Sunshine broke through the clouds at Dana Point last weekend, and with it came a bright expansion of the Sabroso Festival, this year featuring a taco eating contest, tastings of over 100 different regional craft beers, gourmet tacos, Lucha Libre wresting, and – music.
Sure, some people came to see whether Takeru Kobayashi could top his 2015 record of eating 144 street tacos, but most attendees were in it for the music. The crowd loved rocking out to punk and rock and Latin-edged acts. For the latter, it was Metalachi, for the punk it was Unwritten Law, Long Beach rock band Rival Sons, and Fullerton rock band Lit, straight up rock was well represented by Fueled by Defiance, and arguably the most renowned group on stage, Huntington Beach-based rockers the Offspring. Also on tap (pun intended): Canadian rock quintet Sum 41 whose set had a little pop sensibility.
Below, Fueled by Defiance commanded the stage with a blistering set.
Fueled by Defiance
Below, Metalachi added something primal and fun to a Latin edged set that was sexy, a little crazy, and totally intense.
Metalachi
Below, Lit was on fire.
Rival Sons, below, offered a powerful set that throbbed with rhythm.
Sum 41 tore things up with a set that was both straight up rock and some pop-influenced material.
Sum 41
And closing act The Offspring proved their potency, reaffirming their status as a late 90s era headliner. If “The Kids Aren’t Alright” you couldn’t tell it here.
Along the way, the “Best of Taste” taco prizes were awarded…we were fortunate enough to taste several of the winners’ wares.
First place went to Mess Company Canteen food truck, second place Falasophy food truck, and third place went to Kroft.
And the taco eating competition unfolded – stuffed faces, full stomachs, and prizes. Above, entering champion Kobayashi.
First place record holder Kobayashi kept his spot, consuming 159 Chronic tacos.
Second place went to Molly Schuyler who devoured 139 Chronic tacos.
The crowd around stage grew as the day faded into the night.
Strong music, strong brews, spicy tacos, and a beach front setting with great acoustics…who could ask for more? Flexing their musical and event driven muscles, the Sabroso festival is quintessentially Southern Californian, a mix of music and marvelous madness.
- Genie Davis; Photos – straight from the photographers’ pit – by Jack Burke.