It's time to celebrate the true stars of the 33rd Indio International Tamale Festival.

This year's festival will take place 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7 at Miles Avenue Park in downtown Indio. More than 20 vendors will be on hand, each serving their own take of the tamale — masa wrapped in a corn husk and steamed with sweet or savory fillings.

And for those willing to put their appetite to the test, Saturday's tamale eating contest gives competitors two minutes to eat as many tamales as they can. Last year's champion managed five, but the record of eight tamales remains the one to beat.

Every vendor brings something different to the table, and surely locals have that one tamale they look forward to all year.

In 2024, Smokey Lips BBQ won first place in the trad

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