The third annual Taco Throwdown is set for Friday, Sept. 25, at RB&W Park in Rock Falls. The event runs from 4 to 10 p.m. and combines food, entertainment, and community fun along the Rock River.
Ten Taco Trucks Compete for Your Vote
The Taco Throwdown celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month while adding a fun, food-focused twist. Ten taco trucks will be on hand, along with other food and beverage options.
Attendees can sample a featured $2 taco from participating taco trucks and vote for their favorite. The featured taco can vary in size depending on the vendor, allowing each truck to showcase something unique.
Voting can be done at the Rock Falls Tourism tent or through a QR code available near participating taco trucks.
Burritos have won the best taco competition during the first two years of the event, but with ten trucks competing again this year, other vendors will be looking to claim the title.
Because of the popularity of the event, visitors should be prepared for lines. Organizers recommend arriving early and using a divide-and-conquer strategy with family and friends to sample tacos from multiple trucks.
Taco Eating Contest Returns
For those looking to take their taco experience to another level, the Taco Throwdown will also feature its annual taco eating contest.
Only 10 competitors can participate, and registration is required. At the time of the podcast recording, only three spots remained.
The entry fee is $20, and competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many tacos as possible. The tacos are prepared specifically for the contest with corn tortillas, hamburger, onions, and seasonings, without the lettuce and tomato toppings normally associated with a traditional taco.
Last year’s winner consumed 16 tacos in 10 minutes and took home $100 and a trophy. The previous two competitions were won by the same competitor from Wooddale, Illinois, who participates in eating competitions.
The contest has become part of the entertainment of the event, with competitors developing their own strategies for eating as many tacos as possible.
ZOWA Live Brings Wrestling to the Riverfront
ZOWA Live will once again provide professional wrestling entertainment at the Taco Throwdown.
According to Zschiesche, the Taco Throwdown has become ZOWA’s largest show of the year. This year’s lineup will focus heavily on local ZOWA talent rather than bringing in wrestlers from across the Midwest.
The card will feature approximately seven bouts, including a semifinal match in ZOWA’s championship tournament that will serve as the main event.
Local wrestlers scheduled to appear include Jud the Janitor and The Florida Man, who performs under the nickname despite living in Sterling.
ZOWA will divide its performance into two portions during the evening. The first hour of wrestling will be followed by the taco-eating contest, with another hour of wrestling afterward.
The event’s riverfront setting and RB&W Park stage provide a unique backdrop for the wrestling show. ZOWA will also introduce a new look for its wrestling ring this year.
The free wrestling show offers attendees an opportunity to experience ZOWA Live in a family-friendly environment. Zschiesche explained that children are a major part of the audience, with parents often becoming invested in the action as they watch their kids get involved.
More Fall Events Coming to Rock Falls
Rock Falls Tourism also has several other fall events planned following the Taco Throwdown.
The following weekend will feature a lumberjack show at Selmi’s. Lumberjack Enterprises will present three shows at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., featuring professional lumberjacks and demonstrations.
The event will also include a women’s skillet throwing contest. Registration is available for women who want to participate.
On Oct. 17, Rock Falls will host its Halloween Lighted Golf Cart and UTV Parade. The parade will begin at Rock Falls High School and finish on Second Avenue.
The parade brought approximately 25 entries last year, with community members decorating golf carts and side-by-sides with Halloween-themed displays. The parade begins around 6:30 p.m., allowing the lights and decorations to stand out as darkness settles in.
ZOWA Live also has additional fall shows planned, including a return to the Nelson classroom and a November appearance featuring Hacksaw Jimmy Dugan.
A Full Evening of Food and Entertainment
With ten taco trucks, a taco eating contest, live wrestling and a DJ scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m., the Taco Throwdown offers a full evening of entertainment at RB&W Park.
The combination of food, music, wrestling, and community activities has helped make the event a major part of Rock Falls’ fall calendar. With the third annual Taco Throwdown bringing the event back to the riverfront, organizers are preparing for another busy night of tacos, competition, and entertainment.
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