Family Activities Include Parade, Car Show, Art, Wine and Beer Gardens, Carnival, Kiddieland, Live Entertainment, and Lots of Tamales
The countdown is on for the 23rd annual Indio International Tamale Festival, presented by the City of Indio and Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The celebration will take place Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Old Town Indio, from 10:00am to 6:00pm with carnival rides starting the evening before, on Friday, December 5 at 5:00pm and remaining open until late evening all three nights. Festival activities will be located between Hwy 111 and Indio Boulevard, winding through the streets of Miles, Towne, Smurr and Requa.
At least 125,000 people are again expected to attend the weekend long celebration. Live entertainment will be featured on five stages. Admission into the Festival is FREE to the public. Over 60 tamale booths, a tamale-eating contest, food trucks, the opening parade, the 2nd annual Car Show, an art and wine garden, artisan’s corner (new), a beer garden, Kiddieland, over 200 vendors, sponsor displays, a carnival with rides, and family-friendly activities, and are geared for all ages and interests.
Free parking is available on numerous streets surrounding Old Town Indio, and free shuttle services are provided to all festival visitors from the Larson Justice Center at Hwy 111 and Oasis Street.
The Festival has been ranked as one of the top ten “All-American Food Festivals” in the nation by Food Network-TV. The traditional competition for best tamale recipe will be held, in addition to the tamale eating contest.
The Festival is produced by KevaWorks, Inc., in partnership with the City of Indio. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will serve as the official presenting sponsor, as they have since 1999. Coachella Valley Buick GMC will serve as the premier festival sponsor, and this year’s Car Show sponsor is O’Reilly Auto Parts. Additional primary sponsors include IEHP, Budweiser, and Boost Mobile.
Complete Festival details and schedules may be found online at: www.tamalefestival.net or by contacting info@tamalefestival.net or (760) 832-8620 ext. 46.
DETAILED FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES:
OPENING PARADE
The annual City of Indio / Tamale Festival Parade will be held Saturday, December 6th at 10:00am, starting at Miles Avenue Park and will proceed down Miles Avenue to Oasis Street and Wilson Avenue. The Indio Police Department (IPD) will open the festivities by riding their motorcycles along the parade route.
The Grand Marshal will be Randy Caballero, a.k.a. “El Matador”, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Champion and also a local resident of the Coachella Valley (for more information on Randy, please visit: www.teamcaballero.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Randy-Caballero/161171720566825).
American Legion Post 793 will post our nation’s colors. The parade will also feature cars from the 2nd annual Car Show and dozens of other local civic and community groups.
Members of the Indio City Council, led by new Mayor Lupe Ramos, will ride in the parade, as will many local government officials.
Special participants will include several local high school bands, color guards and tall flag demonstrations, featuring Shadow Hills High School, Indio High School, La Quinta High School, Coachella High School, and likely even more involved. Several middle schools and numerous elementary schools will take part, to include dance troupes, football teams and other organized school groups.
Santa will end the parade riding in an antique fire truck. In all, approximately 45 groups will be participating in the parade.
TAMALE EATING CONTEST
The annual tamale eating contest will be held on Saturday, December 6th at 2:15pm at the Community Too! stage, which will be located in the Artisan’s Corner at the corner of Miles Avenue and Smurr Street.
Two divisions will be held: one for 18 and under, and one for 18 and above. Contestants must consume as many tamales as possible within two and a half minutes.
The reigning champ is Charles G. Bill, Jr. who has won every year except 2009 since he first started participating in the Indio Festival in 2008. In past years, he has eaten as many as 12 tamales within the time limit, and last year in 2013 he consumed 8 tamales to capture the trophy (and likely some indigestion).
Those wishing to enter the contest can sign up at any of the stages throughout the Festival grounds on Saturday or just be at the Community Too! stage prior to 2:15pm. Tamales will be supplied by Rincon Norteño Restaurant in Indio.
