HIDALGO — The entertainment lineup is set for this year’s BorderFest here, which includes its inaugural cookoff competition.
Headline performers will include Los Herederos de Nuevo Leon, Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa de Monterrey and Ramon Ayala in outdoor performances.
There will also be concerts featured in the Payne Arena with performances from Ja Rule and Ashanti on Friday and Jon Pardi on Saturday.
Artists slated to perform represent a variety of music genres like hip hop, country and rock. Other artists include Massore, Chiquis, Solido and El Poder del Norte, as well as others all playing outside.
City officials gathered here at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo on Wednesday to announce the lineup and to celebrate the upcoming festivities for the 46th annual BorderFest. The three-day festival is scheduled to kick off on Friday, March 31 and run through Sunday, April 2.
Decorations depicting Texas iconography sat along the edges of the arena, a fitting set of items as they announced that this year’s theme will be celebrating the Lone Star State.
Hidalgo Mayor Sergio Coronado said it’s “a great honor” for the festival to celebrate the state of Texas for the first time.
He explained that this year’s theme allows the event the opportunity to represent the history of Texas as well as the shared costumes with Mexico.
“We’re going to have different sections for the little kids as well because we want for them to learn how is it that Texas came about,” Coronado said.
Not only will this year’s festival feature live music but it will also host its inaugural “Taste of Tejas BBQ Cookoff” Saturday, April 1.
“They’re getting ready to see who has the best fajitas,” Coronado said with a laugh.
Those who wish to participate in the competition can apply online at https://www.hidalgoborderfest.com/borderfest-bbqcook-off.
Last year the city saw about 15,000 to 20,000 attendees on a daily basis, Coronado hopes to see more people this year as the weather begins to warm up.
Tickets for the BorderFest can be purchased in person or online at https://cityofhidalgo.ticketspice.com/borderfest-2023. Presale tickets are now available with the three day tickets priced at $40 and one day tickets at $20. These tickets do not include access to indoor concerts.
