Salsa Champ 2021
Toryn Terrell (left) of Glennwilde celebrates being named Ultimate Overall winner in last year's Salsa Challenge, a part of the Salsa Night Market at Copper Sky. Mayor Christian Price (center) and city council member Rich Vitiello awarded Terrell his $2,500 prize and championship belt. [Jay Taylor photo]

Saturday’s Salsa Night Market brought out throngs of people to Copper Sky Regional Park where they saw live entertainment and sampled products from dozens of local businesses.

City spokesman Luis Vila said the city estimated 5,000 people attended the event, where the main attraction was salsa – lots and lots of salsa. March’s Salsa Night Market excluded salsa-tasting portion due to COVID-19.

The panel of judges awarded the biggest prizes in the event’s history.

Glennwilde resident Toryn Terrell took home the $2,500 grand prize for winning the Ultimate Best Overall Salsa award, the largest cash prize ever awarded by the city, according to Mayor Christian Price.

Brian Hay took home $1,000 for winning the Ultimate Hot salsa category and Lourdes Aguilera won $1,000 for best in the Ultimate Mild category.

Judging was done by panel of five who tasted and rated all 50 salsas entered in the competition – 30 in the Ultimate category and 20 in the Amateur division. Entries in the Ultimate categories were narrowed to the top five, then judged again by the panel and the winners chosen.

Entrants in the Amateur and Staff competition made about 24 oz. of their salsa for judging. The Ultimate category contestants, whose creations were sampled on site by attendees at the event, were required to make five to 10 gallons of salsa on site.