A Lot of Something Spicy on the Side

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t get salsa-fied (that’s satisfied with a peppery twist) often enough, imagine a spot with 50 different flavors, from fruity to fiery. But that’s just part of the fun, for the 17th Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, July 24-25 (Plaza Park, 4th & B sts., oxnardsalsafestival.com), brings the music and dance, as well as the delectable condiment. In addition to the salsa-tasting tent, there are two international food courts, proving salsas aren’t just for Mexican food anymore, as you can munch down on tasties like fish tacos, empanadas, and Thai food. If you’re a spice-slinger yourself, you might want to enter Sunday’s Great Oxnard Salsa Challenge and wow the judges and maybe win a $150 cash prize—that’ll buy you a lot of bags of chips. There’s also a Dancing with Our Community Stars event that might be tasty for your eyes before you dig back into the good sauce. Even better, the Oxnard Salsa Festival has raised more than $115,000 over the past three years for local charities.