Salsa chefs wanted to compete for $1,000 top prize

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Maricopa Salsa Festival presented by inmaricopa.com organizers are looking for more salsa chefs to participate in a salsa making competition April 28.

Six cash prizes will be awarded at this year’s event at Pacana Park with the top prize set at $1,000.

“We had 28 salsas last year,” said event organizer Marty McDonald, director of Parks, Recreation and Libraries Department. “We currently have 35 salsas entered and eight people for the guacamole and bean dip contests. However, we are still looking for salsa chefs.”

McDonald said he will accept registrations, which are available at www.MaricopaSalsaFestival.com, until this Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.

In addition to the salsa contest, this event features something for everyone in the family.

“We are creating the largest inflatable Kidz Zone in Maricopa,” said McDonald. He said there will be three bounce houses, a bungee run, boxing ring, a 15-foot tall slide, obstacle course and a 26-foot tall rock wall.

Children will also be able to smash piñatas, play carnival games, make their own salsa, eat free snow cones and watch puppet and magic shows.

And for the adults, there will be four bands with the Freddie Duran Plan headlining.

The festivities will culminate with a fireworks show at 7:30 p.m. This will be the first-ever fireworks show within the city limits featuring more than 1,700 items.

McDonald said this portion of the festival is a warm-up to a July 4 celebration.

In addition, the festival will also have a beer and margarita garden hosted by Native New Yorker and Budweiser.

Native New Yorker will also be selling pizza and wings, and the local Boy Scouts will be selling polish sausages. Jamba Juice and Cold Stone Creamery will be on hand to counter balance salsa-infused taste buds with cold treats. Also, Maricopa Women in Business will be selling Cotton Candy with proceeds benefiting their scholarship fund.

Lastly, a vendor village will feature close to 80 businesses and community groups where residents can interact and learn more about the local economy.