Celebrate Out of the Box: Houston Margarita Festival
Whether you prefer yours frozen or on the rocks, with salt or without, there will be no shortage of margaritas to choose from this weekend at the fourth annual Houston Margarita Festival. To accommodate the more than 18,000 expected margarita-loving guests, this year's festival will be held at Sam Houston Park, centrally located in the shadow of downtown, where a full day of festivities is planned this Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
More than 19 distinct flavors of margaritas will be available this year, all made with 100 percent agave tequila. Out-of-the-box flavors like pumpkin spice, green apple, coconut and chocolate will make you rethink ordering a house margarita. The tasty, all-day event will feature a variety of foods from local vendors including Mexican, barbecue, seafood and Cajun cuisines, all perfect for pairing. And if throughout the day you get tapped out on tequila, the bars will be serving up a slew of other adult beverages with vodka, bourbon and whiskey.
This also marks the inaugural year for the "Best Margarita Competition," which will include both a restaurant and mixologist division. Festival attendees will be asked to text in votes for their pick and a winner will be announced at the end of the night. In addition to the "Best Margarita Competition," the festival will once again host a salsa competition with free entry to non-professional dancing couples. Winners will be chosen by loudest applause, so bring your dancing shoes and your amigos.
Since its start four years ago, the festival has grown immensely popular—after all, margaritas are almost as beloved in Houston as chips and queso—leading event organizers to move the shindig to Sam Houston Park this year. "The community in Houston continues to amaze us year after year with their response to the festival," says founder and organizer Jirmar Proctor. "We're excited about the new competition and are thrilled to be in Sam Houston Park where we will have plenty of space to celebrate Houston's dynamic culture full of food, drinks, music, dancing, and, of course, margaritas."
Guests must be 21 and up to attend. For tickets or more information, visit houstonmargaritafest.com.
Houston Margarita Festival, Sunday, Nov. 8, noon to 10 p.m., Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby St., $25-$100, houstonmargaritafest.com
