The 2013 Tamal Fiesta took place on a breezy, chilly day. A good day for a hot tamal, no?
LInes formed at the food stands, and people sat at tables or on curbs to partake of tamales, smothered or not.
Mariachi Rosas del Desierto of Deming and Mariachi Fuego del Sol of Las Cruces played appropriate music for the event.
New this year was a car show down the middle of Broadway.
Vendors hoped for buyers for their goods.
In conjunction with the Tamal Fiesta, the Silver City Museum had classes on how to make tamales. Consuelo Hester, who uses homemade or already prepared masa to make tamales, said when she makes her own, she uses lard, butter, olive oil or fat-free with potatoes and turkey or pork for the filling.
"Growing up, we would fatten a pig and would use the pork from it to make the tamales for special occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas," Hester said. "The whole family would make tamales all day. I learned to make them at the age of 12."
Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
Tamal Fiesta 2013
2013 Tamal Fiesta
Mariachi Rosas del Desierto of Deming play their music during the Tamal Fiesta
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
Rudy Paez and Virginia Bustillos serve up tamales from St. Vincent's Catholic Church
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
A car show was part of the festivities.
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
Thelma Sordyl gave out free books at the Literacy Link-Leamos booth.
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
Diners enjoy the hot tamales on a chilly day.
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
Mariachi Fuego del Sol of Las Cruces performed for attendees.
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2013 Tamal Fiesta
As part of the fiesta, Consuelo Hester taught two classesG??one for adults and one for kidsG?? how to make tamales, the way she learned when she began making them at age 12.
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