This 2011 Jalapeño Festival had Laredo’s crowd waiting with excitement and anticipation to witness the 26 contestants competing for one thousand dollars in cash for the person eating the most jalapeños in fifteen minutes at the city’s El Metro Park and Ride grounds at 8:30 P.M.
Sponsored by Stripes, O’ Reilly, and La Costeña, the contest was conducted by Celina Alvarado along with KGNS’s local meteorologist Richard Berler “Heatwave” who kept track of time. To avoid disqualification, the contestants chowed down as much peppers possible without vomiting. The contestants recurred to cold beer to aid against the heat of the peppers as the crowd cheered them for motivation.
With only two female contestants, the odds of a male winner were high and interesting since this year’s Jalapeño Queen Linda Morales promised a dance with the first place winner. When the time was up, the judges announced Mr. Randy Harrison of San Antonio and Mr. Julian Wallace of Belson Texas as this year’s third place finalists for having eaten 103 jalapeños each. Upon counting 115 pepper stems, the judges recognized Mr. Benjamin Navarro of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico in second place. The thousand dollar first place cash prize went to Mr. Mark Hampton of San Antonio with a final score of 119 jalapeños.
At the end of the Jalapeño eating contest, this year’s treasurer for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association Veronica Castillon, proudly informed how this event has gained popularity across the country for “it was mentioned as one of the correct answers in the Jeopardy TV show” hosted by Alex Trebek she explained. Castillon shared her brief knowledge on the event’s history of locations where it has taken place in the past such as the Jarvis Plaza, and the city’s L.I.F.E. Downs area during the 1980’s. Castillon concluded the interview by mentioning folk music singers such as Selena and Faith Hill as previous performers on past Jalapeño Festivals.
On this year of 2011, folk bands Invasores de Nuevo Leon and Grupo Pesado performed on stage for the city crowd. Thousands of spectators stood for hours listening to their favorite Norteño music hits as the performers played till midnight. With all the excitement, the music, the food, and entertainment, the city of Laredo once again had the opportunity to enjoy the Jalapeño Festival,- one of the many Washington’s Birthday Celebration events that take place this time of year.