annual barbecue fair

The celebration of the traditional Barbecue Fair in Actopan coincides with the annual fair that
celebrates the founding of the city. On the 8th, the long-awaited barbecue competition takes
place, where the protagonists of the excellent seasoning come together to prepare the best
and most delicious barbecue in the region. The contest ends with prizes for the winners in an
attractive ceremony

Historically, July 8, 1546 is considered the day of the founding of the city;[6]​a date that
coincides with the founding of the Convent of Actopan.[7]​[8]​On July 8, 1946, The XXXVIII
Legislature of the Congress of the state of Hidalgo gave it the category of city.[6]​

In 1971, the first barbecue contest was held,[9]​[10]​in the 1980s the television host, Raúl
Velasco, visited the Actopan fair and it achieved national projection.[11]​[ 12]​[13]​In 2017, the
first Ximbó Festival was held linked to the activities of the fair, starting in 2022 it will be held
as a separate festival.[14]​[15]​[16]​

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Hidalgo, the 2020 and 2021 editions were
cancelled.[17][18][19] However, on July 1, 2021, the Actopan City Council reported on the
event. of the Barbecue and Ximbó Gastronomic Exhibition, which takes place every year
parallel to the fair.[20]

The Barbecue Fair, also called Actopan Fair, is a gastronomic, social and cultural event held
in Actopan in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. It commemorates the founding of the city, as well
as the Barbecue Contest; This is commemorated annually, with the main day being July
8.[1][2][3] Considered one of the most important fairs in the state of Hidalgo.

The events are held in two venues where sports activities and cultural events take place.
The first venue is the Municipal Sports Unit located in the northeast part of the city, where
events such as livestock exhibition, wrestling, popular market, amusement rides, popular
dances and fireworks are held. The second venue is Plaza Juárez in the center of the city,
where the commemorative parade, artistic exhibitions, an exhibition of antique cars, musical
presentations, dance performances, a handicraft show and a gastronomic exhibition are
held.[

The Barbecue Contest brings together the best barbecue makers in the region. The cooks
present a piece of meat for five people, accompanied by sauces, and tortillas.[25]
Participants have to present a clean scenario, otherwise it does not meet the hygiene,
sanitary conditions or does not comply with the bases will be disqualified.

In the gastronomic sample you will find dishes such as insect and worm quesadillas, such as
chicharra, crickets, chinicuiles, xamues, and acociles.[24] In addition to tlacoyos, sopes and
stew quesadillas such as huictlacoche, quelite, pumpkin flower; fresh fruit waters and
pulque, whether natural or cured from mango, pine nut, garambullo, strawberry, pina colada,
pistachio, tomato, michepulque, walnut and soursop.