The second annual Taco Fest drew hundreds of people to Colusa on Saturday.
The summer festival, sponsored by the City of Colusa, included a taco competition, food trucks, vendors, community booths, bounce house, piñatas, entertainment, and more.
Colusa Rural Firefighters, Colusa Çity Firefighters, Restaurant on the Range, Joe’s BBQ, and Mercado’s Meat Market No. 2 competed against each other by putting their tacos to the test.
Colusa Police Chief Josh Fitch, Colusa Indian Community Council Director Nolan Gonzales, and City Council member Denise Conrado were the judges,
“They were all good but I did have my favorite,” Conrado said.
Restaurant on the Range was declared the winner of the $1,000 cash prize for presenting the best taco. Colusa Rural Fire and Colusa City Fire tied for second place.
Primary entertainment at Taco Fest was Mariachi Bonitas de Dinorah Klingler on the sound stage, sponsored by the Indian Community Council.
DFT Cornhole hosted a tournament in which 40 teams competed.
The festival, while very successful, was held from 4-9 PM, but a later start time of 6 PM may be planned next year, officials said, largely due to the heat.
City staff said they will need additional volunteers to build on the event every year. However, the city did secure sufficient donations from the community to cover the entire expense of the festival, officials said.
“It was a free event to the community and no taxpayer dollars were spent,” said Colusa Grant Writer Fernanda Venetta, one of the organizers.
Venetta also said the city worked closely with the county environmental health department to see all food safety and permit requirements were met. ■