It's time to kick up the heat with the City of Bloomington and Bloomingfoods 31st annual Salsa Contest!

Take part in the food showdown of the year with your own locally-crafted salsa recipes. Entries for the city's best homemade salsa will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges.

Even if you don’t enter, plan on joining the fun! You’ll have a chance to taste the contest salsas (while supplies last) as well as some salsas made by Bivi's Tamales. The folks at Upland Brewing Company will provide a salsa-making demonstration at 10:15 a.m.

Salsa Dance Demonstration and Party at 11 am! Presented in cooperation with Arthur Murray Dance Center Bloomington, Indiana, the annual salsa dance demonstration and party is afoot! Latin rhythms and lively dancing take place on Showers Plaza in conjunction with the Salsa Contest. Look cool; dance HOT! For more information call 812-334-0553.

Beginning June 1, contestants can purchase entry packets for $5 at Bloomingfoods East (3220 E 3rd St) or Bloomingfoods Near West (316 W 6th St). Entry packets include:
- An entry form with space to include your best salsa recipe
- Two 16 oz containers for salsa
- A bag to place them in
- A $5 Bloomingfoods gift card to help you get started buying your salsa ingredients

Entry packets must be returned to Bfoods East or West no later than 8pm on Friday, August 2.

Contest Rules: Salsas should be entirely handmade with fresh ingredients; no additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, or processed sauces allowed.

Twenty entries in each of the three categories (tomato-based raw, tomato-based cooked and specialty) are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. All the ingredients in raw salsa must be completely uncooked (no smoking, braising, roasting, etc.) Specialty salsas may include tomatoes, but not as a main ingredient. Judges and their family members are not eligible to participate. Limit of one entry per category per person. Winners will be announced at the event around 11 a.m.

Judging takes place at the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 3. First, second and third place prizes are awarded in each of the categories.