The Friday Flyer • July 24, 2015
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CANYON LAKE’S NEWSPAPER • JULY 24, 2015
'Flower Power' kids get ready to groove next weekend Pg. A11
Who is responding to fire calls in Canyon Lake? Pg.A6
Pardee asks approval of plans for Westridge development Pg.A9
Janet and Glenn Zubillaga, in front, with Gail and Rick Hauser, give thumbs to Taco Tuesday.
Taco Tuesday is more popular than ever
BY DONNA KUPKE
REPORTER, THE FRIDAY FLYER
Taco Tuesday is a popular event in Canyon Lake. Honestly, how many cit- ies hold a party for the entire community – every week – all summer long!?
But how did this party get started?
Back in the late 80s, while vacationing at “the River” in Parker, Arizona, Can- yon Lake residents Lee and Marti Norris went to the Sports Valley Restaurant for dinner. Marti enjoyed $1 tacos from the restaurant’s “Taco Thursday” menu and discovered that it was a weekly event to use up the leftovers from Wednesday’s roast beef special.
Marti soon took the idea to chef Mark Hartman at what is now the Lighthouse
Restaurant about having Taco Thursdays in Canyon Lake. The idea, according to Marti, appeared to have been shoved aside and forgotten.
When Mark didn’t take action on her idea, Marti brought it up several more times until he finally relented and said he’d give it a try. The POA agreed and approved the idea. Mark decided to go with Tuesday rather than Thursday since, apparently, “Taco Tuesdays” were just starting to pop up in a few Mexican restaurants and it seemed like a better day.
In the beginning, Taco Tuesday meant simply cheap tacos at the Lodge,. By Summer 1990, it had already become a popular event. It wasn’t long before
it grew too large and had to be moved outside to accommodate the ever-grow- ing crowds. As the years passed, Taco Tuesdays became bigger and even more popular.
In 1995, Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment was asked by former Lodge Manager Carolyn Ziu to deejay at Taco Tuesdays. Mike signed on, saying he wanted to bring a resort-type feel and more entertainment to the event.
Over the years Mike has become as much a part of Taco Tuesdays as the tacos. With his dance contests, trivia, games and music, many have said “Mike makes Taco Tuesday.” Watching him en- tertain and interact, especially with the children, it’s obvious he truly enjoys
being there.”I love the way the families of Canyon Lake come together” at Taco Tuesdays,” he says.
Taco Tuesdays have become some- thing very special and unique in Canyon Lake, according to many who attend as often as four times monthly. As one woman put it, “Where else is there a city that throws a big party for its residents, every week for the whole summer? This is a good example of life in Canyon Lake!”
The tacos are still only $1, but today’s event is a far cry from those early days 25 years ago. Where there were just a few people, there are now hundreds –
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PHOTO BY DONNA KUPKE


































































































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