Smokin’ Good Time at La Feria Celebration!

Large Crowd Endures Scorching Temps to Enjoy Patriotic Event with Music, Games, Barbecue and Fireworks

The City of La Feria opened their doors Saturday, June 28 to host a “smokin’ hot’ event to celebrate Independence Day a few days early. The heat was turned up with mid-afternoon temperatures hovering around 105 degrees and more than 22 teams grilling up the best barbecue around along with the recognition of more than 85 local Military Veterans. All Veterans were given a special pin, a chance at a flat screen television and their names were read aloud at the event.

The day began early at the Veterans Memorial Sports Complex with the Smokin Hero’s BBQ Cook-off Teams starting their grills and concluded with a concert by The Cruisers and a fantastic fireworks show complete with patriotic background muic.

“We are so proud to have this opportunity to recognize our Veterans and host this wonderful patriotic party that was free to all the visitors,” commented La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer.

The community and especially the children could enjoy water slides, the bounce house, games, free lighted necklaces, The Cruiser’s concert and the great fireworks all at no charge.

“Wow, those fireworks were very impressive,” said one attendee, “ I didn’t expect a huge 20 minute show”. Three-D glasses were given out to see the light show in a whole different perspective.

There were also 19 vendors selling sweet treats, fancy drinks, toys, and arts and crafts. The barbecue teams sold their meats in sandwiches and tacos for all to taste.

A few people braved the heat and entered the first annual pet contest. It was also inspiring to see 35 student volunteers helping with the children’s activities and in several other areas. Many volunteers from the City of La Feria Events Committee served many hours before and during the event to make it a success.

[GALLERY=10]

Sponsors
La Feria News Betty Jo Dunlap
James W. Turner Construction Dial Dunkin & Associates
Construction Resolution Group
State Farm Insurance/John Ftacek Chuck’s Fire House
Sigler, Winston, Greenwood & Associates

Special Thanks
American Legion Post 205
Flag Raising, 21 Gun Salute, TAPS
National Anthem
Christopher Austin Sanchez
Mid Valley Golf Cars
Golf Carts
AVANT
Water Kiosks
Promotions & Parties
Water Slides, Moon Jumps & Train
John Hernandez, Jr. – DJ
Ralph Escobedo and The Cruisers – Concert
La Feria Police Department
La Feria Volunteer Fire Department
La Feria Public Works
La Feria Volunteer Event Planning Committee

VENDORS
Anna Aleman
La Feria Chamber of Commerce
Rodeo Concessions
Anselmo Etsrada
Julio Santana, III
Maria Martinez
Reva Ayala
Marissa Parvin
Galdina Rocha
Rodeo Dental
Annalysa Camacho
Jorge Pineda
First United Methodist Church
Sergio Rodriguez
Abundant Life Church
Gregoria Vasquez
Sarah Garnica
Little Lighthouse Children’s Rehab
Calaveras Custom Airbrush

COLORING CONTEST WINNERS
AGES 4-5 YEARS OLD
1ST PLACE-ANGIE VELASQUEZ
2ND PLACE-ABIGAIL PEREZ
3RD PLACE-EMMA SALDIVAR

AGES 6-7
1ST PLACE-OLIVIA ANGUIANO
2ND PLACE-KAELYN CERVANTES
3RD PLACE-DORA MENDEZ

AGES 8-9
1ST PLACE-JULIA ANGUIANO
2ND PLACE-CARILYNN MENDEZ
3RD PLACE-PHILIPE VASQUEZ

AGES 10 & UP
1ST-LUPITA VELASQUEZ
2ND-DANIELLA COBARRUBIAS
3RD-MIGULE COBARRUBIAS

FLUFFY FRIENDS PET SHOW
PRETTIEST PET
ZOEY LYNN GUERRERO
OWNER –MELISSA GUERRERO

FLUFFIEST PET
MAX MENDEZ
OWNER-CARILYNN MENDEZ

RAFFLE WINNERS
Veterans Raffle – Rudy Hernandez

Public Raffle – John Ftacek -TV

Eliza Mendez-Rodriguez
6 pack Cinemark Movie Passes

Elizabeth Ortiz-Mendez
Scentsy Warmer with Scentsy Bar

Eliza Mendez-Rodriguez
Patriotic Wreath & Plaque

Smokin’ Hero’s BBQ Cook-Off Winners
BRISKET
1st Place All Star Cookers
2nd Place Blowin’ Smoke
3rd Place Bernal Paving Cooking Team

BBQ CHICKEN
1st Place Smokers’ Cookin Team
2nd Place Tailgaters
3rd Place BBQ Bandits

PORK SPARE RIBS
1st Place All Star Cookers’
2nd Place Cowboy Up
3rd Place Bohemien Basters

JACKPOT WINNERS
BEANS
1st Place Blowin’ Smoke
2nd Place Bros BBQ Chillin & Grillin

PAN DE COMAPO
1st Place 3-P Ranch
2nd Place Midnight Smokers

FAJITAS
1st Place Kansas City Kookers
2nd Place Blowin’ Smoke

Grand Champion
ALL STAR COOKERS

SMOKIN’ HEROES BBQ COOK-OFF TEAMS
Bare Bones BBQ
Ol’ Rusty’s
Kool Arrows
Tailgaters
Midnight Smokers
Bros BBQ Chillin & Grillin
Mesquite Grillers
Smokers’ Cookin Team
Mexi-Con Cookers
BBQ Bandits
3-P Ranch
Bass Blvd Smokers
Kansas City Kookers
Southern Smokers
D.L.S. Grillers
Bohemien Basters
Los Mitoteros
Old 95er’s
All Star Cooker’s
Cowboy Up
Bernal Paving Cooking Team
Blowin’ Smoke