Local businesses step up support of second annual Salsa Festival

It is that time of year again; time to rev up your taste buds and practice your chip-dipping technique. Preparations for the second annual Maricopa Salsa Festival Presented by inmaricopa.com are well under way.

Last year’s event drew over 650 people. This year the Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department (PRL) is preparing for a crowd of 2,500. The support from the local business community has allowed the PRL Department to raise the bar for the overall the scale of this event.

“We raised just over $6,000 for last year’s festival,” noted Marty McDonald, PRL Director. “We have already surpassed $19,000 for this year, which is a record for PRL special events!” Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, admission to the Salsa Festival will be free for everyone.

“I’d like to thank inmaricopa.com for their generosity as our presenting sponsor,” McDonald said. “Additionally, MaricopasRealtor.com was recently named as a platinum sponsor with an impressive $3,000 donation to the event.”

Community of Hope Church is sponsoring the children’s activities at this year’s event. “We are proud to be the sponsor of the kid’s zone for the Salsa Festival,” said Pastor Rusty Akers. “We always enjoy being a part of what is going on in Maricopa, and we are looking forward to some “hot” fun!”

“My husband Aziz and I wanted to be a big part of helping to bring out the community and our neighbors for a day filled with fun, laughter and overall enjoyment,” explained Deborah Farhat of Long Realty Alliance. “It’s very important to both of us to contribute in every way that we can to help keep the community spirit alive and well in our town of Maricopa.”

Dawn Madden, owner of MaricopasRealtor.com and a regular sponsor of PRL events, added, “This event was one of the highlights of the year for the City of Maricopa in 2005. Being a part of the community, instead of simply an observer, is a goal of MaricopasRealtor.com. We are excited to be involved in the organizing of the Salsa Festival and look forward to building it into a foundation event for the City of Maricopa for years to come.”

“I can’t thank the business community enough for their support and being tremendous corporate citizens,” McDonald stated. “Their efforts and assistance will be enjoyed by thousands of Maricopa residents!”

The major sponsors who will make this event possible are:

MaricopaFare.com

Additional supporters include:

• Affordable Image
• Bob Jackson
• The Maricopa Monitor
• The Maricopa Connection
• Sunstate Equipment Rental
• Water & Ice

The Maricopa Salsa Festival Presented by inmaricopa.com will take place Saturday, April 29, 12 – 3 p.m. at Maricopa High School. For additional information, please contact McDonald at (520) 568-9098 x 204 or via email.