It’s tequila time. CityBeat’s annual Margarita Madness event returns to Newport for an early salute to summer. And this time, we’re taking over the Purple People Bridge.

A slew of local margarita makers — restaurants, bars and entertainment destinations — will be serving up their best tequila creations in a friendly margarita throw-down competition. Tickets include 10 drink tickets to sample 10 margaritas and one special token to vote for your favorite cocktail to win a coveted People’s Choice award. Local guest judges will also be on hand to offer their input to bestow awards like Most Creative Margarita.

Dance to live music from the Sunburners while snacking on food samples and judging the city’s best guacamole in the annual Guac Off competition.

5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. $40. Purple People Bridge, Newport, margaritamadnesscincy.com.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Lalo Spicy Cucumber Margarita — fresh cucumber, jalapeño, agave nectar, triple sec and tequila Tamarind Margarita — housemade fresh tamarind pulp, triple sec, agave nectar and tequila with a spicy salt rim Curry chicken empanadas, pork spring rolls and veggie spring rolls Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Gomez Salsa Photo: Provided
Bakersfield OTR Photo: Provided
Bakersfield OTR Chips and guac, plus chips and salsa Photo: Provided
Condado Tacos Photo: Provided
Rosedale OTR Rosedale’s Famous Margarita — handcrafted with tequila, agave and fresh-squeezed citrus Photo: Provided
Axis Alley The Picante Pineapple margarita — pineapple juice, agave and jalapeño Photo: Provided
GameWorks Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita Tex Mex Rolls — fried tortillas filled with chicken, cheese, jalapeño, black beans and corn. Photo: Provided
Keystone Bar & Grill Keystone’s classic margarita Photo: Provided
Keystone Bar & Grill Southwest mac & cheese Photo: Ty Wesselkamper
Cactus Pear Prickly Pear Margarita Photo: Provided
McCormick & Schmick’s Classic margarita — fresh lime juice, simple syrup, triple sec and a salted rim Photo: Provided
McCormick & Schmick’s Chips and a classic tomato based salsa with a seafood twist Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Chart House Ginger Margarita — fresh lemon and lime juice and ginger liquor Baja Ceviche — white fish with tomato, onion and jalapeño with fresh lime juice Photo: Provided
Sammy’s A margarita with exotic fruit flavors Tacos carnitas Photo: Provided
Revel OTR Red Top Margarita — a traditional margarita topped with a deep red layer of Malbec Photo: Provided
Alfot at Newport on the Levee A margarita with tequila, triple sec, Dekuyper pomegranate and lime Photo: Provided
The Pub Jalapeño Margarita — 1800 Silver Tequila, triple sec, pineapple juice, lime agave and jalapeño slices Shepherd’s Pie — lamb and beef mix, Bordelaise, peas and carrots, smashed potatoes mozzarella-parmesan bread crumbles Photo: Provided
Americano Burger Bar Margarita Azul — a classic with a twist made with Milagro tequila, hand-squeezed sour mix and Blue Curacao Photo: Provided
Americano Burger Bar Smokey Parmesan Street Corn — charred fresh corn, smoked paprika and parmesan Photo: Provided
Queen City Hemp CBD Infused Guava Margarita Photo: Provided