Dipping right into summer, more than 20 teams are preparing to guac your world at the Jefferson City Arts Foundation's Inaugural Holy Guacamole Competition on May 3.
To gear up for the event, a preliminary round was held last week with Campus Coworking Space to determine who will be representing Campus during the competition.
"I'm so excited to represent Campus at the official Jeff City Arts Foundation event," said community manager, Tina Casagrand, who won the preliminary round with her Guacamole de Casa Grande recipe. "I'm going to be bringing a guacamole that's as zesty and vibrant as all of our coworking space members here."
But come competition day, the "Guacamole de Casa Grande" will be up against some big name makers including Daniel and Rachel Dodson, who became division winners at the San Diego Guacamole Bowl last year.
Both individuals and organizations will be competing for a Judges Choice Award with judges mayor Carrie Tergin, coach Darrell Mosely and Chamber chairperson Jose Ramos, as well as People's Choice Award that will be determined by who can collect the most coin/dollar donations in their team jar.
"We feel that this event brings together the community for a fun event, but also brings organizations together where their mission can be shared with the community," event co-chair Dalton Turner said.
On top of tasting your way through the delicious dips, guests can also enjoy a mini-salsa dancing instruction by professional ballroom dancer and teacher Larinda McRaven, music by DJ Jim Logan, margaritas from ECCO Lounge and street tacos from La Chica Loca.
This is the first year the arts foundation will hold the event as a fundraiser to help complete local projects.
"Proceeds from this event will go toward projects that the Jefferson City Arts Foundation supports and sponsors, such as Jefferson City's first splash park and Jefferson City's only historic mobile walking tour, which will be rolled out later this year," Turner explained.
The Holy Guacamole Competition will take place from 6-9 p.m. on East Dunklin Street between Busch's Florist and Ecco Lounge. Tickets for tasting are $5 upon entrance and include a bag of chips.
For those interested in competing for the 2019 Holy Guacamole title, register at bit.ly/2E8X3aG until May 1.