Conner Museum to host first Tamalada Festival
To celebrate Hispanic culture, cuisine and traditions during Hispanic Heritage Month, the Conner Museum at Texas A&M University – Kingsville (TAMUK) will be hosting the very first Tamalada Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Conner Museum grounds.
According to the Muy Bueno Cookbook website, a tamalada is a traditional Mexican event where groups of family and friends get together to assemble tamales, and that is exactly what individuals can expect by attending the festival.
At TAMUK’s Tamalada Festival, students, faculty and staff and members of the Kingsville community can expect to learn the history and science of all things tamales and corn, as well as the cultural value of tamales.
By attending the festival, people will also have the opportunity to taste tamales from Hillcrest Tamales in Hebbronville, participate in corn husk crafts, play loteria and indulge in other family-friendly activities.
“The festival was inspired by our En Mi Familia exhibit by Carmen Lomas Garza that we brought in a couple years ago. There is an area where the artwork is a representation of a tamalada, which she created to honor that tradition,” Conner Museum Interim Director of Admissions and Operations Kathy Pawelek said. “We took components of that and decided it would be good to celebrate the value of what this means to South Texas.”
The lineup of presenters at the festival will include Javelina alumni, students and faculty and community members. However, the majority of the lineup at each area will consist of faculty and students, as the museum’s goal is to highlight their expertise and knowledge.
With this being the first Tamalada Festival at TAMUK, the Conner Museum and the university wanted a way to bring the community together during Hispanic Heritage Month.
“The Conner Museum is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. This initiative is part of our vision for the Conner Museum, as a place to create innovative activities to highlight our community’s heritage,” College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Dolores Guerrero said.
“This event celebrates Hispanic culture, family and traditions. [The festival] is scheduled during Parent Weekend so our students and their families can be part of the celebration. It is also an opportunity to bring the community and the university together.”
Any questions regarding the festival can be directed to the Museum at (361) 593-2819 or connermuseum@tamuk.edu, or to Pawelek at kathy.pawelek@tamuk.edu or (361) 593-2849.