Cantina la Martina is teaming up with community partner The Lighthouse to bring back the beloved La Tamalada for its fourth year.
Set for this Sunday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Mexican culinary traditions will feature a variety of tamales from local street vendors, each offering their own unique flavors and recipes.
This year’s festival will be hosted on the grounds of The Lighthouse (with on-site parking available for $10), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening North Philadelphia families and enhancing quality of life through educational, cultural, and social programs.
La Tamalada celebrates La Candelaria, a Mexican tradition that marks the end of the holiday season. It's closely connected to Rosca de Reyes (where discovering a hidden figurine in sweet bread comes with the joyful responsibility of serving tamales and atole to family and friends). What began as an intimate family tradition has since blossomed into a lively, community-wide festival, and this weekend’s celebration marks Cantina la Martina’s first event back in Philadelphia since closing its doors in Kensington in November.
“The Lighthouse does such important work supporting our friends and neighbors in Kensington and beyond, and their values are ones we deeply share,” says Mariangeli Alicea Saez, co-owner of Cantina la Martina. “This year’s La Tamalada allows us to continue showing up for our old neighborhood by collaborating with an organization that has consistently been there for the community for more than 100 years. Plus it’s going to be a very fun, delicious, family-friendly day.”
Attendees can savor creations from Karla Torres and Ernesto Ventura of La Ingrata; Esteban Morales, Mariangeli Alicea Saez and Dionicio Jiménez of Cantina la Martina; Elvia Zavala of Mija Mexican Table; Carolina López of Delicias Carolina; Pablo E. Alicea; Ana Montañez of Chef Ana’s Kitchen; and Marcos Espinoza. Adding a dash of friendly competition, the festival will host a tamale contest at 2 p.m., where participating vendors will go head-to-head for top honors.
Beyond tamales, the festival will offer a variety of beverages, including traditional favorites like atole, champurrado, tepache, and café de olla, all provided by Cantina la Martina. Tamales are priced at $6 each, with food and drinks available on a pay-as-you-go basis (note that some vendors accept cash only). And finally, families will find plenty of fun beyond the food. The Lighthouse will host games, artisan vendors, hayrides, barrel rides, and a petting zoo featuring horses, goats, pigs, and much more.
To find out more information on Cantina la Martina’s La Tamalada at The Lighthouse (101 E Erie Ave.), visit cantinalamartinapa.com