BEST TAMALE CONTEST
Vendors will compete in the Best Tamale Contest at 12:30pm on Saturday, December 6th on the Fiesta Stage. Well known tamale makers including Grandma Lupe will participate again. A panel of ten judges, including radio personality Victor Cruz of the Eagle 106.9, will select first and second place winners for nonprofit and commercial vendors in “gourmet” and “traditional” categories in addition to “best overall.” Winners will each receive a prize ribbon and a commemorative “I Love Tamales” tee-shirt.
Judges include City of Indio Mayor Lupe Ramos, Victor Cruz (radio personality and host of “80’s To Go” on Saturday nights on The Eagle 106.9FM), Scott “Lugnut” Dwyer (programming director of kkuu 92.7), Jaime Torres (Coachella Valley Buick GMC), Dave Acosta (host of “Morning Drive” on Jammin’ 99.5FM), and a lucky Jammin’ 99.5 listener.
Last year’s overall winner, Texifornia Tamale Co. from Blue Jay, California, will again be vying for the title.
2nd ANNUAL CAR SHOW
This year’s show will be sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts. Approximately 40 showcase cars will take part in the opening parade and will then be displayed along Requa Street for spectator viewing and judging all day Saturday through Sunday afternoon. The public will vote on the best in seven categories: Pre-War Restored, Post-War Restored, Street Rod (up to 1959), Muscle Car, Sport, Truck, and Low-Rider. To date, entries include low riders, ’32 roadsters and sedans, and coupes, among others.
Awards trophies will be presented on Sunday, December 7th at 1:00pm on the Fiesta Stage. The final car cruise will leave the grounds at 5:30pm following the awards ceremony. Those wishing to enter the car show must register in advance by contacting Kevaworks at 760-832-8620-ext. 46 or lhartley@kevaworks.com as soon as possible, as space is extremely limited.
ARTISAN’S CORNER – New this year!
Handmade crafters will display their works of art, such as weaving, painting, Christmas decorations, Christmas trees made from tamale husks, decorative yard signs, pet collars and beds, wood carvings, sculpture, blankets, photography, and jewelry. Crafts will be available for purchase both full days of the Festival.
“ART IN THE PARK” ART AND WINE GARDEN
Original art work, including painting, photography, sculpture, and textiles from at least 25 artists will be on display and for sale. Guests can enjoy wine tasting in the wine lounge, and beer from Coachella Valley Brewery will also be available in an adjoining beer garden. Those wishing to display and sell their art must complete an application form in advance; please contact Kevaworks at 760-832-8620-ext. 46 or lhartley@kevaworks.com as soon as possible.
EL GRITO CONTEST — Mexican independence yell
CUMBIA DEMONSTRATIONS — Latin dance contest and music, including Cumbia star Melina Bojorquez.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT – 5th stage added this year!
Live music, dancing, singing, juggling, and other diverse performances will be held on the Fiesta, Amigo, Sunset, Community, and Community Too! stages.
HEADLINER– R Buckle Road (Sunday, December 7th at 4:00pm-Fiesta stage): R Buckle Road is an 8- piece band from Palm Desert, California. Formed in the spring of 2011, RBR is influenced by classic rock, jazz, traditional country and punk, with an original sound that is full of infectious hooks and big guitars, as well as numerous original songs. Coachella Valley Weekly voted R Buckle Road the “Best Country Band for 2014”. (More information: vinman15@hotmail.com).
HEADLINER– DAZZ Band (Saturday, December 6th at 4:15pm-Amigo stage): American funk music band that was very popular in the 1980s. Emerging from Cleveland, Ohio, the group’s biggest hit songs include the Grammy Award-winning “Let It Whip”, “Joystick”, and “Let It All Blow”. The name of the band is a portmanteau of the description “danceable jazz”.
HEADLINER– Kevin Ortiz (Sunday, December 7th at 4:00pm-Amigo stage): This 18-year old Latin pop singing sensation has caught fire with his fans, having won an award at Univision’s Youth Awards in 2013 for his first single, “Un Minuto,” written by his older brother. Kevin’s debut album, Con la Misma Sangre, was released in November of 2013. (More information: Juan Luiz Martinez, Jr. at jl@badsinent.com).
