Taco & Tequila Festival

New event launches Saturday in First Tennessee Pavilion

A new food festival is l aunching Saturday, March 31, in First Tennessee Pavilion — the first of three new events Acklen Park Productions hopes to bring to Chattanooga this year.

Taco & Tequila Festival offers good food, live music and a way to quench your thirst with several varieties of tequila — all in one convenient location.

Matt Lowney of Acklen Park Productions in Nashville says his company put on a similar festival in Franklin, Tenn., that was very popular, then added another in Murfreesboro, Tenn. After considering other cities that didn’t have such an event, he settled on Chattanooga.

“We’re trying to build a series of events in Chattanooga. We’re also looking to do a hot-air balloon festival and a Beer, Bacon and Bourbon event in the fall,” he says.

Lowney says about 10 varieties of tacos, including vegetarian, will be served by food t rucks coming from Nashville. There will be three to four brands of tequila in the tasting area and each of those brands will provide three to five varieties/flavors for the quarter- ounce tasting pours.

Here’s how it works: For a $ 20 ticket, you get five tokens to exchange for food and drink. The exchange rate is one token for either one taco or one tequila tasting; three tokens for either one margarita or one beer. There will al s o be nonalcoholic drinks on- site.

For a $ 40 ticket, you get the five tokens plus entrance into the festival an hour before general admission ticketholders.

Lowney s ays additional tokens can be purchased at five for $ 10 or 12 for $20.

“When guests arrive, IDs will be checked and ages 21 and older will get a wristband,” says Lowney. “Children are welcome, but it’s not like we will have a kids zone. But there will be nonalcoholic drinks.”

Also, a ticket must be purchased for any child age 3 or older.

No food may be brought in, nor will pets be allowed.

Two local bands will keep t he party atmosphere revved throughout the afternoon.

Lowney says a limited number of tickets are available, and he expects to sell out. Tickets will only be sold at the gate if the event is not a sell-out.

To purchase tickets: www. chattanooga tacoandtequilafestival.com.