San Benito officials insure Hog Waddle festival for ‘inclement weather’

The city of San Benito’s Hog Waddle Concert and Cook-off festival kicked off Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, and will run through Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the San Benito Fairgrounds. (Courtesy: City of San Benito)

San Benito’s biggest festival opened Thursday with temperatures hovering around the 40s after officials took out an insurance policy to cover the four-day event being staged for $290,000 along with sponsorships.

Earlier this week, city commissioners ratified a $13,150 payment to Spectrum Weather and Specialty Insurance to cover the Hog Waddle Concert and Cook-off amid “inclement weather.”

“We’ve got a lot at stake here so we’ve got to do what we can,” Commissioner Tom Goodman said.

While San Benito’s daytime temperatures are forecast to hover in the upper 40s and low 50s during the remainder of the week, nighttime readings are expected to drop into the upper 30s and low 40s, meteorologist Jeremy Katz said Thursday at the Natural Weather Service in Brownsville.

“Temperatures are expected to warm up a bit on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday reaching the 60s,” Cristina Garcia, the city’s spokeswoman, said, pointing to Friday’s music lineup. “We’re excited and ready for Randy Rogers, Louie the Singer and Buck ‘n’ Crazy to bring the heat to San Benito this weekend.”

With a lineup including the bands Los Cardenales, Los Viejones and Milla 22 along with local bands, the event is also featuring entertainment ranging from lucha libre wrestling to a Heart of America carnival.

This year, officials are expanding the event from two to four days.

At city hall, officials are budgeting $150,000 while the city’s Economic Development Corporation’s setting aside $140,000 to help stage the festival.

While counting on ticket sales and sponsorships to help fund the festival, officials are refuting some residents’ claims the event’s carrying a $500,000 price tag.

For shows set for Friday and Saturday, pre-sale tickets are selling for $20, and $30 at the door, while the city’s offering free admission on Sunday.

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