CALEXICO — The good times are set to roll Friday as the 15th annual Mardi Gras Beer Tasting Xperience and Business Expo returns along with the already sold-out Calexico Senior Mardi Gras occurring the same night.
There are limited tickets still available for Mardi Gras Beer Tasting Xperience and Business Expo presented by the Calexico Chamber of Commerce, and it’s recommended to buy tickets in advance, chamber executive director Hildy Carrillo said.
The event is historically held just before Fat Tuesday to give everyone a “chance to get all this drinking and dancing out of our system before Lent begins Wednesday,” she explained.
Lent is a Christian observance of the roughly six weeks leading up to Easter when many either fast, give up certain pleasures or engage in increased reflection or prayer.
The Mardi Gras event features the chance to try more than 40 kinds of beer, Starbucks coffee, She Devil pastries, a wine bar, other hors d’oeuvres, music and dancing.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s supporting the chamber. The monies raised are turned around and put it right back in the community,” Carrillo said. “It’s a good way to support each other and let off some steam. Everyone works, works, works and this is a great way to relax.”
Attendees can also vote on six couple candidates for Mardi Gras king and queen. They are Robert and Ana Cecilia Rubio, Fernando and Diana Zavala, Ricardo Leyva and Maribel Padilla-Leyva, Bob and A.J. Ham, Frank Moreno and Gabrielle Obeso-Moreno, and Victor and Lizeth Legaspi.
Previously announced candidates Jose Vizcarra and Letty Zuno-Vizcarra had to withdraw their candidacy due to a work commitment.
Tickets are $25 each and include two tickets to vote for the king and queen as well as three tickets valid for three beers each. Additional tickets for beer or voting will be available for purchase.
Call the Calexico Chamber of Commerce at 760-357-1166 for tickets or information.
The separate Calexico Seniors Mardi Gras will also be held Friday with its own Senior Mardi Gras King and Queen to be announced around 8 p.m. at the Calexico Community Center.
Candidates will be nominated that evening and voted on by applause.
Community Services Director Sandra Tauler said that the event sold out a couple of weeks ago and will draw more than 200 seniors to enjoy a night of dancing, food, masks and beads.
“Senior programs are becoming more and more popular,” she said. “We need to figure out how to include more.”
If you go
What — Mardi Gras Beer Tasting Xperience and Business
When — Doors open at 6 p.m. until about 10:30 p.m. Friday
Where — Carmen Durazo Cultural Arts Center
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
To comment on this story click here to be directed to Facebook.
