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By MATHEW ZUÑIGA
Special to the NEWS
Organizers of San Benito’s eighth annual ResacaFest – held Saturday, July 5, at the Heavin Memorial Park and Amphitheater – called this year’s event among the best in recent memory, attracting more than 3,000 people to the community.
One of San Benito’s premier festivals hosted an array of musical guests, food booths, a 5k race and walk as well as the firework “extravaganza” and kids’ games.
Heavin Memorial Park was packed and alive with locals and out-of-town visitors enjoying themselves on the Fourth of July weekend. The lawn in front of the AEP stage at the Park was littered with people who brought their own chairs and enjoyed the sounds of multiple Tejano musicians. Children played in a safe environment surrounded by pleasant scents of food and the sound of live music.
The booths and vendors provided everything from authentic Mexican food and turkey legs to antiques and arts and crafts. The Amphitheater showcased children singing karaoke renditions of their favorite songs while parents and attendees watched in amusement. Behind the Amphitheater, attendees sat and waited for the most anticipated event at the festival: the fireworks.
San Benito Special Events Board Chairman Victor Rosas said the 2014 ResacaFest attracted more than 3,000 people and proved to be among the more well-received festivals in recent memory. “I thought it went great,” Rosas said. “Lots of people showed up to join the festival. The weather was great and there were lots of vendors and arts and crafts.”
Regarding the event’s ongoing appeal to local citizens and those attending from outside San Benito, Rosas added, “It’s free and lots of people enjoy it. It gathered lots of support from local police and firefighters; fireworks were better than ever; lots of families got together to enjoy it and that’s what counts. It’s not about making money but getting everyone together.”
Harlingen resident Frank Ramirez, who attended Saturday’s ResacaFest for a third time, said: “It’s good and gets better every year.” Ramirez attributed the live music as the reason it brings him back year after year.
Nora Martinez of San Benito attended her fifth ResacaFest on Saturday and said, “When it comes to live music, you can’t top it!” Martinez, when asked what she enjoyed most about this year’s festival, added, “Meeting new people and seeing old friends. With friends it’s that much more enjoyable.”
ResacaFest Top Dog Contest winner Jenisa Meyers, who hails from Brownsville, was glad she attended the festival for the first time on Saturday. Meyers brought her two dogs along with her to compete in the contest, which she said was her reason for attending.
San Benito’s Elaine Valedes said she has attended every ResacaFest and noted that the food and fireworks are what she looks forward to every year, including other activities. “Music, friends and being around the community… gotta love it!” Valedes exclaimed about the annual festival.
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