New England Taco Festival this weekend in Guilford
The New England Taco Festival, in its inaugural year, will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Guilford Fairgrounds, featuring food trucks selling Mexican food as well as Mexican-style entertainment.
Hours are Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds at 111 Lovers Lane. Admission is $12 each day, free for younger than age 12.
Tickets allow access to the trucks, entertainment and free mechanical bull and donkey rides. Food and drinks cost extra, as does the Big Dog Mobile Ax Throwing truck.
Jill Perez, whose company Connecticut Specialty Events is running the festival, said it was inspired by her husband, who is from Mexico. “He wanted to celebrate his heritage,” she said.
On Saturday, Mariachi Academy of New England will perform at 11 a.m. and 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Lucha libre wrestling shows will be at noon and 3 and 6 p.m. Charros carnival dancers will perform at 1, 2:30 and 5 p.m.
On Sunday, the mariachis will perform at 11 a.m. and 3 and 5 p.m. Lucha libre shows will be at noon and 2 and 5 p.m. Charros will perform at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.
On both days, free mechanical bull rides will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and free donkey rides (max weight 125 pounds) will be from 3 to 5 p.m.
Perez said 21 food trucks will sell tacos, tamales, tres leches cake, guacamole, carne aside, burritos, nachos, flautas, street corn, empanadas, Spanish rice, cemita, quesadillas, flan and other Mexican goodies, including vegetarian and vegan options. The trucks include Tacos Los Michoacanos, Holy Guacamole, Taco Flores, Mil Sabores, Hot Taco Street Kitchen and Maple Craft Foods.
Three bars will sell tequila, margaritas and Mexican beer. A few trucks will sell non-mexican foods.
Big Dog Mobile Ax throwing will be at the festival. Face painters and henna painters will be there, as will crafters selling Mexican goods.
Connecticut Specialty Events has put on other events around the state, including food truck festivals in Waterbury and Milford, and the Made in CT Expo and Christmas in CT Expo in Naugatuck.
To buy tickets to the New England Taco Festival, visit eventbrite.com.