EASTON, Pa. — Locals will have a chance to sample tacos from dozens of vendors when Taco Fest returns to Easton's riverfront.
- Taco Fest returns to Easton on Saturday, May 20
- There will be more than 25 vendors serving up tacos from local food trucks, complemented by beverages from breweries and bars
- The festival offers activities for everyone, including a craft corner, axe-throwing cages, dance lessons and live music performances
Presented by the Easton Area Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber and the Young Professionals Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, this year's Taco Fest will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 20 at Riverside Park on Larry Holmes Drive.
With more than 25 vendors and a wide array of activities, the fest will give visitors the chance to take their taste buds on a culinary adventure.
Authentic local food trucks such as Don Juan & Uno Taqueria will serve up tacos, while County Seat Spirits, Easton Wine Project, Seven Sirens and more will offer alcoholic beverages.
Taco Fest also will try to cater to kids' tastes.
Children will be able to unleash their creativity at the Crayola craft corner, while the daring can test their skills at the axe-throwing cages provided by Skeggys.
As tunes from La Mega fill the air, festival-goers will be able to showcase their dance moves with lessons from instructors at Ely Dance Studio. And live mariachi performances will infuse the atmosphere with traditional Mexican music.
A community-oriented event
Taco Fest originally was part of Easton's celebration of Cinco de Mayo, which in Spanish means May 5 and is meant to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Taco Fest last year was broadened to include more cultural and ethnic communities.
"We've kind of expanded it into Taco Fest to be more inclusive of all the different cultures, rather than kind of narrowing in on just Cinco de Mayo," said Brittany Keal, vice president of Diversity Councils at The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Keal said Taco Fest opens up to different Hispanic and Latin cultures, compared with Cinco de Mayo.
Besides many Latino businesses participating, Keal said the event also will showcase Easton and the Lehigh Valley by having craft fairs and kids' events.
"One of the goals of having this event is to bring together the community," Keal said. "It's a safe place for kids to come for people to bring their entire family."
ArtsQuest also will hold a Taco Fest in Bethlehem in July, but Keal said she considers the two events "not necessarily different."
"You know, they're supportive, as well, of the community," she said. "But having something in Easton and Bethlehem addresses different crowds, and it's able to be cross-promoted as well."
For more information and updates on the festival, contact Easton Area Chamber.
