The Epic Outdoor Food Fest In Arizona You Simply Cannot Miss

One of my favorite parts of the holidays? The abundance of food which is almost always accompanied by loved ones and smiling faces (with the exception of a surly relative or two). If the Christmas season isn’t complete without a serving or five of some mouthwatering tamales, then you’re going to love this epic food festival coming up later this month!

Now in its 11th year, the Somerton Tamale Festival is an annual food festival dedicated to the humble tamale and prospective college students. It will be held Saturday, December 16 starting at 11am.

The festival is located in Somerton, which is just south of Yuma via Route 95, and will be held on the city's main street. The city has a population of almost 15,000 yet still feels tiny and most of the residents are employed in agriculture.

Hosted by the El Diablito Arizona State University Alumni Chapter, the tamale festival also acts an annual scholarship fundraiser for future Sun Devils. All proceeds from the festival go towards scholarships to ASU.

Each year, the event brings more than 30,000 visitors into Somerton to sample dozens of handmade tamales from more than 40 vendors. The tamales you'll find here range from traditional favorites to adventurous flavor combinations.

During the event, you'll also be treated to live music and you'll have a chance to purchase products from local arts and crafts vendors.

Are you ready to enjoy a plate of delicious tamales?

The Somerton Tamale Festival will be held December 16 on the main street in Somerton, located approximately 11 miles southwest of Yuma. The event is free to attend and most parking areas are also free. We recommend bringing cash as some vendors do not take credit or debit cards. You can find more details about the event on the website, somertontamalefestival.com.