Arizona's Salsa Trail SalsaFest

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SalsaFest Banner

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2011 SalsaFest!

See all the fun that was had this year:

Click HERE to view the rest of the 2011 photos!

Some fun activities that occurred this year...

*Salsa Making Competition	*Live Entertainment
*Hot Air Balloons	*Chihuahua Races -flyer
*Jalapeno Eating Competition	*Salsa Eating Competition
*Kids' Corner	*Car Show
*Sisters on the Fly	*Raffle Prizes

2011: A Great Success For a Good Cause

The Safford Lions Club along with the Graham County Chamber of Commerce organizes and coordinates the SalsaFest each year as a community service fundraiser. All of the procedes go toward charities and various scholarships. The Safford Lions Club mission is to empower volunteers to serve and support their communities. For 2011, scholarships were awarded to Berneice Carbajal and Rheanna Berni. Berneice is a nursing student who will be attending the University of Arizona and Rheanna is currently attending Eastern Arizona College. Both of the students wrote letters to the Safford Lion's Club expressing their extreme gratitude for their scholarships. The heart-warming letters can be read here!

The Salsa Challenge

The 2011 Salsa Challenge was a hit! The Salsa Challenge is an opportunity for people, amateurs and professionals, to show off their salsa making skills and unbeatable recipes. All salsa will be prepared on-site, right in the Salsa Challenge tent. People have the chance to buy chips and go to each salsa challenge contestant to sample their awesome and unique salsas. Bragging rights, as well as prizes, are awarded to the best of the best!

Winners for this year are featured below. Next year, it could be you!

Amateur Division

People's Choice:

1) Amelia Sainz

2) Vonda Evans
3) Safford Fire Department

Judges' Choice:

1. Sandra Ramirez
2. Amelia Sainz
3. Eva Aguinaga

Sandra Ramirez and Amelia Sainz

Professional Division

Judge's Choice: Mary Coronado from El Coronado Restaurant

Honorable Mention: Mary-Lou Krieg from The Manor House

Mary Coronado from El Coronado Restaurant

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of our participants!

Eating Contests

This year, the tables were full of particpants eager to slurp down some salsa and chomp on some jalapeños! The brave souls that won the contests are featured below.

Salsa Eating Contest Winners

1) Nathan Cross
2) Douglas Van Roam
3) Wayne Stephenson

Jalapeño Eating Contest Winners

1) Victor Pacheco
2) James Rolfson
3) Ruben Estrada

Salsa Eating Competition Winners

Jalapeño Eating Contest Winners

Chihuahua Races & Costume Contest

Dozens of Chihuahuas raced to the finish line to win the title of the fastest dog! Shortly after the races, the dogs hit the runway to strut their stuff in their best costumes. Prizes went to the top dogs and their proud owners!

Hot Wheels On the Salsa Trail

The hottest cars from all over the desert traveled to SalsaFest this year! Proud owners lined the streets to show off their rides, in hopes to take home "Best of Show". This year, Best of Show went to Dennis Jones of San Marcos, CA. Congratulations Dennis, as well as all of the other trophy winners!

Sisters on the Fly

cowgirl caravan

Sisters on the Fly visited the SalsaFest once more this year, showing off their uniquely decorated trailers. Sisters on the Fly is an organization focused on seeking adventure and having fun. This sisterhood has grown to over 1,000 members from all walks of life. Sisters on the Fly were just featured in the June issue of Sunset Magazine.

Inside trailer

These women travel all over the country fly-fishing, running the river, and socializing over a glass of wine, holding true to their motto "We have more fun than anyone!!"

Check out their Cowgirl Caravan comprised of vintage trailers that reflect each sister's personality. Each is decorated inside and out and has a theme unique to its owner.

For more information on Sisters on the Fly, visit www.sistersonthefly.com