Things will be heating up as the New Mexico Centennial kicks off with SalsaFest at the Las Cruces downtown mall on Aug. 27-28. It all begins on Saturday, Aug. 27, with the SalsaFest! Eve Gala on Main Street with fine local cuisine, drinks, music, dancing under the stars and New Mexico Centennial Balloon glow from 6-9 p.m. The fun continues Sunday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at La Placita and Main Street with salsa tasting, music, Zumba & Salsa dancing, food &craft vendors, storytelling and more! Local salsa chefs, both professional and amateur, will vie for top prizes as they create an array of delicious, fresh salsas. As the official statewide kickoff for the 2012 Centennial celebration, SalsaFest! is being promoted around New Mexico and the Southwestern region, so that new markets will become aware of exciting events occurring in Southern New Mexico. This year’s expanded SalsaFest! will stretch along four blocks of Main Street and La Placita, allowing for easy access to salsa tasting booths as well as food and craft vendors. With two music & dance stages, there will be ample room for all enthusiasts to try some Salsa and Zumba dancing. This is the perfect event for fans of great, fresh New Mexican cuisine. Easy access for tour buses is available close to Main Street. For more information, or for salsa chef applications, food vendor information and sponsorship pacakages, contact the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership at 575-525-1955, and via email: downtown@dlcp.org.