Utah Tacofest aims to bridge cultural gaps by offering tacos from around the world

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Tacofest boasts of offering the best tacos in the Beehive State all under one roof — from tried-and-true flavors like carne asada, fish and al pastor to taco innovations like BBQ, Thai, vegan, octopus and Brazilian.

"It's about bridging cultural gaps and bringing people together," Utah Tacofest co-founder Marcelo Bayon said. "Tacos are very popular and can bring people together. Every country has reinvented the taco."

Utahns have the opportunity to sample tacos from 37 vendors from across the state who will compete to win the festival's best tacos awards. But this year's festival also offers a taste of much more than tacos; it will also showcase lucha libre wrestlers, folkloric dancers, live music and low-riders Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Utah State Fairpark.

Bayon's family organized the first Tacofest in 2017 as a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit program that delivers meals to the homes of elderly individuals and others who can't purchase or prepare their own meals. This year, a portion of each ticket fee will go to supporting the Fathers & Families Coalition of Utah and the Kennedy Jr. High After-School Program. Tickets start at $7 and admission is free for children under 12.

Organizing Tacofest has brought Bayon's family closer together, but he said his favorite part about the event is seeing the joy it brings the community.

"It just makes people happy, eating tacos, and I like seeing smiles on people's faces," he said. "It's gonna be a great experience and you'll be able to try all the best tacos that Utah has to offer."

More information about Tacofest is available on the event's Instagram and Facebook pages.

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