HEADLINER– Tribe-O (Sunday, December 7th at 4:30pm-Sunset stage): This southern California based reggae band from the Coachella Valley, that has combined styles of roots reggae, rock steady and dancehall for the past 17 years. Led by vocals from Siah and Ann Nix, their music continues to promote positive lyrics and uplifting rhythms to demonstrate their mission of self-respect and unity to today’s youth. (More information: Mayra DuBose at mavpcm9884@gmail.com).
The YIP YOPS (Saturday, December 6th at 1:00pm-Sunset stage): They describe themselves as a “young, So Cal Indie Alt band”, whose members are from the Coachella Valley. The three artists, Addison Ross, and Jacob, have performed at numerous locations locally including Schmidy’s Tavern and were even tapped to play at last year’s Tachevah Block Party in Palm Springs. (More information: theyipyops@yahoo.com).
IEHP Rad Rider Bike Show (Saturday, December 6th at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm-Bliss Avenue and Smurr Street): This popular bicycle stunt show will feature “superheroes” who will demonstrate fancy twists, turns and airborne flips off of a ramp (sponsored by IEHP-Inland Empire Health Plan). Stunt cyclists reenact the Motor City comic book scenes and demonstrate safety tips. The shows also feature BMX bike stunts and jumps to thrill the crowd and promote the ‘coolness’ of wearing helmets. (http://www.radrider.com/meet-rad/safetyprog).
Gilbert the Juggler (daily performances): Juggling since the age of nine, Gilbert Figueroa has been showcasing his unique juggling skills at the Tamale Festival for ten years, making this his 11th year. After several years of self-taught juggling, in 1982 he joined the International Jugglers’ Association (IJA), and he currently performs at street fairs, variety shows, fundraisers, and corporate events. (More information: Gilbert or Lorraine at elgranchila@msn.com.
OGR Band (Sunday, December 7th at 10:30am-Sunset Stage): This classic rock band has played all over the desert since 2011 at The Hood, The Red Barn, Hamilton’s, The Tilted Kilt, The Tack Room, The Purple Room, and many others. Performing an exciting mix of cover rock from the 70’s to today, they have also written over 30 original songs which they are incorporating into their act. Original members Lonnie Castro and Raymond Palomino have been playing together for over 25 years. (More information: Jackie at lonnsgal@aol.com).
Jexzi Guerrero (Sunday, December 7th at 2:15pm-Community Stage): Jexzi is a young (only 14) yet soulful artist who been singing and performing since she was in 3rd grade. Music is Jexzi’s passion, and she is currently a member of the marching band at her high school in Perris, Ca.
Other performers will include: THE L.A. RHYTHM KINGS, Steve Justice “Rat Pack”, St. Mary’s Ballet Folklorico, Tres Amigos, and many others.
SHOPPING AND VENDOR BOOTHS
There will be at least 200 booths representing over 150 vendors offering and/or selling foods such as ethnic specialties, hot dogs, roasted corn, and desserts; and clothing and accessories; skincare products and aromatic oils, jewelry, music, and more. Several featured vendors include Kitchen Craft (demonstrates kitchen supplies and samples), Nature’s Select Pet Food (pet supplies including natural food), Auction Stalkers (“blinged out” accessories), and Jackalope Ranch restaurant.
KIDDIELAND
This special zone for children will feature rides, face painting, games, rock climbing, PGA golf, bounce houses, a slide, an obstacle course, Sphere Runner, Simulator Flying, and The Living Desert W.O.W. (Wildlife on Wheels) animal program.
CARNIVAL RIDES
Schoeppner Shows is bringing an array of family and adult rides to the festival, including Zipper, Gravitron, Tilt-a-Whirl, Cyclone, and Giant Slide. They will also have games and a food trailer with popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, and candy apples.
The Carnival will be open Friday, December 5th from 5:00pm – 11:00pm, Saturday, December 6th from 10:00am – 11:00pm, and Sunday, December 7th from 10:00am – 9:00pm. A Pay One Price pass (POP) is available for $20 and is good for one day. Ride prices are $1 per ticket and 24 tickets for $20.
For complete Festival details, schedules, event map, and entry forms, please contact KevaWorks, Inc. at 760-832-8620-ext. 46 or lhartley@kevaworks.com or visit www.tamalefestival.net.
