Oxnard Salsa Festival

The Salsa Tasting Tent was buzzing with people tasting salsas from BG’s Café, Brothers Gourmet Jams & Jelly, Chehalem Ridge Brands, Del Real Foods, Desert Smoke BBQ, El Dorado Mexican Restaurant, El Oaxaco Restaurant, Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, Ghost Screen Hot Sauce, the kitchen, La Dolce Vita Ristorante, La Fonda Del Rey, Mana Vega’s Products, Margarita Villa, Naked Infusions, Rootz, Tomas Café, Tresierras Supermarkets, Vallarta Supermarkets, and Whole Foods Market. The tasting included a bag of Mission Tortilla Chips and 10 tasting tickets.
Maruchan was giving away ramen and their cup/​bowl products. The ramen tastes just like I remember it. I like to cook my ramen al dente for some texture. The beef soup is beefy and salty. The Chicken Bowl is delicious! Not as salty as the ramen plus it comes with vegetables like the Instant Lunch cup.
Del Real Foods had their prize wheel spinning. I won a stadium cup and some coupons. Their carnitas is muy bueno!
The food court was filled with so many choices, mostly Mexican cuisine based. Everything from roasted chicken, lemonade, strawberry nachos, fish and chips, smoothies, tacos, burritos, etc. could be found there.

Great margaritas by Frozen Sensations! Delicious as always! Fun fun fun! Go and check it out! Lots of food and vendors too!

It’s just another day in the life of an illegal to eat tacos. the people where rude and we actually saw people using the states food stamps cards to make purchases. How is that happening.

It was pretty fun! There’s a parking structure off of 4^th and B st where we found parking in 10 mins (luckily). It was right in front of the festival entrance. There were so many vendors out despite being a hot day. And man was it packed! This was the first time I came out to a Salsa festival, I was impressed.
Shopping, food, music. They had it all today. I had a great time trying out all the hot sauce stands (beware of the ghost peppers, they really are that hot… had to walk that one off for a couple of mins lol). There were quite a lot of nonfood vendors as well, just local businesses trying to get an edge I guess.
The live music was AMAZING! I would have stayed longer just for the music if my brother didn’t have to leave early. There was a large dance floor near the stage as well, people were not afraid to boogie down.
The food selection was good, not as much vegetarian options as I had hoped (docked 1 star). My cousin and my brother had the chicken tacos from one of the stalls for $ 2. It was good but small.
Now…the salsa tasting tent. This was cool, I’ve never been to anything like it before. The price was $ 5 for 10 tickets plus a bag of tortilla chips. This was sufficient considering each salsa vendor was generous in their sample sizes. My favorite however, was not salsa at all. It was in fact a BBQ sauce «hillbilly sauce» from Mama Vega’s. DELICIOUS… perfect for dipping sauce or marinade. basically anything.
There was also a alcoholic drink sectioned off for the 21+ patrons, it was ok. There was wine tasting and overpriced beer and margaritas.
DEFINITELY coming back.

Don’t bother with this «salsa festival». You’d think with a name like that there would be more salsa oriented things. The whole execution of this place was unplanned. Crammed way too many random, crappy vendors (nothing to do with salsa whatsoever) into a small space. Hard as heck to find parking at all. Free to get in but prices at vendors overpriced ridiculously we should have just walked down the street in a nice restaurant! The only salsa thing was their salsa tent which cost 5 bucks to sample some salsa? No thanks. We were quick to leave, and won’t be returning. Save the trip.

I think it was actually July 28^th and we had a blast! I must have tried 40 – 50 different salsas (since my family was with me we all tried eachothers’). There were recipe demonstrations by chefs from restaurants in Ventura and Santa Barbara County and they gave out recipe cards too. Crowds of people, live music, vendors selling all kinds of crap. Friendly environment and good food. Will definitely be coming back here every year if I can!

Great salsa, very fairly priced. I’m a fan!

