Long Beach Welcomes International Tamales Festival 2021
Long Beach Living’s International Tamales Festival 2021 will make its debut in Long Beach, collaborating with Roxanne’s bar & grill.
The International Tamales Festival will be an all-day celebration with food featuring Latin American dishes, regional tamales, drinks, tequila tastings, a best homemade tamales contest, vendors, activities, and entertainment. The festival will be hosted by the creator of Pupusa Comedy, Comedian Hoozay, with music performances by Mariachi Relámpago, folklórico ensemble Relámpago del Cielo, salsa and Colombian cumbia by La Mera Candelaria; music sets from Djs Las Chicas Tristes.
The event will have well-known sponsorships by brands like Estrella Jalisco and Golden Road Brewing; Long Beach Transit, Northgate Market, Long Beach City College, Museum of Latin American Art, Hotel Maya, Yelp, Polar Beverages, Arts Council for Long Beach, the Museum of Latin American Art and many more.
The International Tamales Festival is more than tamales, but about “family tradition of tamale making, eating, and connecting with loved ones during the holiday season inspired the creation of this festival,” said the Founder and CEO of Long Beach Living, Sal Flores. “As somebody who grew up with this holiday tradition, I remember making tamales with my grandma and my tias while sharing family stories, going to la plaza and seeing all the
Christmas decorations, the Folklorico dancers, the music, but best of all … eating delicious tamales on Christmas Eve together as a family. The Greater Long Beach community is an extended family. I want people to feel right at home, to embrace their culture, their history, and at the same time introduce holiday traditions to people from different backgrounds,” continued Flores.
“Long Beach City College’s Culinary Arts Department is delighted to be part of the Long Beach International Tamales Festival. The festival is giving LBCC students the opportunity to gain professional and hands-on experience in menu planning, food preparation, event planning, and catering. And for some students, they were excited to delve deep into their own family traditions and recipes. After nearly two challenging years, we’re thrilled to be back in the community to show off our talented LBCC Culinary Arts students and share their delicious creations with our neighbors,” said Long Beach Community College District Interim Superintendent, President Dr. Mike Muñoz.
This event will take place at Scottish Rite Events Centre on Sunday, Dec. 5th, 2021 from 12:00 p.m.– 8:00 p.m. To purchase tickets, please visit here.
By: Dayna HernandezPhoto credit: LBCC Culinary Arts Students