For Immediate Release
September 28th , 2011
Contact: Mike Finney
PHONE: 480-897-3331
mike@azcomgroup.com
SALSAFEST 2011: A Great Success for a Good Cause
Fifth Annual SalsaFest draws local communities together
Safford, AZ – The historic Safford Town Square was overflowing with festival goers this past weekend for the opening event of the SalsaFest which featured hot air balloons glowing down Main Street on Friday evening and entertainers on the Main Stage. The SalsaFest activities included a salsa making contest, Chihuahua Races, Salsa music & dancing, food demonstrations, chili roasting, Jalapeño & Salsa Eating competitions, a kids’ area, and a special Salsa Walk to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila Valley. This year classic cars and hot rods lined Main Street as car owners showed off their vehicles in the first annual Hot Cars on the Salsa Trail exhibition and vintage travel trailers were on display with the return of Sisters on the Fly.
Hosted by the Graham County Chamber of Commerce and the Safford Lion’s Club, this annual festival benefits the community with funding for scholarships. Recent Lion’s scholarship recipient, Berenice Carbajal, says that because of the scholarship she can now fully dedicate herself to learning. “Because of this assistance from the Lions Club I am inspired to help others and give back to the community”.
The 2011 Salsa Challenge was open to amateurs and professionals who created their finest salsas right in the salsa tent in hopes of convincing the judges that their recipe was the tastiest. Among the judges was special guest Arizona Secretary of State, Ken Bennett. Secretary Bennett and the other judges awarded the traveling trophy for the professional division to Mary Coronado, owner of Salsa Trail restaurant El Coronado. Sandra Ramirez of Safford took top honors in the amateur division and Amelia Sainz of Safford won the People’s Choice Award. All of the winners, including the salsa eating and jalapeño eating contest winners, are recognized on www.SalsaTrail.com.
Children enjoyed piñatas, pony petting, face painting, and choo-choo train rides. The Chihuahua races, the Sisters on the Fly, and Safford Dance Academy, and vendors with food, arts & crafts, and collectibles were also wildly popular.
Information is available at www.SalsaTrail.com or by calling the Graham County Chamber of Commerce at 1.888.837.1841 or 928.428.2511. *************************************************************** Images of SalsaFest are available at http://arizonatravelnews.org/salsatrailimagebank4.html
1050 E. Southern Ave. Suite C-3
Tempe, AZ 85282