Margarita Fest 2019 recap

A sellout crowd of more than 900 people at the 2nd Annual Margarita Festival at the Lansing Center Friday picked Cantina Eastwood for best margarita for its classic homage to a traditional margarita.

Its bare-bones recipe called for fresh lime and lemon juice, a hint of orange oil and Jose Cuervo Silver tequila. American Fifth Spirits came in next for its concoction “Blackberry Python,” blending blackberry shrub, house-made simple syrup, fresh lime and lemon juice.

Many attendees dressed up in twists on Jimmy Buffett-inspired apparel. A few tropical fashion statements made were mermaid make up, piñata hats and cannabis leaf graphics, as well as your traditional grass skirts and Ray-Bans.

Halfway through the event, audiences voted for their favorite costume based on “cheers.” Three ladies from Caseville garnered the loudest applause for their matching ensembles, resembling a flamboyance of feathery flamingos.

Margarita Fest was kept lively thanks to music from Jammin’ DJs, Third Coast Steel and Mariachi Cristal.

City Pulse, the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority sponsored the event, along with the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, Dan Henry Distributing and Capital Insurance Services.

Update: At the request of a marketing specialist from  Crowne Plaza Lansing West, a photo from this story has been removed.