OAKHURST, CA — Are you a great salsa maker, or do you just think you are? This may be the time to find out. As part of this year’s Mountain Heritage Days’ “Step Back in Time” activities, Vision Academy of the Arts is sponsoring a hotly anticipated “Salsa Fest” competition that’s bound to spice things up.
Mountain area residents looking for a chance to show off their favorite recipes and earn the title “Best Salsa in the Mountains” must deliver their Salsas to Fresno Flats on Saturday, Sept. 14 by 9 a.m. and remain on-site throughout the event.
In addition to judges’ favorites, the salsa that’s most popular with the crowd is set to be named the “Tasters’ Choice.” All donations benefit Vision Academy of the Arts Scholarship Fund.
Panel Judging will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Tasters’ Choice Judging will be tallied afterwards. Participants may register in any or all of three salsa categories, include Fresh Tomato Salsa, Cooked Tomato Salsa, and Specialty Salsa (fruit-based which may be raw or cooked).
Pre-registrations are due by Thursday, Sept. 12, at $10 each. Registrations after Thursday are $15 each and payable at the door. Contestants may place up to two entries per category.
Vision Academy has lined up local personalities to judge the winners in each category, including District 5 Supervisor Tom Wheeler and other local luminaries. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to vote for their favorite salsa by placing a donation in the jar next to their top choice.
Winners will have the chance to share their prize-winning recipes which will also be gifted to everyone who attends Vision Academy’s annual fundraiser, “Grand Nite for the Arts” in February.
To register, pick up an entry form at the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce or the Oakhurst Branch Library. Payment should be submitted to Vision Academy of the Arts, PO Box 1272, Oakhurst, CA 93644 or turn registration and payment over to a Vision Academy volunteer at the time of the event.
All salsa entries MUST include a complete list of ingredients on a 3 X 5 card for display during the competition. Recipes are not mandatory and remain the property of each contestant.
For questions or additional information, e-mail Jackie Byers or phone 559-683-7071.
