The National Indian Taco Championship returns to Pawhuska on Saturday, Oct. 1 for a day of food and entertainment featuring Indian tacos in the spotlight.
The annual cooking competition and food sale event typically draws hundreds of people to downtown Pawhuska on the first Saturday of each October. Each year, Indian taco cooks and their helpers from various tribal and culinary backgrounds compete in the NITC for cash prizes for the top winners.
Hosted by the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce with free public admission, the NITC starts at 10 a.m. along the downtown streets and lasts until 4 p.m. – or when food vendors close due to selling out of food. The event also features a Native dance and drum contest with cash prizes as well.
In the meantime, the Chamber is accepting applications for sponsorships, food booth contestants, vendors and judges on the event day.
“Visitors can pay $5 for the chance to judge the Indian Taco two different ways, either the Preliminary Judge or People’s Choice Award Judge,” according to a NITC Facebook post. “Limited spaces available so sign up early for judging events.”
The food booth contestants from preliminary rounds will participate in the final round to win cash prizes. First place is $1,500, second place is $1,000 and third place is $500. There will be one winner picked for the People’s Choice Award who will win $1,000.
Contestant food booths will price their own Indian taco and other food items for sale. There will be drink vendors as well.
Applications for contestants and non-food vendors are available from the Chamber office. Application fees are: Contestant booth with electric: $90; Contestant booth without electric: $75; Non-food vendor booth space: $50 without electric and $75 with electric.
For more information or questions about the NITC, call the Pawhuska Chamber of Commerce at (918) 287-1208 or email Reba@pawhuskachamber.com
Follow the “National Indian Taco Championship – Pawhuska” on Facebook for any further updates.
