tamale Eating Contest” and the “Chihuahua Costume and Pet Contest” will be available for those who wish to participate.

The event is free to attend and enjoy the entertainment, but don’t forget to bring your wallet to purchase delicious food, activities, and merchandise, and be sure to place your orders from your favorite tamale vendor(s). The event will go on even if there is rain. 

For more information, go to visitatascadero.com.