(((EDIT))) — IT’S FREE TO GET ITN!
So a friend invited me out for this yesterday (7÷27÷13) and it sounded interesting enough so a small group of us drove out to Oxnard for their Salsa Festival, which celebrates Salsa tasting (contest) and Salsa music/​dancing.
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LOCATION
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Located in Oxnard, Ca. about 35 minutes north of Los Angeles. It’s on 5^th street in a park type area that leads into an outdoor mall /​street.
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THOUGHTS
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SALSA TASTING TENT — For $ 5.00 you get 10 «tasting» tickets and a bag of chips. There are roughly 20+ vendors /​stands inside a giant SALSA TASTING TENT. These Vendors typically have 2 – 4 types of salsa for you to try. Each small cup costs one ticket. There are tables to stand /​rest at to put your salsa and chips and try.
There’s probably 100 – 200 different types of salsa to try. Everything ranging from Strawberry Salsa, XXX super hot Ghost Pepper Salsa, to a Black Bean and Corn Salsa.
My favorites were:
~ STRAWBERRY SALSA — the one with the pieces of strawberry. Tasted like a dessert syrup, i recommend it to counteract the hot ones.
~ SAN LUIS SALSA CO. — their guacamole is an award winner (lots of plaques) and it was truly the BEST guacamole I’ve ever tasted. It was so smooth, nice lemony hint, just pure smooth deliciousness.
~ «RED HOT FOODS» stand and their XXX salsa. It was FLAMING hot. The first 15 seconds it tastes kind’ve bitter, then it starts to burn. Next your stomach and throat start to burn and finally you’re tongue is on fire for about 5 minutes. I was so impressed I spent $ 10.00 on a bottle of theirs.
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~ THE SALSA STAGE — We didn’t go here but its big and there’s dancers and musicians playing the entire time. Lots of seating for this area, loved listening to the music in the backdrop during my day.
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~ THE CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS — There were signs for this right past the church and the mosque. It was a little seperate of the festival. It was held at «THE KITCHEN» restaurant in their banquet hall. Basically a chef, with a hostess/​TV moderator come out and prepare a meal an d show you how it’s done, complete with video camera and TV, just like on the FOOD NETWORK.
This is awesome cause it’s indoor and air conditioned and a nice 15 – 45 minute reprieve from the sun.
The chef we got was «SHEME SANTIAGO» and Asian chef from «THE CAVE» restaurant @ the Ventura Wine Co.
He made a Almond Jalapeño GELATO that was amazing. A hint of spice and sweet goodness, made from Coconut Milk. It was delicious.
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THE FOOD
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There’s a variety of food tents throughout, mostly taco and empenada stands. Vallarta has a tent with their burritos and tacos.
I tried OAXACO TACO’s cause UnilocalERS said it was good. They lied. It was mediocre @ best, I’ve had waaay better tacos for the $ 2.00 they were charging.
I also tried $ 4.00 LOBSTER BALLS from an Asian Fish n Chips tent. They were decent, nothing special.
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A FEW TIPS
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~ Bring water. It helps battle some of the hotter salsas.
~ Buy $ 1.00 sodas from the FISH n CHIPS tent. $ 1.00 cans beats the $ 2.50 bottles elsewhere.
~ Bring your own food. There’s no check-​in so you can bring in your own meals if you want to.
~ There’s a HUGE police presence but it’s not too overbearing. Enough police so if something happens they’ll have it under control relatively quickly.
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CONCLUSION
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Go now!
It was 98-​degrees in Canoga Park at noon. It was 66-​degrees in Oxnard an hour later, no joke.
It’s a good escape from the L.A. summer heat. It’s free to go to, no admission so if you’re balling on a budget, come listen to some music and see some fun stuff for free. The salsa tasting is ONLY $ 5.00 and totally worth it. Go now!!!

Right smack in downtown Oxnard! Fun for the whole family, and not crazy expensive. Five bucks gets you ten or so tickets to try ten of the 20 Salsa booths inside the Salsa Tent, plus you get Mission Chips.
Most Salsa Vendors are nice and welcoming as they want your vote, and or are restaurant booths so they and representing their restaurant too.
Inside the Salsa Tent connects to a outside bar area for 21+ both Margaritas and on Tap beers to choose from.
Tons of Vendors most have the same things, but you might find a cool few things.
Lots of different foods to choose from, most are Oxnard based restaurants.
Lots of activates for the kids so there is not a lot of wild kids running around at all.
The music kept your feet moving as you relaxed and ate or hung out with the family which was nice, also Oxnard provided tons of chairs you could sit and relax and watch some great performers.
Cant wait for next year!

