Photos: Plenty of room to grow at inaugural Arizona Salsa Festival

The inaugural Arizona Salsa Festival took place Saturday afternoon at Chandler’s Tumbleweed Park. Although the event received little publicity, organizers apparently expected crowds similar in size to the city’s popular Ostrich Festival, which the park hosts every March.

That meant although Saturday’s fest drew several hundred people, they seemed like a drop in the bucket compared to the thousands the sprawling grounds were set up to accommodate. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, though, so we hope the event will grow.

A line of a dozen tents showcased the participants in the salsa competition. Festival-goers received a bag of chips with their $10 admission and the opportunity to sample all the salsas.

People try the salsa at the El Palacio tent. The Chandler restaurant had to be considered a favorite to win one of Saturday’s top awards after taking best-salsa honors at last month’s Arizona Taco Festival.

This entrant, called “Weatherman Salsa,” was competing in the Mild category. Other categories were Hot and Untraditional. The ID number “M-8” helped remind tasters who to vote for.

The “U2 Crew,” named after their contestant ID number, were the only competitors we saw in front of their tent strategically offering samples to people walking past.

Here’s a look from Salsa Row across the grounds to the food vendors and the beer and margarita tent. That’s a long way.

The self-proclaimed “Red Hot Chili Chicks” chat with a festival-goer.

Black Chile Mexican Grill from the Arizona Biltmore area drove over from Phoenix to compete in two categories.

The t-shirt worn at the Anthony Spices tent spelled out their philosophy.

Salsa was carefully ladled out of large jars at the Nana Margie tent.

Muy Bueno probably had the most colorful banner of the day.

The Mama D’s tent gauges the reaction to their salsa.

One of the day’s most unusual salsa flavors: Coconut-agave-habanero from T-Licious …

… which also brought its taco truck.

Here’s the view from the food vendors. It’s a long walk back to those salsa tents on the horizon.

One snow cone, so many flavors to choose from.

Surprisingly, the longest line of the day was for hot dogs.

The shortest line? Probably the margarita and beer tent.

Festival-goers relax while listening to the band. The stage is that far-away white tent. We guess they wanted to leave lots of room for dancing?