What's more caliente than summer in H-town? Houston Yelpers, amigos! To kick off yet another sizzlin' season in the Bayou City, Yelp Houston presented Quince De Mayo Summer Fiesta. It was our largest event to date, with more than 350 yelpers trekking to East End Urban Market on Friday, May 15th to celebrate Yelp Houston's first open party for the entire Yelp community.
Indeed it was hot, but many o’ cool fiesta-goers arrived in summer style, ready to shake their bon bon at the colorful and Mexican-themed East End Urban Market. Upon entry, guests were greeted with refreshing iced barrels of flavored Sweet Leaf Tea – mint honey, lemonade, raspberry – along with a smiling Andrea R, hailing all the way from Yelp Chicago to quickly check in the crowds and register them for prize drawings.
DJ Francesco Conti got the partied started, turning up the heat with hypnotic Latin beats as yelpers gyrated across the dance floor. And what's a summer fiesta without live musica? El Mariachi Guadalupano made their grand entrance mid-event, surprising the crowd with an hour-long song and dance performance. We even caught some yelpers joining in!
When things got too heated, Steamworks Brewing Company cooled off the crowed with crisp cans of Engine Lager and Third Eye Pale Ale (those Yelp koozies sure came in handy!); and Bridlewood Estate Winery filled empty cups and soothed thirsty palates with their flavorful Monterey County Chardonnay and Reserve Syrah.
For the señores y señoritas who worked up an appetite sashaying across the dance floor – or shopping around the market with the 16 vendors on display – a dizzying array of bites from local Yelp favorites were on site to fill those tummies. Calliope’s Po-Boy brought out an assortment of Cajun eats, including gumbo and fried rice, Mi Luna went tapas with savory chicken skewers, My Fit Foods was there to get yelpers into swimsuit mode, Ruggles Café Bakery whipped out mini-versions of their famous desserts, like cheesecake, carrot cake and Strawberry Bomb, and Saint Dane's Bar & Grille dished out fried pickles, ‘tenders, wings and more!
Multiple prizes, generously donated by EEUM’s vendors, sent winners home with organic soaps, oils, candles and handcrafted pottery. But not a yelper walked away emptied handed, as gift bags for fiesta-goers were filled with samples, savings and gift cards to Contents, Cut Loose, DuO, La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa's Chez Roux, Nightclub Cardio, River Oaks Fitness, Wish, and YogaOne Studios.
With the night slowly coming to an end and folks flocking to the patio for a relaxing game of Loteria (Mexican Bingo), local singer/songwriter Shina Rae stole everyone’s attention by serenading the crowd with “Lighting Strikes.” Yelper Crystal L was quick to garner some attention too, as she surprised everyone with her backup singing/dancing skillz to “Come Get Me.” Girls sure got down!
If you missed the event – or just want to relive it – a yelpy Trésor Photography photo booth caught many o’ zany moments, and shutterbug Kenny H was also sure to capture saucy candid moves and paparazzi-worthy poses. Read up on what you fellow Yelp amigos are saying about the Quince De Mayo Summer Fiesta, or share your thoughts and opinions on the evening.
Hope everyone who made it out had a yelpy good time. I know I did!
Until next time, compadres, SYOY (see you on Yelp),
Farrah A
Houston Community Manager