Once again back to the Oxnard Salsa Festival for two days, the stage was set the weather was hot, the sizzling hot spicy food booths was up and kicking with long lines but moving, the red salsa tasting tent where $ 5.00 get you a bag chips to taste about fifty different flavors, you are given 10 tickets and a bag of mission tortilla chips, six hot bands were also there spiceing things up! the covered beer and wine garden was sizzling, so many vendors selling food and other Items, oh I can’t for get the smokin hot salsa dancers (extremely) so if you’re single all around you. The Festival appears to be getting more and more crowded, but we have learn how to beat this by getting there when they first open, this is by far one of the Summer Hottest Event with Sizzling Attractions for everyone all free.

400^th review !!!
I’ve been holding off until I did or ate something worthy of this milestone.
The Oxnard Salsa Festival earned the spot because we really enjoyed ourselves.
Thanks to Westways magazine, my husband’s been counting the days for this one.
He sure does love food fests.
Parking was a breeze. Plenty of street and lot parking within a short walking distance to the downtown plaza.
No admission fee. Always a big plus for our tightwaddy selves.
$ 5 buys you a bag of chips and 10 tickets for 10 samples in the salsa tent.
I really liked how this was organized.
Funny thing. We get all the way there and suddenly the hubby changed his mind about sampling the salsa. He’s usually a salsa fiend. I guess it was a good decision because we had a long drive home.
We checked out the other food booths, but we weren’t really hungry so we passed this time. Note: if any of these booths had pupusas, I would have eaten one!
Oh, the music!
This was our favorite part of the festival.
There was an excellent sound stage set up with a big dance floor. A jumbo-​tron helped us get an even better view of the musicians.
Plenty of room to get a good view.
A good tip would be to bring a lawnchair and settle in for an afternoon of primo entertainment.
Orquesta Charangoa– loved the music so much that we bought a CD to play on the long car ride home. I’ve got it going in my laptop as I write this review.
The music was so inviting to dance along to; which a lot of people did. I had so much fun people-​watching.
What else did we do?
Donated $ 1 to help save the Nativity Camel
I’m kicking myself today because I forgot to go back to this booth and pick up a decorative cactus planter & a purple chili plant.
I browsed through numerous crafts booths.
Instead of buying an event T-​shirt or shotglass, we got these nice freebies as a memento of the day
Nice kiddie area.
Most of the youngins we saw were wearing adorable Home Depot work aprons that they got to decorate themselves.
Watched a little boy pitch a fit because he didn’t want to get eaten by the alligator.
Admired the artwork at the kiddie tortilla-​painting booth
This was a good-​sized, well organized festival.
We really appreciated having easy parking close to the venue.
Also– being right in their downtown area where we could visit some local businesses.
What brought it up a level was the music! I love Latin music.
If we decide to come back to this festival, we’ll bring along chairs & plant ourselves under the shade and make a day of it.
Good job, Oxnard!

If you are going to attend the Salsa Festival this weekend, a few lessons learned from 2011:
1) Think, my friends, of what trying more than 30 different salsas will do to your digestive system. THINK before you head directly for that deliciously fiery tent. You don’t want to spend the duration of the festival in the port-​o-​potties!
2) If you like both eat salsa and to dance Salsa, bring some gum. Just saying…
3) If you are a salsero, but have my, err, complexion, don’t forget that although the weather is beautiful and the music is hoping, the sun will be unforgiving. Wear sunblock. Wear hats. Those fedoras that salsa dancers seem to wear are a good option.
4) Consider taking the Amtrack, which drops you off only three blocks away! That way, you can enjoy the beer tent at the end of the day with the knowledge that you don’t have to drive! Stay guilt free, my friends…
Overall, this is an incredible event. I’m looking forward to amazing bands, good food, excellent dancers, cool weather and cool people.

Every year this gets bigger. Things I enjoyed, the vendors all ready with the small sample cups. The attractions could of be more thought out. It was enjoyable at times, except some of the rude people at the games for the kids. If the spoiled brat didn’t get a mood swing I would like to have spent more time looking and eating the food.

