Taco festival attracts crowds, delights taste buds
The fifth annual Connecticut Taco Festival took place Aug. 20 at Salmon Brook Park in Granby, attracting hundreds of hungry Mexican food lovers.
Despite warm temperatures, festival-goers didn’t appear to mind waiting in line for some authentic tacos and other culinary delights. Several food vendors had offerings including mostly tacos, but other festive and fun food offerings.
Stefan Drago, executive chef and co-owner of TJ’s Burritos of East Granby, said his booth was selling lots of street corn, pork tinga tacos, and other items all day.
“It’s been awesome. Lots of fun. It’s fun to get out in the community, meet people, and show what we are,” Drago said. “We draw people from all across Connecticut, so it’s great to share what’s happening in the restaurant.”
Nade Bhola, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, was dressed as a taco, and said eating them is not considered cannibalism, but rather a way of sneaking up on the tacos.
“I’m kind of a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” she said, adding that she especially enjoyed the tacos from the Vida La Vida booth.
Other vendors sold clothing, crafts, and prepared foods. The Simply Jam booth had a wide variety of fruit jams and jellies, all with a little (or not so little) kick of pepper spice.
“We make every jar by hand,” said co-owner (with husband Michael) Julia Stewart, adding that they sold many jars at the festival, and business has picked up post-pandemic.
“We’re picking up again, post-COVID. We did a lot of events before COVID,” she said. “We’re picking up our rhythm again. We like the fall festivals. People associate jam-making more with the fall.”
Highlighting the entertainment for the afternoon was Lucha Libre wrestling, presented by Paradise Valley Pro Wrestling, and youth mariachi band “Corazon de Oro.”
For more information, visit https://cttacofestival.com.
