By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest on Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.
(Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks)

Winners were chosen for food truck voter’s choice award at the Taco Fest. There were also winners of spicy pepper and taco-eating contests.

Lucha Libre wrestlers also provided demonstrations. Some visitors took advantage of the chance to ride the “mechanical taco.”

This Friday and Saturday, SanTan Brewing’s Oktoberfest comes to A.J. Chandler Park. Tickets can be purchased here.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.   Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, including the Eddie Van Halen band member, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

High 90s and other bands were the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

The "Michael Anthony" band member, left, and the "David Lee Roth" of theVan Halen cover band Bottoms Up jam along as they headline the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Some visitors rode the "mechanical taco" for fun at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

A Van Halen tribute band, Bottoms Up, including "Eddie" with the signature solos, headlined the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. Bottoms Up was preceded on the stage by the cover band High 90s and other entertainers.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

A spicy pepper-eating contest was part of the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park. The woman on the far right, wearing blue, won the contest.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

High 90s and other entertainers were the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

High 90s were among the stage entertainment at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Competing food trucks were a focus of the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

This "keto" soft taco was among the many relatively unique items sold at the 12th annual Rockin’ Taco Fest Sept. 14 at A.J. Chandler Park.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.