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Warren Carter of San Diego eats ribs during the 22nd annual Holtville Athletic Club Rib Cook-Off on Saturday. "It's delicious," said Carter, who said this was his first time in Holtville. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / January 26, 2013) |
HOLTVILLE — Community members from around the Imperial Valley flooded Samaha Park in search of ice cream, kettle corn and of course ribs at the town’s 22nd annual Holtville Athletic Club Rib Cook-off here Saturday.
This year’s tastiest ribs were prepared and barbecued by Triple I Press employees, who were only too happy to enter the friendly competition.
“This is our first year placing,” said Norbert Irungaray, one of the cooks. “We don’t enter to be competitive, because it’s all about having a good time and giving back to the community.”
Irungaray said there was no secret ingredient to this year’s first-place ribs, only the motivation to have fun.
“We just threw everything together,” he said. “We didn’t really measure anything. We just let it all come together on its own.”
While a majority of people were entranced by the smell of barbecued meat, a few pint-sized attendees confessed it was the homemade ice cream that made them smile.
“I like everything, but the ice cream is the best because it’s tasty,” said Hector Gomez, an 8-year-old Holtville resident. “I only ate a little bit of ribs and more ice cream.”
Imperial resident Leana Dale said she’s been attending the event since it started and has seen it continue to grow.
“Every year there are always more people and booths,” Dale said. “The one thing that doesn’t change, though, is the food. It’s always good and that’s why I keep coming back. It also gives us a chance to get out.”
Holtville Athletic Club member Rudy Schaffner said the event can draw upward of 10,000 people and lasts until the last rib is eaten.
“There really is no other event like this in the community because it’s all for one purpose,” Schaffner said. “It’s meant to help kids in the community.”
Schaffner estimated nearly 200 Holtville High athletes and club members were in attendance to help clean the park before, during and after the event.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Schaffner said. “To keep kids busy.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
To join the discussion and add your comments to this story, please click here to be directed to Facebook.
This year’s tastiest ribs were prepared and barbecued by Triple I Press employees, who were only too happy to enter the friendly competition.
“This is our first year placing,” said Norbert Irungaray, one of the cooks. “We don’t enter to be competitive, because it’s all about having a good time and giving back to the community.”
Irungaray said there was no secret ingredient to this year’s first-place ribs, only the motivation to have fun.
“We just threw everything together,” he said. “We didn’t really measure anything. We just let it all come together on its own.”
While a majority of people were entranced by the smell of barbecued meat, a few pint-sized attendees confessed it was the homemade ice cream that made them smile.
“I like everything, but the ice cream is the best because it’s tasty,” said Hector Gomez, an 8-year-old Holtville resident. “I only ate a little bit of ribs and more ice cream.”
Imperial resident Leana Dale said she’s been attending the event since it started and has seen it continue to grow.
“Every year there are always more people and booths,” Dale said. “The one thing that doesn’t change, though, is the food. It’s always good and that’s why I keep coming back. It also gives us a chance to get out.”
Holtville Athletic Club member Rudy Schaffner said the event can draw upward of 10,000 people and lasts until the last rib is eaten.
“There really is no other event like this in the community because it’s all for one purpose,” Schaffner said. “It’s meant to help kids in the community.”
Schaffner estimated nearly 200 Holtville High athletes and club members were in attendance to help clean the park before, during and after the event.
“That’s what we’re here for,” Schaffner said. “To keep kids busy.”
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
To join the discussion and add your comments to this story, please click here to be directed to Facebook.
