The First Annual Stockton Tamale Festival
By Nora Heston Tarte
The 1st Annual Stockton Tamale Festival is serving up a diverse array of ethnic cuisine with a side of civic-minded charity. On December 5, families can come together to enjoy a little bit of everything, including carnival rides, concerts, and car shows.
Armando Dulao, the mind behind the tamale festival, is using his entrepreneurial spirit to better the community. Not only does he aim to promote local businesses through the festival, he is also supporting local animal rescue efforts in the region by donating part of the proceeds to the San Joaquin County Humane Society and Modesto’s Wag & Whisker Rescue.
“I’ve always held a firm belief in strong community values,” Armando says of his decision to incorporate charity into the festival.
With live cooking demonstrations and food, wine, and beer pairings, the festival is certainly centered on culinary delights, but that’s just a sampling of what will be offered. A complete line-up of entertainment for kids and adults, including amateur and professional talent, arts and crafts, face painting, and celebrity sightings, will help round out the day-long festival (10 AM-8 PM).
After 40 years of promoting car shows and concerts, Armando decided to expand to a venue where he could reach larger audiences and promote the rich, cultural heritage of the San Joaquin Valley.
So why a tamale festival? “Tamale Festivals are part of the fabric of several other California communities,” explains Armando, a San Joaquin County resident since 1953. “I look forward to building the best California Tamale Festival right here in San Joaquin County!”
Check it Out:
San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton StocktonTamaleFestival.com