Salsa Festival - Maricopa Stagecoach Days

ON-SITE SALSA CHEF INFORMATION

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Per competitor booth, the City of Maricopa will provide:

• one (1) 10`x10` tent
• four (4) tables for:
  • one (1) hand washing station
  • one (1) sanitization station
  • one (1) preparation station
  • one (1) serving station
• water dispenser, waste bin(s), and power hook-up
• Salsa sampling: 2 oz portion cups with lids for attendees, and a 24 oz container with lid for judges
• ticket collection jar

WHAT TO BRING?

Contestants are responsible for bringing everything needed to prepare and serve their salsa. The City will only provide the contestant booth space, and items listed above. If we do not specifically provide an item, you are responsible for bringing it.

We suggest, but is not limited to:

• Ingredients (everything needed to produce your salsa)
• Knives
• Cutting boards
• Mixing and measuring utensils
• Bowls
• Food processor or blender
• Clean, presentable coolers with ice for keeping ingredients and prepared salsa
• Any other preparation equipment (ex: extension cord, power splitter, etc.)

 REMINDER:  Pinal County Environmental Health does not allow any food prep prior to the event.  All food prep must be done onsite.

SALSA TASTING

When the salsa tasting starts at 5 p.m. guests will be able to purchase a chip kit and one voting ticket for $1.00. Then they will begin to make their rounds to sample all of the salsas that are competing in the Salsa contest, while supplies lasts.

2 oz. sample cups will be provided to all salsa contestants. We highly recommend only filling half-way so that you don't run out!

COST

There is no cost beyond a $4.95 nonrefundable processing fee charged at checkout.

HOW DOES THE COMPETITION WORK

A panel of local celebrity judges and community foodies will judge each salsa on a scale from 1-10 on texture and consistency, heat level, aroma, taste, and after taste to determine the winner of the following listed categories. Customers who purchase a chip kit will receive one voting ticket. After sampling the salsas, they may place their ticket in their favorite contestant's voting jar. Votes will be collected at 8:00 p.m. to determine the Fan Favorite winner!

PRIZES

Fan Favorite ($1,000)

Best Hot ($1,500)

Best Mild ($1,500)

Runner up Hot ($500)

Runner up Mild ($500)

Best At Home Hot (prizes)

Best At Home Mild (prizes)

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I sell my salsa?

Yes! While salsa cannot be sold from your Salsa Competition booth, we are offering participating on -site salsa chefs a free promotional booth in the Vendor Village. At your promotional booth, you may sell your salsa and other items, as long as all products are pre-packaged and meet Pinal County requirements. Contact Pinal County Environmental Health if you have any questions at 520-509-3555.

How much salsa do I need to prepare?

On-site salsa chefs are required to provide: 15 gallons of one category of salsa (Mild or Hot) or 8 gallons of each type of salsa (Mild & Hot)

Do I need a health permit or business license?

On-site chefs are required to complete a Pinal County Environmental Health Services Temporary Food Booth Application in order to compete. Informational sessions will be available before the event to assist with food-handling requirements for the on-site competition. 

Can I use my food truck/trailer to produce my salsa?

No, salsa for the competition must be prepared at the designated tent workstation provided for the competition. Food trucks and trailers may not be used as the preparation or cooking area for your competition salsa.

What are important event times?

On-site salsa preparation will be from 12PM - 5PM (during this time Pinal County Environmental Health will come to inspect). Event attendees will sample from 5PM - 8PM. Ticket collection and tallying will start at 8PM and winners will be announced at 9PM on the main stage. Vendor load in and out will be included in the vendor information packet that will be sent out two weeks before the event.

*please note that times are subject to change

What about lights?

Booth lighting is not provided. We highly recommend that you bring battery operated, portable lighting.

Can I decorate my salsa tent?

Yes, we encourage you to make your space your own and show off your personality and brand. The provided tents will have minimal decoration, so feel free to bring your own decorations, signage, and other approved items to create a fun and inviting space for guests.

 Is vendor parking available?

