Chili cookoff gets people dancing at Cattle Call event

Brawley group Ballet Folklorico Las Florecitas said dancing brings their Hispanic heritage to the forefront and it’s just something good all-around for everyone.

Las Florecitas Director Adriana Camacho said, “Dancing is good for your heart, it’s good for your mind and it’s good for your soul. And that’s exactly what we want to bring to the community.”

They got many of the public dancing at Saturday’s 33 rd Annual Chili Cookoff, the official kickoff for Brawley Cattle Call week.

Chamber of Commerce Director Katie Luna said the event brings family, friends and food together.

“Getting everyone into the western spirit and getting everyone fired up for this week of cattle call events leading us up to our big rodeo this coming weekend,” Luna said.

Council Member Sam Couchman said, “twenty to thirty thousand people probably come down, with the parade, with the rodeo, the rodeo performances. We have the mariachi festival that gets about ten thousand people. This probably got three thousand to four thousand.”

They said it’s good for local economy, as well.

“This drives lots of people to our area to spend their hard-earned dollars, have fun with us,” Luna said.

“Promotes Brawley and the Imperial Valley all over. It’s well known all over the country,” Couchman said.

Cattle Call starts Saturday with activities going on thru the week.

This year’s Chili Cook-Off winners are:

1 st Place – Brawley Fire Fighters Kick Ash Chili

2 nd Place – Mingo’s Full House Chili

3 rd Place – Los Chiles Calientes

People’s Choice – Thermal Chili

Best Booth – Chili of Brawley