Food festivals. They grow up fast, don’t they? It seems like just yesterday SWARMM Events organized the first Taco Fest at Horny Goat Hideaway. In fact, it was back in 2014 — enough time for two of those things to no longer be involved with the event. Now, it lives under OnMilwaukee’s banner and sets up shop at Henry Maier Festival Park, with this year’s installment happening Sept. 14.
The 10th annual Taco Fest presented by Good Foods will bring back many elements from recent years, the most important of which is obviously the food. As of this writing, there are nine vendors scheduled to participate (subject to change):
- Chuchos Red Tacos
- El Poblanito Gourmet Tacos
- Lovely & Tasty Walking Tacos
- Pig Tailz MKE
- Romero's Taco Truck
- Tacos Cafe Maya
- Tacos La Vecindad
- Taqueria Orenda
- Toro Tacos & Bowls
Margaritas, palomas and other beverages will be available for purchase if you need something to wash down the many options, and you’ll also be able to get sides for a few bucks extra as well. The taco themselves are included with your ticket, and there are several options depending on your appetite and access desires:
- General: $25 for four taco tickets
- VIP: $50 for early entry, 10 taco tickets and one margarita (or other alcoholic/NA drink)
- Super VIP: $125 for early entry, 10 taco tickets and unlimited bar privileges in a private lounge
The lunch session starts at 11 a.m. for the VIP levels and noon for the general ticket holders, with things wrapping up at 3 p.m. The dinner session follows with a 4 p.m. start for the VIPs and 5 p.m. for the general crowd, with closing time at 8 p.m.
In addition to the taco enjoyment, you’ll have plenty of other ways to fill that time: free guac and salsa samples from Good Foods, the pageantry and acrobatics of Mondo Lucha! Live wrestling, games from the folks at Bars & Rec, and Cactus Ring Toss under the David Gruber Law Offices tent. You’ll also have a say in who gets crowned Taco Fest champion, with voting available during both sessions.
Tickets are on sale now, with a limited-time offer to sweeten the deal. Between now and May 31, anyone who purchases a Super VIP ticket will also receive a general admission ticket to Summerfest 2024. For more information on that offer and the event as a whole, visit the Taco Fest website.
