Photo credit: Marquis Dixon, Vegas Sports Today
LAS VEGAS — The home of the Las Vegas Aviators swapped baseball bats for microphone stands Saturday as the inaugural Tacos & Tequila Festival brought hip-hop performances, food vendors and tequila to Las Vegas Ballpark for a day of music and entertainment.
Held Oct. 10, the festival featured T.I., Fat Joe, Trina, Pretty Ricky and the Yin Yang Twins, transforming the minor league baseball stadium into an outdoor concert venue that blended live music with Las Vegas’ food and nightlife culture.
For Emily, a Las Vegas resident, the ballpark’s open layout was a highlight. She appreciated having room to move around and enjoy the event without feeling crowded.
“It’s a lot of room, and it’s cool, not too packed either,” Emily said.
She also discussed the VIP experience, saying she paid approximately $100 per person for admission that included tacos and three margaritas. Looking ahead, she said she would welcome the festival’s return and suggested bringing back T.I. while adding artists such as Soulja Boy.
“Absolutely,” Emily said when asked whether she wanted the festival to return.
Camille, who moved to Las Vegas about a year ago, attended to see Trina and Pretty Ricky. She said she enjoyed Trina’s performance and supported the idea of hosting a festival on the baseball field.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Camille said of the venue.
Her outfit, featuring a cowboy hat and cowgirl boots, reflected her Houston roots. When asked about her look, she explained, “I’m from Houston, though. I gotta have the cowboy.”
The venue’s layout also impressed Dale Morgan, who pointed to the combination of entertainment and amenities as an advantage over traditional outdoor festivals.
“I love the concept and format of ballparks,” Morgan said, noting that traditional festival settings can offer limited seating.
“You have food, booze, you have a dance floor, you have ample seating for everyone,” he said. “You have a club VIP experience.”
Morgan said the inaugural event appeared to be successful but suggested organizers gather community feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Chantel also viewed the festival as a promising starting point. She said greater awareness could help attract people who missed the inaugural event.
“I think it’s like a great foundation to build on,” Chantel said.
She suggested that attendees sharing their experiences could generate interest in a future edition, particularly because the festival was a one-day event.
Sean Stewart, a festival supporter and friend of producer Jason Babel, also praised the event. Stewart said he learned about it through his connection to the producer rather than through promotional materials.
“I think it’s been a great event,” Stewart said.
He added that he was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and the overall quality of the experience.
The festival brought live music and food to a venue better known for baseball, offering attendees a different way to experience Las Vegas Ballpark.
Organizers were not interviewed for this article, and official attendance figures or plans for a second edition were not available in the material reviewed.
