New Independence Day Cook-off Competitor Turns Heads This Year

Updated: July 13, 2023

*First place in fajita, chicken and overall grand champion, Breanna Galindo*

Emilio Flores
LFN

La Feria, TX – The vibrant community of La Feria came together at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, July 1, to celebrate Independence Day in grand style. The event, filled with exciting activities, live music, and delicious food, brought residents of all ages together for a day of festive fun. From the thrilling fireworks display to the BBQ Cook-off, the celebration offered something for everyone.

The festivities commenced at 3 PM with the highly anticipated fireworks display organized by Mr. Pepe Forina, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.

At 5 PM, Mayor Olga Maldonado extended a warm welcome to all attendees, marking the official start of the 4th of July celebration. Mayor Maldonado recognized City Manager, Jaime Sandoval; Events Coordinator, Pepe Forina; PW Director, Alfonso Rodriguez, the Police Department, Fire Department, BBQ Competitors for their hours of hard work, and the community for coming out to the event. The crowd was entertained by the live band Texas Dream, who set the tone for an evening of joy and celebration. As the sun began to set, the stage was taken over by Mark Barry. Forina says the music was great.

Forina says this was a special event, saying, “This I think was the best so far,” Forina adds he’s excited to see the event only get better in the future.

He gives a special thanks to Mayor Olga Maldonado, who generously donated two 50-inch TVs for a raffle, adding an extra element of excitement to the festivities.

The highlight of the event was the BBQ Cook-off, which showcased the talents of local BBQ enthusiasts. Pepe Forina, the City’s Event Coordinator, recognized the dedication and hard work of the BBQ competitors. With 15 teams participating, the level of competition was exceptional, reflecting the passion and expertise of the participants.

Charles Villanueva, the one in charge of the BBQ competition, shares that one standout contender was Breanna Galindo, owner and chef of Four Twenty Eats & Treats. In her first-ever competition, Galindo emerged as the grand champion of the City of La Feria 4th of July BBQ Cook-off. With her impressive skills, she secured first place in both the chicken and fajitas categories, surpassing all expectations.

Galindo’s remarkable achievement as a one-girl show underscored her culinary prowess and dedication to her craft.

Sharing her journey, Galindo recounted her transition from the restaurant industry to starting her own business, facing challenges and persevering through the pandemic. Her passion for cooking led her to open Four Twenty Eats & Treats, a food trailer where she crafts delectable meals for the community.

Galindo expressed her gratitude to Charles Villanueva for inviting her to participate in the cook-off and shared her overwhelming joy at being crowned the grand champion.

The event was a true celebration of community spirit, showcasing the true talent of La Feria residents.
La Feria’s Independence Day celebration at Veterans Memorial Park was a true success and as Pepe Forina says, he hopes to only make it bigger and better in the coming years.