One of the best things about the fall season is that we are no longer desperately trying to fit into that smaller sized bathing suit for weekend pool parties—instead, fun events involving food, food and more food abound. And the best part is, we don’t feel one ounce of guilt for indulging! This weekend, be sure to attend the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance’s Food, Art & Wine Festival, in which you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in more ways than one.

A great place to gather with friends and family and enjoy a delicious day out, the Southern Arizona Food, Art & Wine Festival presented by the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance will take place this Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17 and 18, at the Rillito Raceway Park. Held inside the race track on the soccer fields, the two-day festival is estimated to attract 10,000 to 15,000 visitors. Featured events will include live music, cooking demos, celebrity chefs, culinary themed art vendors, food tastings and vendors from local restaurants, regional wines and much more. Be sure to bring the kids to this festival, because it will also include children’s cooking and art activities.

As well as the aforementioned activities and attractions, the Southern Arizona Food, Art & Wine Festival will also host many entertaining contests and competitions. Here are a few to look forward to:

Saturday Contests:

El Charro Championship Tamale Eating Contest: Contestants try to cram as many tamales into their mouths as they can within a five minute period. 1:00-1:45 p.m.

Pizza Tossing Contest: Pizza dough artists compete to find out who the best pizza tosser in town is. 3:00-3:45 p.m.

Food Guessing Contest: A celebrity panel tries to guess what they are eating while blindfolded. 4:15-4:45 p.m.

Mixed Drink Competition: With a base of red or white wine, local celebrities, bartenders and culinary artists create their version of the best mixed drink. 5:00-5:45 p.m.

Sunday Contests:

Fruit Carving Demo & Contest: Local celebrities carve their way through melons as culinary artists guide them through the process. 1:00-1:45 p.m.

Ice Carving Contest: Tucson’s best ice carvers compete on the main stage to see who comes out on top. 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Salsa Making Contest: Competitors battle it out for the title of the best salsa maker in Tucson. 3:00-3:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Carving Competition: What is a fall festival without pumpkins? Kids of all ages compete for the best pumpkin carving, with the incentive of the winner’s design being proudly displayed before festival goers. 4:00-4:30 p.m.

Entry to the Southern Arizona Food, Art & Wine Festival is $5 for adults, and kids under 12 get in free. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the festival, visit www.southernazfestivals.org.