2011 Mardi Gras Queen and Calexico chamber President Monica Ketchum (left) crowns Luis ¿Chino¿ and Francina Gonzalez the 2012 king and queen Friday. (Fernando Acosta Jr.) |
CALEXICO — About 300 people filled the Calexico Cultural Arts Center on Friday night to let the good times roll as the Calexico Chamber of Commerce hosted its 13th Mardi Gras “A Beer Tasting Xperience.”
To loud applause, Luis “Chino” and Francina Gonzalez were crowned the 2012 Mardi Gras king and queen with 810 votes.
“It’s very exciting. It’s a nice experience,” Francina Gonzalez said.
Members of the crowd cheered on their choices for Mardi Gras royalty as the votes were totaled up. Gabriela Moreno was cheering as one of the Gonzalez supporters.
“He is part of the community and does a lot for the Elks. He does a lot of fundraising and works for the school district,” she said. “They’re pioneers.”
The court also included Daniel Fitzgerald and Kelli Graham, Daniel and Margie Romero, Jim and Brenda Neujahr and William and Penny Meza.
“The couples were nominated by different people in the community because they are either thought of as Calexico personalities or do good things in the community,” Calexico Chamber Executive Director Hildy Carrillo said.
The event helped raise money for the Calexico Chamber of Commerce and sold out tickets.
“It’s a fundraiser and keeps the chamber going, to be able to put on other events and promote community businesses,” she said.
Event attendees also got to sample more than a dozen different kinds of beer, both domestic and imported.
“It’s a fun and exciting time for people in Calexico to have a good time and get away from their routines,” past Mardi Gras King Louis Fuentes said.
While drinks sold out at one point in the evening, more beer was soon delivered to the masked dancing crowd that packed the center.
Mayor Daniel Romero was the person who started the Calexico Mardi Gras and said he added the Mardi Gras element to the already existing “Beer Xperience” to give it more structure.
“Ever since then it’s been one success each year after another,” he said.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com.
To loud applause, Luis “Chino” and Francina Gonzalez were crowned the 2012 Mardi Gras king and queen with 810 votes.
“It’s very exciting. It’s a nice experience,” Francina Gonzalez said.
Members of the crowd cheered on their choices for Mardi Gras royalty as the votes were totaled up. Gabriela Moreno was cheering as one of the Gonzalez supporters.
“He is part of the community and does a lot for the Elks. He does a lot of fundraising and works for the school district,” she said. “They’re pioneers.”
The court also included Daniel Fitzgerald and Kelli Graham, Daniel and Margie Romero, Jim and Brenda Neujahr and William and Penny Meza.
“The couples were nominated by different people in the community because they are either thought of as Calexico personalities or do good things in the community,” Calexico Chamber Executive Director Hildy Carrillo said.
The event helped raise money for the Calexico Chamber of Commerce and sold out tickets.
“It’s a fundraiser and keeps the chamber going, to be able to put on other events and promote community businesses,” she said.
Event attendees also got to sample more than a dozen different kinds of beer, both domestic and imported.
“It’s a fun and exciting time for people in Calexico to have a good time and get away from their routines,” past Mardi Gras King Louis Fuentes said.
While drinks sold out at one point in the evening, more beer was soon delivered to the masked dancing crowd that packed the center.
Mayor Daniel Romero was the person who started the Calexico Mardi Gras and said he added the Mardi Gras element to the already existing “Beer Xperience” to give it more structure.
“Ever since then it’s been one success each year after another,” he said.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com.
