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Revelers dance the night away during the annual Mardi Gras celebration in Calexico on Friday. (Steven Esperanza photo / February 10, 2013) |
CALEXICO – Hundreds danced the night away donned in beads, feathers, sequins and more during the sold-out 15th annual Mardi Gras Beer Tasting Xperience and Business Expo at the Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center on Friday night.
The Calexico Chamber of Commerce event featured numerous small businesses, a chance to try 40 different kinds of beer, a wine bar, music, dancing and more.
Much of the evening’s excitement swirled around the competition for the titles of Mardi Gras king and queen, which were determined through vote tickets people purchased.
“The candidates are nervous and that’s what it’s all about,” Chamber Executive Director Hildy Carrillo said early in the evening. “Last year was kind of out of control, and this year we have a cross-section of candidates and it reflects in the participation.”
Throughout the evening, event emcee John Moreno excitedly reported vote totals as they came in for each of the couples, and in the end, Ricardo Leyva and Maribel Padilla-Leyva ended up winning the titles of the 2013 Mardi Gras king and queen with 1,800 votes.
Frank Moreno and Gabrielle Obeso-Moreno were runners-up and received honorable mention.
The winning couple wore the most elaborate costumes of anyone at the event, with Ricardo Leyva in a head-to-toe purple, green and gold “pimp” costume, and Maribel Padilla-Leyva in a complete jester costume detailed with sparkling lipstick and eye makeup as well as a beaded headdress.
“Dressing up is the best part,” she said. “I think they should do costumes every year. It’s Mardi Gras!”
She said some people told her they even voted for her just because of her costume, and she actively competed for the title even before the event night.
Their two sons also campaigned for them outside the event in purple, gold and green jester costumes.
Carillo said she hopes even more people get into costume for next year.
Nearly every guest in the house sported signature Mardi Gras beads at least, and Alicia Rahiotis also had a mask and feather boa for the occasion.
“I think it’s really come alive. The voting for king and queen is exciting too. Everyone wants to vote,” she said. “Over here, all the people like to have a good time.”
Event proceeds will go toward chamber activities and events such as the annual Mariachi Festival returning in May, and many local businesses such as She-Devil Pastry took the opportunity Friday to show what their company does.
“It’s how you make the city great, by promoting it,” She-Devil Pastry owner Janina Farias said. “It’s easy to say, ‘Gee, I wish we had more of this or that here,’ but that’s what the chamber is doing here. The chamber is there to promote business and say look, we have this.”
Event attendee Veronica Valenzuela was all smiles as she enjoyed the event Friday.
“It’s looking good. I like the music, wine, seeing all the Calexicans,” she said. “I like it because it brings the community and citizens together. These kinds of events help the businesses and also refreshes our relationships with each other.”
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com.
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