Southern Arizona's Largest Salsa & Tequila Event Returns in 2017 With New Date, New Name - and Tacos!

Southern Arizona's most spirited restaurants gather to put their culinary and cocktail recipes to the test as they compete in the 2017 Southern Arizona Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 3rd as the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance joins forces with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to present the 7th Annual Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge. Formerly the Southern Arizona Salsa & Tequila Challenge, this outstanding summer event has added a new culinary element in 2017 - Tacos!
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The event will bring together some of the best chefs and mixologists in Southern Arizona with an emphasis on local food, brews and distilleries while tapping into the region's growing love for tacos. Following the success of prior years the 2017 event has moved to the Sunday evening of  Labor Day weekend to better accommodate the event crowds at the La Encantada Shopping Center while the retailers are closed.

The Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge pits participants against each other for both Judge's Choice and People's Choice awards. Each restaurant submits their menu of salsas, tequila cocktails and tacos to a judging panel of local culinary experts for anonymous scoring. Points are awarded for presentation, taste, texture and creativity.

Outside the judge's tent, this exciting festival rages on with opportunities to engage in regional experiences, including learning the difference between tequila and bacanora with the Mexican Consulate, enjoy the regional sounds Mariachi Estrellas de Tucson and salsa late into the night with the sultry sounds of Orquesta Salsarengue. Attendees are also encouraged to vote for their favorite items as they sip and sample throughout the evening.

While the event competitors always bring the heat to battle it out for their chance of being crowned champion, they are also supporting important charitable causes in the community. The seventh annual event will again raise money for the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance Creative Arts Therapy Programs as well as the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

Tickets to the event, $55 per person (21+ only), include chips, salsa tastings, tequila cocktail and taco sampling, delicious menu pairings, live music and dance performances, cultural activities, and more. Tickets will only be available for pre-purchase, there will be no day-of ticket sales.

2017 Southern Arizona Salsa, Tequila & Taco Challenge
When: Sunday Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: La Encantada Shopping Center, northwest corner of Skyline Drive and Campbell Avenue
Cost: $55 per person (21+ Event)
Online: http://saaca.org/Salsa_Tequila_Challenge.html 
Phone: (520) 797-3959
 
NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to ensure that, through engagement in arts and culture, our communities produce strong, inspired citizens. SAACA enlists artists, businesses, governments, and individuals to expand artistic and cultural opportunities in their respective communities. To enhance access to the arts and to promote cultural awareness in the communities it serves, SAACA presents large-scale festivals, events and other programs. The Alliance also promotes educational opportunities in the arts and culture for all ages. 
 
For more information about programs and events produced by the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance, go to www.saaca.org.