To celebrate its 16th year, the City of Maricopa Salsa Festival is debuting its inaugural Salsapalooza concert, a diverse lineup of three incredible bands. Salsa Festival is a free event, hosted at Copper Sky Regional Park (44345 W. MLK Blvd. Maricopa, AZ 85138) from noon - 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 7.

All are welcome, near and far, to sample over 20 salsa contest entries from area chefs, visit a selection of over 100 vendors including 18 food trucks, enjoy libations at the Native New Yorker Beer Garden, and, of course, stick around for Salsapalooza, which kicks off at 2:30 p.m. on the main stage. The free concert opens with Supernatural, Arizona's answer to Santana, followed by a 4:30 p.m. performance led by Karla Perez as The Selena Show. Ms. Perez is widely recognized as the top Selena tribute artist in the U.S. and Mexico, a testament fullheartedly agreed upon by the L.A. Times.

 Salsapalooza wraps up with a 6:30 p.m. finale featuring Metalachi, the world's first and only heavy metal mariachi band. MTVOnline calls the Metalachi a "groundbreaking act" and the Huffington Post proclaims that Metalachi "pushes both metal rock and mariachi barriers". Their concerts sell out nationwide, but only in Maricopa can you see them and the other artists for free in a truly epic and entertaining lineup. The annual salsa contest winners this year will be selected by a diverse panel of expert and novice judges, including President and Owner of My Nana's Best Tasting Tortilla Chips, Josie Ippolito and "Coyote Joe" Daignault, cookbook author and host of Emmy-Award winning program, The Sonoran Grill. Salsa sampling kits are available to purchase for $1 and Maricopa is proud to have My Nana's Best Tasting Tortilla Chips/La Canasta Tortillas as title sponsor and official chip of the 2020 celebration.

 Paid event parking is available as well as free shuttle service from four area stops; ATMs and water stations are also onsite. Canopies and standard or high folding chairs are not permitted on grounds, but picnic blankets and low beach chairs are welcome. The event will also feature an interactive DJ, food eating contest sponsored by Maricopa's Native New Yorker, and lawn games for kids young and old.  

Please visit event website, www.maricopasalsafestival.com for more information regarding parking, shuttles and schedule of events. We welcome and look forward to seeing everyone there.

 Vendor list, click here.