Party With A Purpose

TacoMania • October 8, 2026 at the Rusty Rudder

Thank you to our Title Sponsor

The Ultimate Taco + Margarita Throwdown in the 302 on October 8th

Time: VIP HOUR 5:00 • Event 6:00-8:30
Location: The Rusty Rudder, Dewey Beach

TacoMania is not your average food festival. It’s an all-out banger celebration of flavor, creativity, and community spirit, brought to life by the best chefs, bartenders, and artists in the region.

Each year, over 25 of your favorite local restaurants and mixologists compete head-to-head in the ultimate taco and margarita competition. You sample, vote, & decide who takes home the trophies home.

From unforgettable bites and bold drinks to original artwork and live music, TacoMania brings it all, right to the heart of Dewey Beach.

Interested in being a TacoMania Sponsor?

View our sponsorship packages below or contact us at events@developingarts.org for more details

Learn How to Sponsor

Choose Your Flavor of Access

NEW Super VVIP Table Experience $1000 Donation

(6) VVIP Access Tickets($900 Value)
Private Table in our NEW VVIP Section with exclusive tasting access
Exclusive 1-hour early entry starting at 5:00 PM
Unlimited taco + margarita tastings from 25+ restaurants
Complimentary tequila tasting featuring premium tequilas
Thank-you gift for VIP guests
VVIP access continues through the end of the event
Only 10 VVIP Experiences available
VIP Access Ticket $150 Donation

For the true TacoMania superfan.
Exclusive 1-hour early entry starting at 5:00 PM
Unlimited taco + margarita tastings from 25+ restaurants
Complimentary tequila tasting featuring premium tequilas
Thank-you gift for VIP guests
VIP access continues through the end of the event
Only 75 VIP tickets available
General Admission $75 Donation

$75 Donation - $69 Donation PRE-SALE Use code ILOVEDAC for a discount on General Admission tickets (Expires August 3 at 11:59PM)
Entry at 6:00 PM, Rudder Bar open for you to enjoy if you arrive early!
Unlimited taco + margarita tastings from 25+ local restaurants and bars
Live music by Lower Case Blues
Full access to the event, the Skull Gallery

Use code ILOVEDAC for a discount on General Admission tickets (Expires August 3 at 11:59PM)

TacoMania has raised us over $250,000 since 2017!

TacoMania isn't just a taco battle, it's the Developing Artist Collaboration's largest fundraiser of the year.

Every ticket sold helps local artists turn their creativity into sustainable careers by funding affordable studio space, professional development, exhibitions, public art, and creative programs that strengthen our community.

When artists succeed, our entire region benefits. They start businesses, activate public spaces, attract visitors, and make Southern Delaware a more vibrant place to live, work, and visit.

By attending TacoMania, you're doing more than enjoying incredible tacos, you’re investing in the people and ideas that shape our community.

And we can all agree that taco’s are a work of art. So come eat tacos. Support artists. Build community. Let’s Party!

Want to Attend TacoMania for Free?

TacoMania wouldn't be possible without an incredible team of volunteers. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are ready to roll up their sleeves, support local artists, and help create an unforgettable experience for our community.

As a thank-you, volunteers receive complimentary admission to TacoMania during their off-shift, so you can enjoy the food, art, and festivities too!

Ready to join the team?
Click the link below to sign up and be part of TacoMania 2026.

