There’s a new reason to celebrate on Cinco de Mayo, because Party Tenders is adding Tamales to the mix! The inaugural New Mexico Tamale Festival aims to be the “largest annual tamal sampling festival in the Land of Enchantment,” featuring a full evening of music and fun on the Plaza de Las Cruces. Included in the event, are food trucks, Mexican beer gardens, a night mercado, games, live music, and more. The first ever New Mexico Tamale Festival takes place Friday, May 5, 2024, from 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Masa y Mas!
To kick this new event off en gran estilo, over 15 styles of tamales will be available for sampling throughout the evening. Tickets for the event include all access entry to entertainment and the night mercado, the official afterparty at Rad Retrocade, unlimited photos, Tamale Fest branded cutlery, tamale samples, and four full tamale tickets from any food truck or vendor tent. Food trucks expected to attend are Xanthes, T Bird Tamales, Alycias Tamales, Scott’s Tamales, and more to be announced as the date draws closer.
But let’s say you’re a newbie to New Mexican cuisine and aren’t really sure what a tamal is. We’ve got you covered with an article on How to Make Tamales and Preserve Traditions, as well as a chat and shared recipes with tamal expert Edmundo Resendez. These should bring you up to speed on what to expect. Don’t blame us if you wind up drooling all over your keyboard.
Music for this very special evening will be provided by DJ Aaron Scene and DJ Rob E., with a special appearance by Las Cruces own party band Satisfied. Offering the best in Cumbia, Rock, Oldies, Tejano, Country, Top 40, and more, Satisfied will spice up the night and get you into a dancing mood, so you can make room for more tamales. Also included on the Plaza de Las Cruces stage will be Mariachi music and Ballet Folklorico dancers.
Cars of the classic, custom and lowrider varieties are also invited to park and show on Main Street from 6 – 9 p.m. Participants will receive a commemorative New Mexico Tamale Festival dash plaque and a pass to the festival. Any interested are asked to contact Jeff Jansen at 920-248-1122.
Get Your Tickets Now!
General admission tickets for ages 13 and up range from $13.50 to $72. General admission tickets will be available at Eventbrite only until midnight the day before the event. Tickets are available online or at the gates the day of the event, if still available. Early purchase is strongly encouraged. Kids 12 and under are free with adult ticket.
Sponsoring partners helping to bring this first ever event to downtown Las Cruces include D2 Designs, Rad Retrocade, Shahrazad Booth attorney at Law, Adams Radio Group, KGRT 103.9, Classic 98.7, Kool Oldies 104.5, AM 570, Hot 103.1, MV News, Everything Las Cruces, Pure Las Cruces, and LasCruces.com.
This is an all-ages event, rain or shine, though you must be 21 or over to consume alcohol from the Mexican beer gardens. As with most Party Tender events, attendees are encouraged to bring cash for this event, in order to avoid the long lines at the available ATMs. For more information on the inaugural New Mexico Tamale Festival, visit the website.
Posted by LasCruces.com
