First-ever Tacolalah Festival to fill Ark City with activities May 4

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — The first-ever Tacolalah Festival will kick off with a day full of festivities May 4 in Wilson Park, highlighted by the second annual Salsa Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This new multicultural festival, which is free and open to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

This year, the Salsa Fest is being organized by the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce. To register as a competitor, call the chamber at (620) 442-0230 or email [email protected]. Salsa tasting kits may be purchased in advance for $5 at the chamber office, located at 106 S. Summit St.

The Cowley’s Outdoor Market is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Market exhibitors should call (620) 442-1102 or email [email protected].

Ten food vendors are confirmed so far for the event and most will be open the entire day. They are:

• 3 Critters BBQ
• Coco’s Kitchen
• Isabel Rodriguez
• A Little Taste
• Marcela Jimenez
• Martha Moreno
• Okie Dokie Express
• Smoke Happy BBQ
• Snowie Bus
• This or That Food Truck

There also will be a merchandise tent available, sponsored by Visit Ark City, for festival attendees to purchase commemorative gear. Free T-shirt and hat giveaways are ongoing on the Tacolalah Facebook page, which can be found at www.facebook.com/tacolalah. The official website is www.tacolalah.com.

Food and merchandise can be purchased only with Tacolalah Tokens, which will be available for sale the entire day at the Optimists of Arkansas City token booth on the north side of Wilson Park.

The Tacolalah beer and margarita garden — which will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. — and Outdoor Market cannot accept Tacolalah Tokens, but will accept cash. Most market vendors also can take cards.

Only those 21 or older will be able to enter the beer garden area. IDs will be checked for entry and anyone drinking must wear a wristband. No alcohol will be allowed outside the fenced beer garden area!

Various forms of games and entertainment will be featured between 2 and 4 p.m. DJ Locafella, with Life of the Party DJ Services, will provide musical entertainment under the rotunda from 7 to 10 p.m.

There also will be a live mariachi band playing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the Salsa Fest.

Tacolalah Festival sponsors include 1025 The River, Ark Valley Distributing, the Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas City Equal Opportunity and Accessibility Advisory Board, the City of Arkansas City, the Optimists of Arkansas City, RCB Bank, United Agency, and Visit Ark City.

Proceeds from sales at Tacolalah will go to support the Fourth of July community fireworks show and possibly the Wilson Park Master Plan, as well.

For more information about Tacolalah, contact Andrew Lawson at (620) 441-4415 or [email protected] or Visit Ark City Director Pam Crain at (620) 442-0230 or [email protected].