Entries Being Accepted for “The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge Recipe Contest 2017”

Creating tasty salsa is an art. If you take salsa-making seriously, make plans to enter the “Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge 2017” taking place Sunday, July 30 during the 24th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival.

The Salsa Challenge is open to amateur salsa chefs. “If your friends and family tell you that you make the best salsa, we want you in the competition,” says Kellie Meehan, Salsa Festival executive director. “It’s your chance to show off your salsa to judges during a blind taste test and take home a title in one of seven categories.”

Categories are Best Red, Best Green, Best Fruit/Specialty, Best Mild, Best Medium, Best Hot and the Judge’s Choice Winner (for best of the best). The Judge’s Choice Winner receives $100. Other first place category winners receive a festival “goodie bag.” Winners will be announced at the festival’s main stage.

Space is limited to 30 salsa entries and pre‐registration is required. The entry fee is $25 per salsa and includes one souvenir t-shirt per contestant.

The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge is one of the many attractions at the 24th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, July 29 and 30 from 11 am to 7 pm at Plaza Park (Fifth and ‘B’ Streets in downtown Oxnard). Other event highlights include live salsa bands, a salsa tasting tent, vendor marketplace, international foods, kids’ play zone, community stage and the popular, “Dancing With Our Community Stars” contest and charity fundraiser.

The Oxnard Salsa Festival is presented each year by the Oxnard Downtowners. Sponsors are Bud Light, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Mission Foods, Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau, Premier America and other community partners.

For festival information and salsa challenge entry forms, call 805‐535‐4060, or visit www.oxnardsalsafestival.com. Entry forms are due by July 7.