The beloved tamale, a traditional dish of corn-based dough steamed in corn husks or sometimes banana leaves, will be celebrated in Las Cruces on Cinco de Mayo (Sunday, May 5) at the second annual New Mexico Tamale Festival.
The band Satisfied will headline a concert at the Robert V. Estrada pavilion in a lineup including Mariachi Paso Del Note and Banda La Herencia. There will also be ballet folklorico from Michelle’s Dance Academy and Ballet Folklorico Corazon de Las Cruces. The performances and a competition for best tamale presentation will be emceed by comedian Jerry Karnes.
From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., the evening will include a night mercado, beer garden and, of course, lots and lots of tamales, according to a news release. The plaza will feature dancing, games and a custom car, truck and bike show. Besides the best tamale competition, there will be a tamale eating contest and more games.
Organizers said there will be an afterparty at RAD Retrocade from midnight to 2 a.m.
Ticketing information is available online at TamaleFest.eventbrite.com. The event has a Facebook page as well: Facebook.com/NMTamaleFest.