Culver City Observer -

Want to double your fun? Easy, with TWO iconic Tito’s determined to provide a taco Tuesday that is truly olé-worthy.

It’s that serendipitous time again, Oct. 4, not only National taco Day AND National Vodka Day but this year coinciding with taco Tuesday -- and during National Hispanic Heritage Month, no less. This fifth annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana is a wonderful fundraiser that benefits the Culver City Arts Foundation (https://culverarts.org/) and is put on by Tito’s Tacos (https://www.titostacos.com/) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka (https://www.titosvodka.com/), organizations that truly have a heart for the arts.

Founded in 1959 by Benjamin Davidson and now run by his granddaughter Lynne Davidson, Tito’s Tacos is an iconic Mexican fast casual restaurant in Los Angeles. Known for its “folded” hard shell tacos and burritos beloved by celebrities, locals and visitors, Tito’s menu features crispy beef tacos, tamales, burritos, enchiladas, tostadas and guacamole, among other dishes. The award-winning cuisine is made from scratch using original recipes and served to thousands of loyal fans daily, often by employees who have been with Tito’s for decades.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka was founded by sixth-generation Texan, Bert “Tito” Beveridge. In the mid-nineties, on a plot of land in rural Austin, he built a 998 square foot shack, rigged a pot still with spare parts, and created Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Tito’s corn-based vodka is certified gluten free. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is distilled and bottled by Fifth Generation, Inc. in Austin, Texas, and is available in Liter, 1.75L, 750ml, 375ml, 200ml, and 50ml sizes.

Culver City Arts Foundation (aka Culver Arts) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to support local artists and arts organizations. Its mission is to preserve the past, enrich the present, and create the future of arts and culture in Culver City. Culver Arts is comprised of community leaders who volunteer their time, experience and resources for the growth of arts in Culver City.

Jim Clarke, Chair of Culver Arts, is happily looking forward to Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana, a delightful outdoor event that so generously supports the arts in Culver City.

“Besides Tito's Fiesta Mexicana being Culver Arts’ biggest fundraiser each year, the event brings together our community for a fun-filled day that celebrates the rich Mexican culture during Hispanic Heritage Month,” he said. “What is particularly exciting about this year's event is that it is on a Tuesday -- and everyone knows Tuesday is taco Tuesday. We anticipate a large crowd.”

All of the proceeds from the event will go to Culver Arts. The event has raised over $50,000 since its inception in 2018, with this year’s donation expected to increase significantly.

The very reasonable price of admission is $30 for Responsible Partygoers, offering three refreshing Tito’s Handmade Vodka specialty cocktails, and $15 for Non-alcohol Partygoers, offering PepsiCo soft drinks. Each includes family-friendly Mexican entertainment and three award-winning Tito’s Tacos food items.

Because parking is very limited, arrangements have been made for parking at Harbor Freight Tools at 4545 Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City, with shuttle service to and from the event.

Alternatively, attendees can ride Culver CityBus to Titos’s Fiesta Mexicana and get $5 off the admission price. Just let the bus driver know you are heading to the event, and you’ll receive an admission coupon. Connect from the Metro to Culver CityBus Lines 1, 6, or 7. Please contact Culver CityBus to plan your trip by visiting culvercitybus.com, using the Next CCBus app, or calling (310) 253-6500.

Wirt Morton, co-owner of Tito’s Tacos with wife Lynne Davidson, expressed his delight to co-host this event.

“We at Tito’s Tacos are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Tito’s Handmade Vodka for our Fifth Annual Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana that brings people together for delicious food and drinks, traditional Mexican entertainment including world class mariachis and folklorico dancers and comedy, all with our master of ceremonies, the hilarious Eric Schwartz, to raise money for the Culver City Arts Foundation, supporting local artists,” he said. “This wonderful fundraising event has become something that people all over the city look forward to each year and is a jam-packed day of fun for the entire family.”

His sentiments were echoed by Brian Herlihy, Field Sales Manager at Tito's Handmade Vodka.

“We’re thrilled to once again work with Tito’s Tacos to host Tito’s Fiesta Mexicana,” he said. “One of our core pillars at Tito’s is giving back to the communities around us through our philanthropic programs. This year, for National Vodka Day, we’re looking forward to celebrating this festive occasion, all while raising funds for the Culver City Arts Foundation.”

The place to be on Tuesday, October 4 from 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. is definitely Tito’s Tacos at 11222 Washington Place, Culver City, CA 90230 where, along with delicious award-winning tacos and Tito’s Handmade Vodka specialty cocktails, attendees will enjoy seven hours of nonstop Mexican entertainment by traditional mariachi artists including Grammy Award-nominated Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez, all-female favorites Mariachi Reyna De Los Angeles, and Trio Chapala; folklorico dancers DanzArts/Sabor a Mexico Dance Company; and a special appearance by standup comic Jesus Trejo. The entire day of entertaining will be smoothly orchestrated by Master of Ceremonies comedian Eric Schwartz aka “Smooth-E.”

There’s a Spanish saying, “no cuentes los días, haz que los días cuenten”(don’t count the days, make the days count). And what better way to make a day count than by having a terrific time while supporting a good cause?

See you at the Fiesta!