Savor the outstanding tastes, sights and sounds of Old Mexico at Sedona’s kick off spring festival — the Cinco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 4.
Tlaquepaque, the perennial host of all things festive, welcomes everyone to this event, which is paired with the ninth annual Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off.
Held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., admission is free with free parking and free trolley service available from the Sedona Municipal Lot on Schnebly Road, Church of Latter Day Saints on Mormon Road and the 260 Brewer Road Lot.
Bring family and friends for wonderful, day-long entertainment, including traditional Spanish flamenco dances to roaring applause, bust-a-move Latin music, a folklorico dance troupe performing traditional Mexican village dances in a blur of color and — back with panache — the ninth annual Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off.
Outstanding local chefs proudly prepare their greatest chili masterpieces for Cinco-goers to taste and vote on. The kids can whack a piñata and line up for imaginative and fun face painting. New this year for the youngsters is crafting with Aimee.
The cook-off will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Calle Independencia. Admission is $15 for unlimited tasting and children under age 12 are free. Presented once again by the Rotary Club of Sedona, funds from the event support a variety of international and local service projects.
Chili competition is fierce this year. Top chefs — pro and amateur — from Sedona are doing final tweaks on their special chili recipes. Festive booths will line Tlaquepaque’s Calle de Independencia, where the action unfolds. Attendees can vote for their favorite chili concoction, and help their pick win the coveted 2019 Restaurant Chili Championship.
Stay around for the Judges’ Choice Award and Peoples’ Choice Award plus cash prizes and trophies.
Competing for the community’s Judges’ Choice Award are Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski, Sedona Fire District Interim Fire Chief Jayson Coil and Clarkdale City Councilman Scott Buckley.
This year’s judges are chefs Robert K. Barry, Joe Rodgers and Jeff Smedstad.
The Chili Cook-Off also features a silent auction, beer and wine garden, and kids’ activities.
“We love to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Tlaquepaque. It’s a great way to learn about the culture and colorful pastimes of Old Mexico through the arts and have a lot of fun doing so,” Wendy Lippman, resident partner and general manager of Tlaquepaque, said.
Home to over 45 shops, world-class galleries and five restaurants, Tlaquepaque arts and crafts village, now in its 47th year, is located at 336 SR 179.
Cinco de Mayo & Great Sedona Chili Cook-Off Schedule
- Patio Del Norte
Mosaico Flamenco with Gaetano: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These high-energy flamenco dancers are all passion and devotion to their art, accompanied by a Tlaquepaque regular, Gaetano and his band.
Jaleo Band: 3 to 6 p.m. Enjoy big-sound performances and a true melding of musical traditions expressed in the rhythmic melodies of salsa, cha-cha, Latin jazz, merengue and cumbia.
- Patio de Las Campanas
Ritmo Latino: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This Tlaquepaque favorite delivers the sizzling rhythms of Latin percussion and the vocals of Andres Martinez.
Breaking the Pinata: 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Crafts with Aimee: 1 to 3 p.m. Paint maracas.
Las Chollas Peligrosas: 3 to 6 p.m. This fiery all-female Phoenix quintet expresses multiple subgenres of traditional Latin music from rancheras to mariachi to cumbia and everything in between.
- Patio de Las Rosas
Mariachi La Familia Rojas: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Traditional Mariachi music.
Darius Lux Duo: 1 to 3 p.m. Lux combines his love of 1960’s songwriting, 1970’s soul, 1980’s pop and 1990’s hip-hop into a current mix of soulful, rock-edged pop tunes.
- Tlaquepaque North
Free Face Painting for the Kids: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico de Colores: 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Decked out in beautiful brightly colored costumes these multi-aged dancers will delight audiences through traditional stories and folklore in dance.
Mariachi La Familia Rojas: 2 to 3 p.m.
Call 282-4838 or visit tlaq.com for more information.
