LOCAL EVENTS
“Come taste Tex-Mex tradition” is the motto of the Hill Country Cookoff Association. One can taste that tradition during their annual Cinco de Mayo Menudo Throwdown on May 3 at the Hays County Courthouse lawn. The event is so much more than your typical cookoff, it’s designed to not only fill your bellies but fill your hearts. Every year the event sponsors a child in need who is battling cancer, with proceeds from the event funding their recovery and medical bills. This year will benefit Ellianna Rios, an eight year old from New Braunfels fighting leukemia. The event also benefits the community, from the menudo makers to the menudo munchers, the public is invited to come taste what it’s all about.
The event starts early, so skip breakfast and get your fill of menudo, fideo loco, borracho beans and carne guisada. All items will be judged by the public resulting in cash prize winners. Public tasting starts at 11 a.m. with $5 sampling packs, which include 5 cups. DJ Julius will be bringing the beats starting at 9 a.m., followed by a performance by the San Marcos High School Mariachi Nuevo Cascabel at 10 a.m. For those who are really hungry, there will be a big burrito eating challenge that starts at 3:30 p.m. with a first place prize of $100. There’s plenty for kids to do with an activated Kids Zone. There are two pageants that ladies young and mature can participate in. The Little Miss Chiquita pageant is open to girls aged 7-11 and starts at 11 a.m. while the Ms. Senora Cinco De Mayo is for women aged 65+ and starts at 12:30 p.m. Both pageants celebrate the beauty of not only the ladies represented but of culture and community. There will also be arts and crafts vendors for those looking to take a souvenir home.
