Salsa festival vendor and chef deadlines approaching

The deadline is quickly approaching to enter the Fifth Annual Maricopa Salsa Festival as a vendor in the Shop Maricopa Zone.

The event, “Salsa Under the Stars,” will take place on April 25, 2009, from 5-9 p.m. at Pacana Park and is a golden opportunity for vendors to showcase their services. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 27, 2009, and payments must be submitted with the form. Submit early to reserve a space.

The Community Services Department believes in helping the local business community as much as possible. Since creating Vendor Village in 2005, the department has helped over 550 local businesses, service groups and youth groups market themselves. Last year 8,000 people attended the Maricopa Salsa Festival, and vendors should not miss this extraordinary opportunity for exposure.

The event this year has undergone some changes. It has been moved from the day to night to avoid the heat. This year also marks the fifth anniversary. Additionally, the expansion of Pacana Park will be complete, so the event is expanding, and site plans are being redone (no more cul-de-sacs) to make the Shop Maricopa Zone bigger, better and stronger.

There are 130 vendor locations available at the Fifth Annual Maricopa Salsa Festival for the low rate of $125 (food vendors are $150, which includes the county health permit). Each vendor is provided with a 12′ x 12′ section of turf to furnish and decorate.

Additionally, Community Services is still recruiting salsa chefs for the annual competition and looking forward to sampling some great salsa recipes. All contestants who register by March 1 will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Visa gift card.

Please contact the Community Services Department with any questions at (520) 316-6963 or visit the city’s Website for more information.