664565 Tue Nov 03 21:44:35 -0800 2009 10 2 Los Angeles Area 0 5154088 I tried searching the board, but couldn't find a review. Has anyone ever been? Would love to get your thoughts, if you have been. The hubby loves tamales, and I would like to take him provided that it's worth going. Here's a link for more info for those of whom might be interested. http://www.showclix.com/event/5656/ Thanks! Tue Nov 03 21:44:35 -0800 2009 142682 attran99 1 5156814 I think this is the official web site here: http://www.eastlosangeles.net/tamalefestival/index.html BTW there is an one day admission fee of $5. Someone else may confirm, but is this the festival that used to be at MacArthur Park? Wed Nov 04 18:15:16 -0800 2009 5154088 23712 DiveFan 2 5162686 The website has pictures of past years tamale festivals. They do show that it was held in the street next to McArthur Park. I went to one of them a few years ago and thought it was okay but nothing compared to the Indio Tamale Festival held annually in December. Fri Nov 06 21:16:54 -0800 2009 5156814 19094 Sam D. 1 5156877 i was there. I would not recommend it. If you want great tamales, search tamales. Wed Nov 04 18:38:24 -0800 2009 5154088 251532 bgazindad 1 5159872 Thanks for your honest reviews. I think the lackluster responses are good enough to keep us away. Now gotta find some good tamale makers to satisfy the hubby's love of tamales...will search the boards for that. Thu Nov 05 19:33:12 -0800 2009 5154088 142682 attran99 1 5160168 attran99 - If the vendor list was comparable to last year's Macarthur Park tamale festival, I'd try it out. I've been to all of those and only the one two years ago was off. Check out my LA Tamale list for possibilities: http://www.chow.com/lists/3606 I REALLY hope that Chow will improve the List feature to allow more than 25 places - I'm at the limit! Fri Nov 06 00:34:50 -0800 2009 5154088 23712 DiveFan 2 5162751 So start a second list and link it to the first... Fri Nov 06 22:24:53 -0800 2009 5160168 11300 Muskrat 1 5165316 We went a few years ago when it was downtown. I remember it as being crowded, with long lines for the "good" tamale stands. You know, I'm kind of done with festivals. I'm constantly disappointed. A few bright spots have been the Oxnard salsa festival and the Tofu festival; but the Scandanavian festivals, Oaxacan festivals, crawfish festival, Greek festivals, etc. were letdowns. Now I just go to the actual restaurants to find what I like. Sun Nov 08 12:49:44 -0800 2009 5154088 13464 lil mikey 1 5185400 I went to this event on Saturday, and guess what people? There was no event.! I don't really know if it was an internet scam, just to try to get you to purchase prepaid tickets. Or maybe it was just canceled all together. The event was supposed to be held at the, "LA Historic Civic Park". The park is located near Chinatown. Since I didn't buy any prepaid tickets, I got over it and went to BJ's and had a fantastic time. Mon Nov 16 08:51:13 -0800 2009 5154088 1100896 Elizasmash 2 5185545 Could it be because they changed their location? =( From the website: We have moved the 5th Annual Los Angeles International Tamale Festival to 6700 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90001 http://www.eastlosangeles.net/tamalefestival/ Mon Nov 16 09:30:28 -0800 2009 5185400 12873 OCAnn 2 5186205 No wonder I was confused, they've had the festival in several locations? Also, someone may have realized that it would have conflicted with the opening of the Gold Line East Extension, not far from Chinatown. Or maybe not, some restos and booths at the Mariachi Plaza block party ran out of food early... Mon Nov 16 12:55:47 -0800 2009 5185400 23712 DiveFan