EVERETT — Organizers of a free family fiesta at Faith Lutheran Church are expecting gallons of salsa to be dropped off soon.

That’s because a homemade salsa contest is part of a neighborhood celebration on May 22 hosted by the church, Familias Unidas and the South Everett Neighborhood Center.

“It’s mainly just to have fun in our neighborhood and to celebrate the community we’re in, which is very diverse. I think it’s a pretty fun neighborhood too,” pastor Kari Reiten said.

The event at the church, 6708 Cady Road, is also a chance to introduce Esaú Cuvas, as the 2010-11 intern pastor at Faith Lutheran Church and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the South Everett Neighborhood Center.

“We have lots of reasons to celebrate,” Reiten said.

The church and the South Everett Neighborhood Center have partnered for the past 10 years and started an English as a second language class over a year ago together. The entities were each thinking of more they could offer people in the neighborhood and began planning the family fiesta.

The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. It will include live international music, a potluck and a bake sale. People who come to the fiesta can bring dishes to share for the potluck, said Juanita Clifford, the program coordinator at the South Everett Neighborhood Center.

There will also be pinatas and prizes, including first-, second- and third-place recognition for the best salsa entries.

“Anyone who’s there can come and sample the salsa and then they get one vote,” Clifford said.

All salsa entries must not contain any canned ingredients and will be judged based on taste, color and texture.

At least 200 people are expected to come to the family fiesta, according to Clifford, who will organize the 10th National Night Out event in the neighborhood this summer.

“Our goal is to show that partnerships can be fun and together we can make things happen for our community and our neighbors,” Clifford said.

Amy Daybert: 425-339-3491, adaybert@heraldnet.com.

Salsa Contest rules

1. No canned entries. All entries must be fresh and contain no canned ingredients.

2. Each entry must be marked as to how spicy, mild, medium, hot, extra hot or savory.

3. All entries will be tasted and judged on taste, color and texture.

4. All entrants need to submit one gallon of salsa to the Fellowship Hall of Faith Lutheran Church, 6708 Cady Road in Everett by 10 a.m. on May 22.

Anyone who wants to enter their favorite salsa recipe, or donate baked goods for the bake sale can call Juanita Clifford at 425-355-6005 for more details.