Yuma - Spice Up Spring With Tunes & Tacos

YUMA, ARIZONA - Want to add some sizzle to your spring? Head to the world's sunniest city for a festival that celebrates the hot and tasty in both food AND music.

Tejano favorites the Kumbia King AllStarz headline the evening concert at the Yuma Tunes & Tacos Festival April 11 on the green grass of Desert Sun Stadium (1280 W. Desert Sun Drive). But as in any authentic taqueria, there are lots of free garnishes to go with the 'carne' of the ticketed concert, so come early and load up:

The taco part of the Tunes & Tacos Festival folds in 12 hours of free family fun from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. - and it's all at the same location, with plenty of free parking.

More than 50 food vendors will compete to be crowned Yuma's Taco King - you'll find every kind of taco, along with empanadas, barbecue, roasted corn and more.

Wash down your tacos with plenty of frosty margaritas, ice-cold beer, soft drinks, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.

Enjoy free entertainment, traditional performers and groups and eating contests on the Taco Festival CenturyLink Community Stage all day long.

Free KidsZone with bouncers, inflatables and carnival rides, along with face-painting, piñatas and more - unlimited play during festival hours, courtesy of sponsors Yuma Pest, Mama Bella's Hot Sauce and Del Sol Food Markets.

Shop the day away with more than 40 vendors offering gourmet salsas, boutique clothing & accessories, garden art, souvenirs, home décor, cultural crafts and more.

Get the party started early at the free People's Choice Salsa Queen competition from 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 10 - vote for your favorite and enjoy a festive art display.

As the sun starts to go down, the music heats up -- so grab your blankets or camp chairs for the big concert on the Bill Alexander Automotive Center Stage. It's festival-style lawn seating, so be there when gates open at 4 p.m., with performances starting at 5:30 p.m.

Yuma native Tanner Gomes and his band -- winner of the local edition of the Texaco Country Showdown in 2014 -- kick things off, followed by the bluesy soul of San Diego's

Dennis Jones Band (7-8:30 p.m.), all topped off by a sizzling set from A.B. Quintanilla and his Kumbia King AllStarz (9-10:30 p.m.).

Advance purchase tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for military, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids age 5 or younger. At the gate, tickets will be $20 for adults, $15 for military, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and free for kids age 5 or younger. Tickets are on sale now at Yuma City Hall, Yuma Civic Center and Yuma Art Center, or online at TunesandTacos.com.

This event is organized by the City of Yuma - for more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation department at 928-373-5200, parksandrec@yumaaz.gov.