By Amira Van Leeuwen
BUDA — Hundreds of people gathered at the Buda Amphitheater on Saturday to eat, drink and listen to live music. Despite a light summer shower, nothing was going to stop people from having a good time at Margarita Salsa Fest.
The festival, which originated in Waco, was sponsored by several different companies: Willie’s Joint, Flying Embers, Reliant Plumbing, Shiner Beer and Baird Pools. Several food truck vendors were also in attendance including Lil Red Lunchbox, Bahama Bucks, Eastside BBQ and Bandit Tacos.
Lil Red Lunchbox sold old-fashioned cheeseburgers, patty melts and corn dogs but sold out of almost all items by the end of the night. Bahama Bucks sold shaved ice in various flavors, including pina colada, tiger’s blood and cherry lime mango. They were also selling some signature flavors like Mangonada and tropical blue coconut.
Aside from the food, vendors like Flying Embers gave out free samples of margarita seltzers. WaterTight Cocktail Co. also sold margaritas in a can in three flavors: Beach Margarita, Guava Paloma and Mango Sipper.
Los Olivos Market also attended the festival to give samples of homemade salsa like habanero, hatch tomatillo salsa and queso extreme.
“I think it’s an awesome event to get the Buda community together. We’ve been in the Buda community for about two and half years and just love it here,” said John Herdman, vice president of Los Olivos Market.
No Grainer Gluten Free Cookies sold various gluten-free cookies, including s’mores, fruity cereal sugar, snickerdoodle, margarita butter and chocolate chip. Evie & Me Cookies were selling a variety of cookies as well, including birthday cake and cookies and cream cookies.
Evie & Me cookies are made from original recipes by wife and husband duo Cailan and Bailor Ellison. Their 8-month-old daughter inspired the business name.
“[We’re] so excited we got to be a part of the marg salsa fest! [We] can’t wait to make more homemade cookies for all of South Austin and beyond,” Calian Ellison said.
After getting drinks and food, people were invited to lay a blanket on the amphitheater grass in front of the stage to enjoy live music from the Shaker Hymns, a Texas Southern Rock band, and American neotraditional Americana band Mike and the Moonpies.
“[The] Shaker Hymns completely rocked it, giving us a taste of what’s to come on their new album,” festival attendee Lindsay Lucero said.
The festival also welcomed American country artist Pat Green, who was performing his first album release concert for his latest album, “Miles & Miles of You” – Green’s first album in seven years.
Festival-goer Courtney Lester was excited to see Pat Green.
“I just love the atmosphere of having all the food trucks and vendors. What a great way to bring the community together for a good time,” Lester said.
