The countdown is on: The Mountain Chile Cha Cha will return to Yamaguchi Park on Saturday, Sept. 26, where the smell of roasting green chile will fill the air and 20 years of tradition will come to life with Latin music, margaritas, salsa, dancing and plenty of flavor.
The gates will open at noon, and general admission is $10, with children 12 and under admitted free. Admission gets you into the festival to enjoy the music, vendors, beer garden, kids’ activities, and all the sights and sounds of the Cha Cha. Green chile, salsa and margarita tastings are sold separately inside the event.
At 12:30 p.m., tasting begins for the 18th Annual Patty Aragon Green Chile Classic, featuring recipes from home cooks and local restaurants. Green chile tasting trays are $15 and include 12 tastes, plus a tortilla or chips. Festival-goers can taste the entries and help choose the People’s Choice winner, while private judging determines the top home and commercial entries.
Local restaurants will add even more flavor with the Salsa Competition and Margarita Tasting. Salsa tasting is $5 and includes chips and salsa from participating restaurants, while two judges select the competition winners.
Margarita lovers can purchase margarita tasting tickets, enjoy creations from participating restaurants, and cast their votes for their favorites.
Then there’s the music.
Back by popular demand, Sangre Joven and Str8 Shot will return to the Cha Cha stage for an afternoon of Latin music and dancing, bringing the sounds of Northern New Mexico to Yamaguchi Park.
Fresh green chile will be roasted on-site, with several heat levels available for purchase by the bag or bushel. Food vendors, a beer garden and kids’ activities round out the day. Rugby’s Rescue will also be on-site with adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes.
The mission of the Mountain Chile Cha Cha is to build community in Pagosa Springs and the Southwest by celebrating and preserving Hispanic cultural heritage through culinary and musical arts. Event proceeds help support local youth and scholarships while also sustaining the Mountain Chile Cha Cha.
So, bring your appetite, grab your dancing shoes, and join us as the Mountain Chile Cha Cha celebrates 20 years of tradition on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Yamaguchi Park.
The event will happen rain or shine.
For complete event information, visit ilovegreenchile.com.
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