Vendor parking will be available in the Saddleback Elementary School parking lot. Events staff will provide complimentary golf cart service to transport vendors from the parking area.to the event site.

FOOD, BUSINESS, AND ARTISAN/NON-PROFIT VENDORS

VENDOR BOOTHS

• Standard booth space is 12' x 12' for non - food vendors and 24' x 12' for food vendors. The only thing included with booth rental is the space. Tents, chairs, and other equipment including tables, and/or tent tie downs are the vendor's responsibility. 
• You are required to pay for as many vendor spaces as your set-up requires. 
• No vendor shall sub-lease or share the assigned space. 
• All demonstrations, sales and/or promotional activities and distribution of merchandise, flyers and promotional materials shall be confined to the limits of the vendor space. No solicitation or flyer distribution is allowed outside of the booth. 
• Vendor village will be open from 12 p.m. -10 p.m. 
• Vendor booths must not tear down until  10 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS. 
• Booths must be cleaned and completely removed from the site no later than 12 p.m.

VENDOR LOCATIONS:

• The City of Maricopa reserves the right to relocate or refuse booths at any time. 
• Vendors will be assigned spaces upon arrival. The City does NOT accept special requests for vendor space. 

BOOTH PAYMENT

• Payment in full is due at time of application for non-food vendors. Food vendors may find a temporary hold on their credit card until their registration is approved.
• Vendor fees are NOT refundable or transferable unless event is cancelled.  
• Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the City of Maricopa.
• Payment for the City of Maricopa events is due upon registration. Since food vendor registrations are not finalized until approved to avoid any duplications, overbooking or other issues, all vendors who are denied participation at the event will receive a 100% refund on fees paid minus service charges.

*IF THE EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO ACT OF GOD FULL REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED*

FOOD TRUCK ELECTRICITY

• If you need electricity, you must request in advance and pay for electricity.
• Food Trucks electrical cost is $75 per 220 outlet needed.
• Vendor must provide own necessary power adapters as needed. The City can no longer supply power adapters.
• Only generators that have been pre-approved will be allowed at the venue.

IMPORTANT: Per the Fire Marshal, only food vendors are eligible to provide their own power. If food vendors plan to provide their own power, it MUST first be approved by the City of Maricopa as a quiet generator. Please submit a photo or description of your generator with your registration for approval.

LIGHTS:

Booth lighting is not provided. Stadium lighting will be on (and additional tower lights in use) 

Many vendors find that battery or solar powered lights will help light up their booth.

REMINDERS

Incomplete applications i.e. missing paperwork, expired insurance or Pinal County Permits will not be accepted - no further follow ups will be provided by event staff. It is each vendor’s responsibility to ensure they submit the correct required documents at the time of registration.

Vendors are required to abide by the Vendor Code of Conduct.

An email will be sent to all registered vendors approximately 7-10 days prior to the event with specific load-in instructions, map and additional details.

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FOOD VENDORS:

Food vendor registration is not automatically approved. Vendors will be selected by the registration deadline.

If you are selected to participate, you will be billed upon approval. 

We ask all food vendors to have bottled water available for sale.

Only Pinal County permitted food vendors will be accepted for this event. 

Pinal County Environmental Health is accepting temporary food booth applications. 

The turn around for mobile food units that are permitted in another county in Arizona as a mobile food unit and want to operate in Pinal County is a quick and easy process that is outlined below.  If you are just starting out as a mobile food unit here in Pinal County it would require a plan review in Florence and other paperwork which could take up to 30 days.

If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Permit Application Process:

Requirements for Mobile Food Establishments that wish to operate in Pinal County and are permitted in another Arizona County: 

1.  Permit Application (click on underlined text)

2.  Copy of Mobile Food Permit from the home County where the commissary is located.

3.  Copy of Commissary Agreement from the home County where the commissary is located.

4.  Annual Permit fee - $29.00

 TEMPORARY FOOD BOOTH PERMITS:

Environmental Health is now accepting applications for temporary food booth units.  Please upload to your registration.

Download permit here: 

Temporary Food Booth Permit Application