The only thing better than a festival is a food festival. I mean, what’s not to love about an event dedicated entirely to food? If you agree, then you’ll definitely want to mark your calendar for the Delta Hot Tamale Festival. Just as the name implies, the three-day festival is centered around one of the Delta’s tastiest traditions – the hot tamale. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the can’t-miss food event.
Scheduled for October 18 – 20, 2018, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival is a “fun-filled event that celebrates local and regional artists, musicians, and tamale makers as well as some of the South’s most influential chefs and writers.”
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
The festival is held in Greenville, which is fitting since the city is officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as the “Hot Tamale Capital of the World.”
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
The three-day event kicks off on Thursday night with a dinner, followed by the Literary and Culinary Mashup on Friday. On Saturday, it’s the tamale-inspired street fair that draws big crowds.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
You’ll have plenty of chances to sample hot tamales during the course of the festival. Never had a Delta hot tamale? They’re much different than their slightly more popular counterpart, the Texas tamale.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook In the Delta, the hot tamales are made with ground corn meal, rather than masa. Additionally, they’re smaller, spicier, and simmered in water instead of steamed.
The street is lined with tamale vendors, so you can basically eat your way through the festival, sampling one of the Delta’s tastiest creations.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
To really get your fill, sign up for the Hot Tamale eat-off. Be prepared for some fierce competition, though. The 2017 winner scarfed down 29 tamales in just five minutes!
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
Other festival fun includes the crowning of a king and queen, a parade, celebrity chef tamale cook-off, live music, and more.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
Remember, the Delta Hot Tamale Festival is a much-anticipated event, so Greenville hotels fill up fast, with most usually selling out by early September.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
For more information on the festival, call (662) 378-3121 or visit the festival’s Facebook page or the Main Street Greenville website.
Delta Hot Tamale Festival/Facebook
In the Delta, the hot tamales are made with ground corn meal, rather than masa. Additionally, they’re smaller, spicier, and simmered in water instead of steamed.
So, ever been to this festival? If so, what’d you think about the tamales? Tell us in the comments section.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out “These 10 Restaurants Serve The Best Hot Tamales In Mississippi.“
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