image of margaritas
Brian Chilson

image of margaritasBrian Chilson

What says spring like salt, lime juice and tequila? Come savor the season with salsa moves and swill at the third annual Arkansas Times Margarita Festival, presented by Milagro Tequila, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 2, on the field of War Memorial Stadium (or in the concourse if it’s raining). Central Arkansas’s top bartenders will be on hand slinging their unique takes on the classic cocktail. Each festivalgoer will get a punchcard on which they can vote for their favorite margarita. A winner will be crowned at the end of the evening.

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Tickets are $35 at the door or online. Buy them in advance at centralarkansastickets.com. Don’t dawdle; we expect to sell out.

The competitors include Little Rock’s Atlas Bar, Colonial Wine & Spirits, DoubleTree’s Bridges Restaurant and Lounge, Dos Rocas Beer & Tacos, La Terraza Rum & Lounge, Prospect Sports Bar and Grill and Samantha’s Taproom & Wood Grill. From Hot Springs, the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Bleu Monkey Grill, Capo’s Tacos, The Ohio Club, Silks Bar & Grill at Oaklawn, the Starlite Club, Taco Mama and Turner Bartending are sending their mix masters.*

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Most of our competitors were still finalizing their plans for the event when we checked in with them, but we did hear word of three twists on the classic: spicy, strawberry and blackberry.

Taco Mama, La Terraza and the Rock Brick Oven Pizza Truck will be selling food. Club 27 and Little Rock Salsa will keep the party dancing with salsa and Jimmy Buffett music. Orion Federal Credit Union is a sponsor. Collins, Collins, & Ray P.A. is the wristband sponsor.

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*A previous version of this article said O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor would be competing. That’s no longer the case.