The Fourth Annual Redwood City Salsa Festival is Saturday, September 24th from noon to 8 pm in Downtown Redwood City. This wildly popular event guarantees a fun-filled day of tongue-tingling salsa, exciting activities, music and entertainment, food, beverages, and a wonderful time for the entire family! And it’s an opportunity for amateur and professional salsa chefs to compete for fun, prizes, and Salsa Glory in the City’s mouth-watering and exciting Salsa Tasting & Competition.

Everyone will enjoy four music stages including featuring Latin Jazz, Latin Rock, and Salsa, plus DJ Salsa music. The entertainment will fire up Redwood City with music and dancing (including free Salsa lessons) all day long! Adults can enjoy tequila tasting and microbrew tasting, and everyone will love the free, exciting hands-on art projects and special family area with carnival rides, along with community and civic booths. This family festival also hosts our famous Art on the Square, where artists and artisans exhibit their inspirational work, transforming the streets surrounding Courthouse Square into a beautiful outdoor gallery. And of course there are many nearby restaurants offering their delicious fares throughout the day.

Much of the event takes place on Broadway between Middlefield and Hamilton, at Courthouse Square, and on beautiful Theatre Way with its retail shops and restaurants complete with outdoor dining. Theatre Way and parts of Broadway will be pedestrian-only, making this a walkable family-friendly event not to miss! Redwood City’s Caltrain station is just a short walk from all the action, making it simple to get there without a car. Go to www.redwoodcity.org/events for the entire schedule of great activities at the Fourth Annual Redwood City Salsa Festival, presented by Chavez Supermarkets, and sponsored by Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Xfinity, Telemundo 48, La Raza 93.3, and the Redwood City Downtown Business Group.

CALL FOR ENTRIES – Salsa Tasting Competition

Teams can enter the salsa challenge as individuals, or businesses. Choose either Mild or Hot category. Festival goers will be able to purchase a tasting kit in order to cast their vote for the “People’s Choice Award.” Salsa will be judged by a qualified panel of judges based on aroma, consistency, color, appropriate heat level, taste and after-taste. This panel will also judge each team booth for Best Decorated. Deadline for entries is August 26, 2011 (entries must be postmarked by this date). Fees are $75.00 for professionals and $50.00 for amateur teams. Space is limited, first come, first served.

Please print & fill out the entry form at www.redwoodcity.org/events/salsafest_entries.html

and mail it along with check made out to Redwood City Salsa Tasting Competition, 1400 Roosevelt Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94061. For more information please call or email Lucas Wilder 650.780.7340 or

Contestants must bring all equipment necessary for making their salsa. The Salsa, including prep work, must be done on-site at the event. Canned ingredients are acceptable including tomatoes, tomato sauce, chilies, onions, garlic, salt, lime, and various spices, however all ingredients must be mixed together on-site. Pre-made or pre-mixed salsa will be disqualified from the competition.