In Your Community
Celebrating All Things Tequila! The VIVA Tequila Festival will give attendees a true education about the culture and foods surrounding tequila. By Jennifer Morrell
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ore than just an ingredient in your typical margarita, tequila has become a point of celebration and rich culture in metro Atlanta. Juan Bonilla’s VIVA Tequila Festival began initially as the VIVA Tequila Dinner Series, whereby different tequilas were paired with different menu courses created by local chefs. Affectionately known as “Mr. Tequila,” Bonilla focused on the tequila pairing and the educational aspect of the dinner, a two-hour event that pleased the palate while explaining the process of making each tequila, as well as the particulars of each dish. While the dinner series drew a considerable attendance of 20 to 50 guests, a larger experience would better showcase the tequilas, fine cuisines, and historic culture of Mexico. Thus, Bonilla’s festival was born. The VIVA Tequila Festival began as a private event on a large property, with an attendance of about 200 people. This model worked for several years, so Bonilla decided
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021
to grow the festival in 2018, hosting about 2,500 guests. The festival partners with the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, which promotes awareness and action for ovarian cancer. “We are here to help those battling ovarian cancer, and we hope to educate women on the signs and symptoms of the disease,” Bonilla says. “We believe that we make a difference by helping them out in every way we can.” In the past, the festival was held at Piedmont Park, but this year it will be at Truist Park. “This year, we are expecting over 5,000 people inside the tasting area and over 10,000 people in total foot traffic on September 25, starting at noon,” Bonilla says. “It’s a Saturday, so all our guests can enjoy and relax.” “Cobb County is the perfect location as the new venue of the VIVA Tequila Festival, because of the community’s diversity, family values, and our partnership with the Atlanta Braves, who bond all of the metro Atlanta
