LOCAL EVENTS
While some celebrate the changing of the seasons with pumpkin spice treats, real amigos know cooler weather means tamale season is upon us. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than at the second annual Texas Tamale Fest and Cook Off this Saturday at the Historic Hays County Courthouse, where the best cooks from the county will be competing for the $1,000 first-place prize.
The event is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a ‘Ay Chihuahua’ Pageant where the cutest and smallest pups will strut the runway for a chance at a cash prize. Not only does this event celebrate the family-centered tradition of tamale making, but The Hill Country Cook-off Association always picks a community member to donate proceeds to. This year funds are being raised for Michael Trejo who is battling liver cancer.
The event is jampacked with food and fun. Cooks begin setting up at 5:30 a.m. to start the race towards the ultimate tamale. At 10 a.m. the event kicks off as the San Marcos High School Marichi Nuevo Casacabel brings the beats with a full ensemble of Latin music.
As the aroma of Mexican spices fill the air, the public tamale sampling begins at 11 a.m. Sampling tickets are $5 and include five tickets. Dog owners can begin registering their pups at noon with the pageant starting at 1 p.m with cash prizes for first through third place. Then at 3 p.m. guests can loosen their belts for the tamale eating contest. At 4:30 p.m. the event runners will hold a group prayer to kick off the awards ceremony. There are cash prizes for first through tenth place.
The Hill Country Cook-off Association is a nonprofit organization who’s mission is to assist families dealing with cancer. They organize multiple cook-offs throughout the year including the BBQ cookoff which will celebrate it’s 20th year in 2026. Keep an eye out for their annual Cinco De Mayo Menudo Throwdown, their Caldo Cook-off and their Tripa Throwdown, celebrating the best home-cooked Mexican cuisine that Hays County has to offer.
Chihuahua’s of all shapes and sizes (but mostly small) will compete. Photo courtesy of HCCO
HCCO president Richard Anzaldua and Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra celebrate the 2024 Tamale Winners. Photo courtesy of HCCO
The ‘Ay Chihuahua’ Pageant will showcase the best local pups. Photo courtesy of HCCO
2024’s winner of the ‘Ay Chihuahua’ pageant. Photo courtesy of HCCO
Owners and their chihuahua’s compete for a cash prize. Photo courtesy of HCCO
The red carpet will be rolled out for chihuahua’s to strut their stuff. Photo courtesy of HCCO
The best tamale makers from Hays county will be present to compete for cash prizes. Photo courtesy of HCCO
The best tamale makers from Hays county will be present to compete for cash prizes. Photo courtesy of HCCO
The best tamale makers from Hays county will be present to compete for cash prizes. Photo courtesy of HCCO
Owners and their chihuahua’s compete for a cash prize. Photo courtesy of HCCO
