Tempe Celebrates its
Hispanic Heritage
with the seventh annual
Tempe Tardeada

 /Tar de a da?

n. A vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Tempe ’s Hispanic culture and community history.    

TEMPE, Ariz. – The city of Tempe invites the public to attend the Seventh Annual Tempe Tardeada Festival from noon to 8 p.m. on  Oct. 8 to celebrate and recognize Tempe’s Hispanic roots. What is a Tardeada?  It’s a vibrant afternoon festival and social dance celebrating Tempe’s Hispanic culture and community history.  The Tempe Tardeada will take place at the Tempe Community Complex, 3500 S. Rural Road, located on the southwest corner of Southern Avenue and Rural Road.

            In conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month, the festival’s goal is to offer an opportunity to celebrate and experience the legacy of Tempe’s Hispanic culture through entertainment, music, dance, art and exhibits.  The entertainment stage will feature Latin music ranging from traditional mariachi and boleros, to salsa and Latin dance music. Performers set to appear include the Pan Americana Salsa & Merengue Orchestra, Mariachi Tierra del Sol, Chapito Chavarŕia & his Orchestra and Grupo Tierra Caliente.

            Dance will highlight the event with performances by Folklor y Cultura Mexicana and the ASU Latin Show Team Club.  In addition, there will be a special performance by the Rev. Dr. Jesse McGuire playing “God Bless America.”

            Free activities for children will include colorful crafts celebrating the Hispanic heritage, face painting, balloon animals and inflatables. In addition, the Third Annual Tempe Tardeada Scholarship, sponsored by Allied Insurance, will be awarded to two local high school students. 

            The Tempe Historical Museum will feature the exhibit, “Scrapbooks for History,” which explores ways of collecting family history and introduces the Museum’s Family History Albums Project.

            Mexican food vendors including Guerreros, Guedo’s, 3 Margaritas, and the Guadalupe Farmer’s Market will have a variety of delicious Mexican foods at family-friendly prices in a shaded, air-conditioned food court.  In addition, a tortilla-making demonstration will be offered, along with recipe cards and tortillas for purchase.

            The city of Tempe’s Transit Office will offer free transit coupons valid for bus rides to the Tempe Tardeada.  These coupons are available in the flyer insert in the city of Tempe’s water bills.  These flyers are also located at most city of Tempe buildings.         

Information: 480/350-8979. Text telephone/TDD is available at 480-350-5050 for persons who are hearing-impaired. Spanish-speaking individuals may call 480/350-5515 for information.

 NOTE TO MEDIA:

Media calls can be directed to Ginny Belousek at 480/350-8979 and Spanish-speaking media calls should be directed to  Blanca Villapudua at 480/350-5515.