Mmmmm… salsa. Tons and tons of the stuff. And the stands with roasted corn on the cob, tacos, burritos, seafood, etc – all smothered in a myriad of different salsas, oh man… I was in heaven! I entered the Amateur Salsa maker’s competition and the lady who won was a 3-​time champion. I’ll have to up my game next year!

Great festival! Awesome salsa tasting! PSYCHIC REBECCA IS THERE!!! Cute shopping!!! I always have a good time when I go, and I can’t wait until’ I go again this year! TRULY EPIC!

OK I have to give it five stars! I went both days for a reason.
On Saturday:
Went with my brother, we purchased a basket for salsa tasting, good amount of salsas, mild, fruity, spicy, flavorful, smoky, Mexican, Italian, Indian. Good tasting experience. Was it spicy, like I Mexican I can say, «nah, this festival was too white wash,» but I’m not going to say that, why? Well because when I left the tasting tent, I had a lot of snot coming out of my nose, and my sinuses were wide open! That’s an indication of something Right?
After the tent we walked around the festival checked some stands, listened to live salsa music, saw live salsa dancing!
Then we went for a beer, weather was perfect for it, drank a beer, chilled for about half hour! Wifi always helps!
We then got hungry, went to another restaurant had some fish tacos, and gave a salute for summer.
All in all, the festival is well organize, it’s free to get in! Even if you don’t want to spend money, you can go and listen to live music, which was good. There’s something for everyone, and it’s not too crowded!
there was 2 beer and wine garden, which were fun, especially when there’s music!
Surprising enough there was not a lot of traffic in the area, and there was enough parking! We found it really quick!
I’ll go again next years, hopefully there’s more salsa vendors!

First time visiting this event and it won’t be my last. We got her early Saturday morning and watched the event get set up. My hats off to the organizers of this event. The event ran 11 – 7 pm Saturday and Sunday.
The event is very organized. There’s live Salsa music including a large dance floor. Plenty of food booths and booths with a variety of items for sale. There’s also a Wine and Beer garden to hang out in and a tent for the salsa testing event. Five bucks gets you tortilla chips and ten tickets to test and vote for your favorite salsa!
There a good amount of Police presence so it’s safe to hang here.
Check it out next year you won’t be disappointed!

I first heard of this in the local rag, «The Daily Breeze» for things to do.
I proceeded to look it up on Unilocal,read the the reviews and I was so there!
My brother and I went and tried the salsas, drank the beer and watched lovely young ladies on the dance floor! Woo hoo!
Good times!

The Salsa Festival, Oxnard, Ca
Every year during the warm days of Summer, at the end of July, the City Of Oxnard hosts the Salsa Festival. Oxnard is better known for that other festival held in May known as the Strawberry Festival.
I have to say that The Salsa Festival in my opinion is the better Festival. It may not be as big or famous, but it sure seems to be getting that way. It’s still a small area, not nearly as big as College park, but that may be a good thing. Major props go to the event organizers. Crowded but not so much as to curse humanity and the Weather was perfect!
What do expect of a festival? I expect it to be well organized, and to have at least something to do with the name of the festival. How many of us have been to a «Festival» only to be paraded by numerous dubious vendors selling incense and garbage that has nothing to do with festival it claims to represent. (Cough* Citrus Festival in Santa Paula*cough)
Yes there is knick knackery of every type, but there is also Salsa, and lots of it! And there is Salsa Music, Live! And Salsa Dancing, ooh the Salsa festivities go on and on. Who can forget the crowd favorite Salsa Tent. For 5 bucks you get a bucket of chips and 10 tickets to try salsa from the vendors lining the tent. I actually did a shot of Habenero Salsa on a dare from one of the vendors! And yes I had the Obligatory roasted corn, and snow cone.
This is the festival of choice for me now. Now if I could just learn to Salsa I’d be in business.

July 28^th & 29^th was the 14^th annual Oxnard Salsa Festival. Though it has been around for a number of years, it is still a relatively small festival.
I consider myself an avid salsa and hot sauce eater; however, I’ve never had the experience of tasting 30 different types of salsa at once. It was a good thing that the margarita and beer garden was right next to the salsa tent.
There is also great latin jazz and salsa music that is performed all weekend long and you can dance all you want on a huge outdoor dance floor. It’s the perfect place to escape the Los Angeles heat in the summer since it is about 20 degrees cooler in Oxnard. See you there next year.