22nd Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival starts on July 25, 2015 in Oxnard, CA

The 22^nd Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival spices up the summer season in downtown Oxnard July 25-26, 2015. It will be held in Plaza Park, Fifth and ‘B’ Streets, and will celebrate everything salsa – from food, music, to the dance.

Entertainment Line-up:

Saturday, July 25, 2015

11am to 1pm – Orquesta Rumbankete

1pm to 2pm – Community Dance Showcase

2pm to 4pm – Son Mayor

4:45pm to 6:45pm – Echo Park Project

Sunday, July 26, 2015

11am to 1 pm – Conjunto Oye!

1pm to 2pm – Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser

2pm to 4 pm – Sabor De Mi Cuba

4:45pm to 6:45pm – Orquesta Tabaco y Ron

The Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge Recipe Contest is taking place on Sunday, July 26, 2015. Amateur salsa chefs are invited to compete to win! The contest is limited to 50 salsas and pre-registration is required. The entry fee is $25 per salsa and includes one souvenir t-shirt per entry. Entry forms are due by Friday, July 10, 2015 and are available online or by calling 805.247.0197. Winning salsas will be selected in several categories including Best Red, Best Green, Best Fruit, Best Mild, Best Medium, and Best Hot. The Judge’s Choice Winner (best of show) will be awarded with a $100 cash prize from the Oxnard Salsa Festival. First place category winners will receive a Festival “goodie bag” and $30 restaurant gift certificate from the kitchen featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins& Dives.

Dancing with our Community Stars Dance Contest and Charity Fundraiser competitors will be: Christina Albert, dancing for Soroptomists International of Oxnard with instructor, Jesse ‘Chuy’ Rodriguez; Jim Duran, Lead Pastor, River Community Church in Ventura & Director of The City Center Transitional Living, dancing for The City Center with instructor, Alethia Alvarez; Meredith Garofalo, Meteorologist/Reporter, KEYT- News 3, dancing for Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties with instructor, Jesus Garcia; Mary Jo Fuentes Leste, Owner of TLC Tender Loving Care Hospice, dancing for Loving Heart Hospice Foundation with instructor, Oswaldo Balcaceres; Tyler Marie, dancing for Community Action of Ventura County, with instructor Lovie Hernandez; and Edgar Mohorko, Jr., dancing for Oxnard PAL, Police Activities League with instructor, Diana Tere. The dancers will be vying for the ‘Judge’s Choice Award’ for the best routine, while also competing for the ‘People’s Choice Award’, which is awarded to the star who raises the most money for his or her charity.  The fundraising voting campaign is underway and donations can be made online. 

Kids Korner has been expanded this year with additional activities. Oxnard’s own Art & Music Factory allows kids to use their creativity in the arts & crafts booth, using real tortillas, courtesy of Mission Foods. Led by Gloria Hidrogo, a graduate of Bellas Artes in Mexico, kids can paint on tortillas or create tortilla flower necklaces. A variety of inflatables like a bounce house, giant maze, slide, mechanical jet ride, interactive games, climbing wall will the kids busy.

Salsa Tasting Tent Experience is a way to experience different salsas from local restaurants, Mexican markets, and gourmet salsa vendors. Exhibitors will include BG’s Café, Chehalem Ridge Brand, Desert Smoke BBQ, El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, El Oaxaco, Fresh and Easy, Ghost Scream, La Dolce Vita Ristorante, La Fonda Del Rey, Mama Vegas Products, Margarita Villa, Naked Infusion, Rootz, the kitchen, Tresierras Supermarkets, Vallarta Supermarkets, and Whole Foods Market Oxnard. Tent admission is $5 and includes freshly made Mission Food tortilla chips and ten tasting tickets.

Mark your calendar and hope to see you there!

For more information to plan ahead for next year:

Oxnard Salsa Festival

Plaza Park

Fifth and B Streets

Oxnard, CA, United States

Dates/Hours: July 25-26, 2015 from 11am to 7pm

Admission: FREE for the event, Salsa Tasting Tent - $5, Reserved Stage Seating - prices vary

Parking: Free parking in downtown area