Holtville Rib Cook Off draws thousands to benefit I.V. youth programs
Organizers of the 26th Annual Holtville Athletic Club Rib Cook-Off said over 20,000 people came to their fundraiser event on Saturday held at Samaha Park.
The main attraction were 12,000 lbs. cooked ribs that people formed long lines to get at. Organizers said all the proceeds went to Imperial Valley kids’ programs. Eighteen teams competed for the honor of raising the most funds. Organizers said the previous year they raised nearly $60,000. They hope to top that this year.
Vessey & Company, Inc., team member Mark Allegranza said they’ve been the top team before and they’re looking to do it again this year.
“Social responsibility and support the community of Holtville. The Holtville Athletic Club uses the funds from this event to support the youth groups, the high school, all the way down to little league. Doesn’t necessarily have to be sports. This is a way of helping the kids out with their fundraisers,” Allegranza said.
Allegranza’s Vessey team did win the Pinnacle Award for cooking and selling the most ribs (over 1,000 racks of ribs!). And Imperial County Planning Department won the Judges’ Award for Best Ribs.
