Annual Fall Fiesta to Begin Friday

The city will hold its annual Fall Fiesta and Mayor’s Menudo Cook-Off on Friday through Sunday in the heart of downtown.

Carnival games, live entertainment, Latino arts and crafts and food booths will highlight the three-day event, which will conclude with the menudo cook-off Sunday.

The cook-off was created by city officials last year under the guidance of City Councilman and former Mayor Jose Hernandez.

“We’re attempting to be the menudo capital of the world,” said Margie Hernandez, one of the event’s promoters.

The contest encourages anyone who has a special menudo recipe to enter. A panel of judges, headed by Mayor Silverio Robledo, will pick the winners.

A first-place prize of $250 will be awarded to the winner in each category--business, nonprofit organization and individual/family--and a trophy will be awarded to the best of those three.

Admission to the festival and cook-off is free. The deadline to enter a menudo recipe is Wednesday; entry forms are available at San Fernando City Hall.

The event will be held on San Fernando Road, between Brand and Mission boulevards, with judging beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday.

For information, call (818) 361-3885.