Staff Report
HAYS COUNTY – Through a county fundraiser, four-year-old Riley Cadena will receive the gift of sight.
Hosted on the Hays County Courthouse grounds earlier this month, the Cinco on the 7th event raised the $6,000 needed for Cadena’s family to buy glasses. The menudo cook-off was organized by the Hill Country Cook Off Association (HCCO) and included contests for borracho beans, carne guisada and micheladas presented by over 40 cooks.
“We’re not starting a new tradition, but rather continuing an old one,” said Richard Anzaldua, HCCO President. “We were all in agreement that this one would benefit little Riley.”
Cadena’s grandmother, Donna Rodriguez, thanked the HCCO for the fundraiser.
“I am so thankful to Richard Anzaldua and the HCCO,” Rodriguez said. “We have already spent $4,000 on the medical procedure to make sure these special glasses would work for Riley and we just didn’t know how we would be able to afford the expensive glasses.”
Eight contestants participated in a burrito eating contest sponsored by Wow-Wee’s Café, Wendy Melendez of Live Luv Pretty crowned a Miss Chiquita Cinco de Mayo, while Vasquez Ultimate Sounds played Tejano music.
Judge Ruben Becerra completed the entertainment by bringing in Nuevo Cascabel Mariachis from San Marcos High School and Grupo Folklorico Ocotochtli dancers from Texas State University.
“It is with great pleasure that I continue to open the courthouse lawn to everyone,” Becerra said.