Volunteer Sign-Up

THREE CHANCES to Sponsor TacoMania

Sugar Skull Gallery Sponsor $2500 Donation
Only 1 Available
The Sugar Skull Gallery showcases one-of-a-kind works created by local artists and serves as the centerpiece of TacoMania's silent auction. As the exclusive Sugar Skull Gallery Sponsor, you'll help spotlight regional talent while supporting DAC's mission to empower artists through creative opportunities.
Benefits include:
- Exclusive presenting sponsorship of the TacoMania Sugar Skull Gallery & Silent Auction
- Opportunity to present the "Best in Show" Sugar Skull Award
- Prominent logo placement throughout the Sugar Skull Gallery
- Live recognition during silent auction announcements
- Dedicated social media feature video (estimated reach: 5,000)
- Logo placement on the TacoMania website and event marketing materials
- Reserved Super VVIP Experience table for 8 guests (a $900 value) in our exclusive Super VVIP lounge
Taco Throwdown Sponsor $2500 Donation
Only 1 Available
The Creative Taco Competition is the heart of TacoMania, bringing together local restaurants and chefs to showcase their creativity, connect with the community, and compete for the coveted Creative Taco Award. As the exclusive competition sponsor, your business will be front and center during one of the event's most anticipated experiences.
Benefits include:
- Exclusive "Creative Taco Competition Presented By" recognition
- Opportunity to present the Creative Taco Award trophies to the winning restaurants
- Prominent logo placement throughout the tasting and competition areas
- Live recognition during the Taco Awards presentation
- Logo placement on TacoMania event signage, website, and marketing materials
- Dedicated social media feature video (estimated reach: 5,000)
- Reserved Super VVIP Experience table for 8 guests (a $1,200 value) in our exclusive Super VVIP lounge
Margarita Showdown Sponsor $2500 Donation
Only 1 Available
The Margarita Rim Competition celebrates the creativity and craftsmanship of local restaurants and bartenders as they compete for the coveted Best Margarita and Best Rim Job awards. As the exclusive competition sponsor, your brand will be front and center during one of the event's most interactive and talked-about experiences.
Benefits include:
- Exclusive "Margarita & Best Rim Job Competition Presented By" recognition
- Opportunity to present the Margarita Competition awards to the winning restaurants
- Prominent logo placement throughout the margarita tasting and competition areas
- Live recognition during the awards presentation
- Logo placement on the TacoMania website and event marketing materials
- Dedicated social media feature video (estimated reach: 5,000)
- Reserved Super VVIP Experience table for 8 guests (a $1,200 value) in our exclusive Super VVIP lounge

Check Out Our Partnership Video We Did with MF Heat Co in 2025

We take sponsorship serious around here. Whenever we have folks invest in DAC, we create incredible opportunities to share about their brand. In 2025, MF Heat Co donated 250 bottles of their famous hot sauce to be a TacoMania Sponsor.

This partnership led to each VIP guest and competitor getting a great one of a kind gift. As part of MF Heat Co.’s sponsorship partnership we created this video to share about the collaboration.

Tim, co-owner of MF Heat Co., told us this partnership video was one of their best preforming posts in 2025!

Our TacoMania Partners

Highway One

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Highway One (they donate the venue to us!!), TacoMania tis proudly honestly by the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach! More space, more competitors, and the best vibe on the beach.

Visit the Rudder
Corralejo

Did you know ALL of the tequila for this event is donated? Big thanks to Breakthru Beverage and the incredible Corralejo tequila brand for making our margarita dreams come true, year after year.

Explore Corralejo
DJ JY

Jimmy Young, our hero. He has donated his DJ services all 9 years of TacoMania! Go say hi to him at Nalu, and hire him to be your DJ!!
Justin Casanova

Justin is an incredible photographer and volunteered to capture photos at TacoMania in 2025 on his film camera. We wanted to show him some love for his beautiful work.

Follow Justin on Instagram

Have some questions

about TacoMania?

• Refund Policy: We are happy to give refunds for your ticket if you can't make the event. There will be a $5 processing fee per ticket. There will be no refunds within 7 days of the event. We do not honor tickets that have been resold, please reach out to us if you have questions hello@developingarts.org
This is not a kid friendly event, please call a sitter for this one. We do NOT allow guests under 21. We are sorry, but we are unable to monitor underage drinking so please do not buy a ticket for anyone under 21.
Many of our competitors offer tacos where the protein can be optional. There are plenty of margaritas to enjoy, and there are usually many restaurants that can modify your sample.
YES! You still get to enjoy all of the tacos PLUS many restaurants can modify your sample in some cases to not have alcohol in it. There are NA options at the bar for purchase.
We highly recommend the NEW SUPER VVIP Table Experience. It is a $1000 donation for (6) VIP TIckets *$900 value, a exclusive table in a private area with premium event access, plus many other perks.
We set up our skull auction on the same platform that you purchase your ticket. You can easily bid on a skull until the auction ends at 8:00PM prior to the awards so you can take it home with you. If you leave early and you bid on a skull and win, we can arrange skull pickup after the event.
We invite competitors due to limited space, but please reach out to us. We love to welcome new competitors events@developingarts.org!