One of the parties we attended is an annual event in Yuma.  This is the Tunes & Tacos Festival where some fifty trucks and stands are set up at the Desert Sun Stadium.    Also there was a taco cook-off with stands competing for honors with a team of judges deciding the winners. 
     Locals and visitors alike have some outstanding facilities for play and pleasure.  The Yuma Civic Center provides both with a huge amount of space for social events like reunions, banquets and weddings.  In all there are seventeen rooms which can be used for private events with in-house catering.  Carrie Ring, Events Specialist, explained all to us adding that it has been serving the community since 1974.  
     Located adjacent is the Desert Sun Stadium and Fairgrounds where the  annual Taco Festival takes place. Also the Desert Hills Golf Course which has been named Arizona's best Municipal Course.
     Another event taking place at the Yuma Civic Center was the People's Choice Salsa Queen Competition and Kick-off Party .  To say that this was well attended was an understatement.  Soon the corn chips were out and the tasting of the best salsas in town was taking place along with the music and dancing.
      Then it was an al fresco dinner with Chef Juan on the Sunset Terrace of the Civic Center overlooking the golf course.  With imported Cerveza or Margarita de la Casa for beverages we enjoyed Carne Asada Tacos with beef then chicken Adobo Tacos with shredded chicken breast, followed with Mexican street corn  mixed with a creamy cheesy sauce.  This took place as the sun was setting on a perfect Spring evening.
      Our partying continued at the Penitentiary Pint Fest which took place on the grounds of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park.  Here 24 craft breweries had stands offering samples of their favorite products.  On arriving we were given a miniature mug and a ticket displaying 24 places for sampling. 
   There was  also live music and opportunities to enjoy burgers with the brews.  It was a charity event sponsored by the Fort Yuma Rotary Club.
     That afternoon we made a visit to the museum of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Park.  We had been there before but it was a new exciting experience for one of the other  travel writers.  We much enjoyed looking at some of the movies that had been made on location at the prison through the years.