Mole & Mariachi Festival and a Fiesta on the Beach!

The 7th annual Mole & Mariachi Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park (144 School St.) in downtown Santa Cruz.

The festival features mariachi bands, folkloric dancers, kids’ activities and the main event: the Mole Tasting Competition. Mole — a traditional savory, sweet Mexican sauce, sometimes made using chocolate — will be available to sample.

Mole tasting kits will be available for purchase. Attendees will have the option to purchase six tasting tickets for $10. Attendees wishing to sample additional mole may purchase single tasting tickets for $2 each. Mole sauces will be judged by event attendees who will cast their vote for a People’s Choice Award, and by a panel of local celebrity judges who will select a Judge’s Choice Award.

Competitors for 2019 include last year’s Judges’ Choice winner Margaritaville Capitola, and last year’s People’s Choice winner and Judges’ Choice Runner Up Ana Mendoza, as well as a returning Judges’ Choice winner from 2014, El Jardin Restaurant.

Also returning for the first time since 2017, Mariachi Feminil Orgullo Mexicano, an all-female mariachi band, will headline the mariachi and folklorico dance performances.

Come celebrate the vibrant traditions of the Latino community with mariachis, folklorico dancers, and a free beach concert. Enjoy Boardwalk rides and games plus fun food and beverage specials throughout the park.

Entertainment includes Folklórico Corazon en Flor.

Founded by Elda and Esteban Ortiz to cultivate an appreciation of Mexico’s rich Folklórico dance traditions and to develop authentic and proficient lifetime dancers in Santa Cruz County.

Mariachi Juvenil Corazon Jalisciense is a passionate group of young musicians with strong Mexican roots. They wear the Mariachi suit with pride as they share the beautiful states of Mexico through their music.

The Sonora Dinamita Show Is an exciting Colombian group that plays cumbia, a Latin American music genre. As one of the first cumbia groups to reach international success, they are credited with helping to popularize the genre around the world. Their successful recordings include the classic “Mi Cucu”.