The city of Maricopa’s Salsa Festival returned to Pacana Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, for the first time since 2022, according to InMaricopa. City officials said the break gave organizers time to work through health code requirements and plan how to cover those costs without passing them on to competitors.
Quinn Konold, the city’s communications and cultural services director, said the goal this year was to create as much consistency as possible in food preparation. In the past, he said, vendors used different methods and there was less uniformity in how foods were handled.
The festival gave visitors a chance to sample salsas made on-site and vote for their favorites. The event also featured folklorico dancing and a mariachi band, and for the first time it was included as part of Maricopa’s Stagecoach Days celebration.
Stagecoach Days began Oct. 15 and is expected to run through about Oct. 28, according to the city website. The city says the celebration highlights Maricopa’s Western heritage and its 23rd anniversary.
According to InMaricopa, the event was expected to draw between 5,000 and 8,000 people. Competitions included on-site and at-home categories, with Hay Salsa Lovers winning best mild salsa and Duke’s Roadhouse taking best hot salsa. Stephanie Putt won the at-home chef competition.
