WHAT’S THE GIST?

You sell $3 tacos, compete in various categories, and market your business to taco lovers.

DON’T I HAVE TO BE A MEXICAN RESTAURANT?

No! That’s the beauty of the Taco Festival – everyone makes a taco. It’s the most adapted cuisine in America.

DOES IT COST TO ENTER?

Yes, it costs $300-$500. Here’s how:
Taco teams $300 single day / $500 weekend
Food trucks with power: $200 single day / $300 weekend

WHAT DO I GET FOR THAT MONEY?

You get a 20’x20’ area. In front, there’s a 10’x20’ tent (with sidewalls), and a 10’x20’ area in back for your cooking equipment. Also, two 8’ tables, 2 chairs, a team sign, menu board and power. You are also entered into the taco competition, which means you receive turn-in boxes for your competition tacos to be submitted in.

HOW MUCH POWER CAN I HAVE?

Teams are provided with two 110v outlets. If you need more outlets or heavier power, alert event organizers.

CAN I KEEP A VEHICLE AT MY BOOTH?

Generally, no. If it is integral to your booths’ operation and/or adds to the overall flair of the event, you can put in a request with the event organizers. Vendor parking is available for utility vehicles and is within easy walking distance.

CAN I SELL FOOD?

Yes! THIS IS NOT A FOOD DONATION, like many events. You can sell any kind of taco, taco sample, salsa, and guacamole to attendees, as long as there is one $3 taco on your menu at all times for the full duration of the event. Selling out of your $3 taco before the conclusion of the event could forfeit your team from the Taco Society competition.

CAN I SELL THINGS THAT ARE NOT TACOS?

Additional items are allowed, but we ask that tacos (especially your $3 taco) are the main focus. Generally, beverage sales of any kind are not allowed.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I PREP FOR?

You must commit to at least 1,200 tacos. Although taco sales are not guaranteed, this amount is a historic average for teams competing in the festival. We request a minimum taco amount from teams to ensure teams are prepared and will last the duration of the event. More taco sales = more cash in your pocket.

ARE HAND-WASHING STATIONS PROVIDED?

No. If you do not have one, please alert event organizers and we will offer guidance.

ARE PLATES OR UTENSILS PROVIDED?

No. You must provide disposable plates, napkins and utensils as needed. Remember, it’s an outdoor festival, so napkins, foil, and paper towel could act as a plate.

DO I NEED A HEALTH PERMIT?

Yes. Organizers will walk you through this process. It’s not complicated.

DO I NEED A BUSINESS LICENSE?

Yes. It’s a simple application and costs $25. We will walk you through it.

ANY OTHER HASSLES?

We need a copy of your insurance listing us as additionally insured. Details will be provided, but this is a simple call to your broker.

IS THIS A RAIN-OR-SHINE EVENT?

Yes… the show must go on!

HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK?

There are 5 taco categories you can (and are encouraged) to enter EACH day- chicken, pork, beef, seafood, and veggie. Yes, you can compete twice and your scores from both competition days will be added up for scoring. Scores are cumulative of both days, meaning you will have a better chance of winning by entering all 5 categories On the morning of the event, your team will receive 1 box for each of the 5 competition categories. Each competition box holds 6 tacos. Each competition category has a designated turn-in time, which typically takes place every hour on the hour. At each designated time, Taco Teams must insert their 6 tacos for that category into their provided competition box and head straight to the judges tent onsite for submission. Teams will then be judged on taste, presentation and execution for each category. Winners are named in each category, but the title “Grand Champion” is cumulative from all of your turn-in scores. So although you don’t have to enter every single category, you should if you’d like a chance to win regional “Grand Champion” for the big $10,000.

DOES THE TACO I SUBMIT TO THE JUDGES HAVE TO BE THE SAME ONE I SERVE TO ATTENDEES?

Nope. But remember, you’re representing your business. People want to see you put your best foot forward.

WHY DO I ONLY GET FIVE BOXES?

The taco categories are chicken, pork, beef, seafood and veggie. You submit each category in its own box (with six tacos in each box).

IS THERE A PRIZE?

Yes. We pay cash prizes based on highest accumulated scores over both days. Categories—Grand Champion- 1st highest total score overall, Grand Champion Reserve- 2nd highest total score overall, and 1st in each taco category. The total prize purse is $10,000 over the weekend. See below for the payout schedule.

WHEN DO I GET MY MONEY?

At the award ceremony .

DO I HAVE TO DO BOTH DAYS?

Nope, but it is strongly encouraged, especially to accumulate enough points to potentiality win anything in the competition. Choose one or do both. Up to you. Last year’s attendance was around 15,000 on Saturday and 10,000 on Sunday. If you are using the Taco Festival as marketing, we suggest both days, but understand that strains your staff & business. BUT, the people that come to the Taco Fest are YOUR potential customers – so give it all you’ve got!

SPONSORSHIP

For restaurants looking to make a bigger impression, we have sponsorship options that offer additional marketing such as logo inclusion on festival marketing, as well as further integration into the festival itself, and a larger on-site footprint. For more details on available team sponsorship options, please inquire.

CONTESTS

Categories / Turn-in Times / Prize Money

THE TACO SOCIETY

Grand Champion: $5,000

Reserve Grand Champion: $500

ADDITIONAL AWARDS

1st PLACE BEST BOOTH DESIGN

1st PLACE MOST POPULAR TACO

AWARDS CEREMONY SUNDAY ONLY!

6:00PM — MAIN STAGE

Announcing the weekend winners!