Thrive
Pinellas salutes the taco Saturday and Sunday
The event at England Brothers Park will feature local artisans and spice vendors.
Organizers say that thousands of people attended the 2025 Pinellas TacoFest. They expect bigger numbers at this year’s event, Saturday and Sunday at England Brothers Park in Pinellas Park.
The highlight of the festival is a master chef “Battle of the Bites” taco competition.
More than 20 participants will compete in various different categories, including chicken, beef, pork and seafood. An “other” category will celebrate the most creative tacos – including dessert options, explained organizer Suzanne King.
Local food bloggers and influencers, Adam and Keegan Bennett, Ren Rose, Eamon Bolten, Tony El Tigre and Judy Cortez, will judge the Jan. 24 cook-off.
Attendees can participate in a taco eating contest Jan. 25. The winner will receive a cash prize.
Rene Valenzuela, owner of Rene’s Mexican Kitchen, won “Best Taco in Tampa Bay” in 2024 and 2025. Last year’s creation was a crab cake taco inspired by northwest Mexico, where Valenzuela’s father was born.
“Part of the appeal of coming to this event is that the vendors can bring something special – something you can’t really find at your local taqueria,” he said. “We come from different families from different regions and we have different recipes and this is the weekend you can indulge.”
What do we really know about the taco?
According to University of Minnesota history professor Jeffrey Pilcher, the origins of the Mexican dish are unknown. He believes that the taco was created in the 18th century by Mexican silver miners.
The word “taco” was once used to describe “pieces of paper” workers would use to “wrap around gunpowder and insert into the holes they carved in the rock face.”
However, there is evidence that ancient civilizations placed food such as fish and beans in corn tortillas.
A sauce vendor at the 2025 Pinellas TacoFest.
Tacos are not the only offering at the Pinellas event.
Live music is planned, with multiple local acts. The animal-friendly event will also raise funds for multiple animal rescue organizations.
King, who serves as the president of SIK Promotions, also oversees the Get Rescued Festival – which will be held in February in Gulfport. Part of the proceeds of the Pinellas TacoFest will be donated to the effort.
Local artisans and craftsmen are scheduled to participate. Additionally, a variety of sauce and spice vendors will attend, she added.
There will also be a dedicated children’s area, offering an array of activities.
The first Pinellas TacoFest was held in 2022. “It’s growing,” King said. “So, every year we have new taco vendors. They hear about it and come from all over.”
This year, vendors from Tampa, Orlando, Spring Hill, Sebring and even Maryland plan to cook for attendees.
To learn more about the free event, visit this link.
