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The celebration started before noon, and the crowd was large and grew larger in the early afternoon as more guests began arriving to view the fireworks show scheduled for the evening.
“Everybody likes to see ten thousand dollars go up in smoke. I do,” said Ron Nelson, a city councilman who helped keep things running smoothly.
“This is usually good for the family. The kids have a lot of fun,” said Angie Barker, who was there with her family.
The games – including a balloon toss, three-legged race, tug-of-war and frog jump – provided entertainment and fun, but it was the jalapeño eating contest that was the real show.
Taking this year’s title was John K. Kelly, who ate a total of 39 jalapeños, winning $300 and a first place trophy. Buffy Cordova took second place eating 25 peppers and Leo Rosales ate 24 for the third place finish. The second and third place finishers were also presented trophies.
Christina Burke is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6516 or cburke@vicad.com or to comment on this story go to www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.