Making Memories at the 25th annual World’s Largest Matanza

BELEN — The cold was no match for the appetites of thousands who attended the 25th annual World’s Largest Matanza on Saturday, seeking a traditional New Mexican feast with friends and family.

About 8,000 attendees made their way to Eagle Park this year for the event, hosted by the Hispano Chamber of Valencia County, and there were about a dozen teams serving them all.

“We have so many people willing to support all the time, and it’s just amazing to see how it all comes together,” said Hispano Chamber President Bob Lucero.

Most of the proceeds from the event go toward scholarships for higher education to students who are continuing their college education or are graduating from a Valencia County high school this year. Hispano Chamber member Penny Lucero said last year they were able to award 68 scholarships.

While this year’s attendance was lower than last year’s record-breaking amount of about 12,000, Lucero said they made about the same amount in revenue thanks to an increase in sponsorships this year. This year’s new presenting sponsor, Isleta Resort & Casino, contributed a $10,000 dollar sponsorship.

“The funds we raised this year were about equivalent to last year, so we should be able to hand out pretty close to the same amount of scholarships this year as we did last,” Lucero said.

At the event, Frank Lockhart, team captain of the TLC Spear D team, said beyond lots of fun and food, he enjoys participating year after year to help raise funds for scholarships.

“The Matanza brings everybody back together again, and it’s nice to help raise money for the kiddos here in Valencia County,” said Lockhart.

Since 2006, Lockhart has been cooking and competing in the Matanza as it is a tradition he looks forward to every year, especially because the event provides the opportunity to see friends he hasn’t seen in awhile.

Los Lunas Schools first time team member Adrian Franco says he loves the matanza because he gets to see the community get together and enjoy themselves. He is especially happy to see many young people helping out and participating in the matanza this year, carrying on the tradition.

“We don’t want it to die out,” said Franco. “I think it’s important that we can process our own food, cook it and keep these New Mexican dishes alive.”

While he and some friends were happy to help the Los Lunas Schools team this year and gain some experience, Franco said the goal is to compete with his own team next year to represent Chase Mechanical.

“It’s not something I grew up with but I got into later in life,” said Franco. “I had a natural yearning for it, and started when I was about 19. Some older guys taught me, said hey I’ll show you the ropes. It’s a natural passion.”

Lucero was happy to see three new teams participating this year, including Batteries Plus, McDade Woodcock and Valencia County Fair 4-H Team.

“The food was amazing,” said Lucero. “I loved seeing how different teams had different set-ups; they have their own little tricks of the trade.”

As a couple who plan vacations around food, Sherman and Paige Medwid, of Peralta, have made it a point to attend the World Largest Matanza now for three years in a row.

“I found out what the Matanza was and I like to barbecue and cook and stuff and just had to see it,” said Sherman. “We’d been planning on coming for seven years, but never got the day off, but I finally did. It’s really awesome.”

“It’s so much fun. It’s cold, but it’s still fun to be outside, hanging out and enjoying food and getting to see all the people. It’s nice to see a community function where everyone just gets to be together,” said Paige. “We love seeing all the different ways they cook stuff and it’s wonderful, getting to try all the different stuff everyone makes — it’s super tasty.”

For some, the Matanza holds even deeper meaning and has been life changing, like for Bernalillo couple Steven Gabaldon and Geraldine Bernal, who met at the Matanza and have celebrated their anniversary there ever since.

“We met here nine years ago and come every year,” said Bernal. “We put out our seats, enjoy the music and dance. I love carne adovada; it’s my big thing, and the red chile, chicharones … we wait for the awards and stay until it closes.”

“We haven’t missed a year — even if it was snowing we’d still come,” said Gabaldon.

While the Matanza holds a special place in the hearts of many for many reasons, it’s clear that the power of the people it brings together is what makes it such an enduring, delicious and treasured tradition.

2025 Matanza Winners

Team Awards:

• 2025 Grand Champion: Rio Grande Matanzeros; 2. Los Lunas Schools; 3. Gallegos y La Familia New Mexico Plaster & Supply

• People’s Choice Award: Rio Grande Matanzeros; Runner Up: Los Lunas Schools

• Liver: 1. Los Lunas Schools; 2. Team Valencia County Fair; 3. Rio Grande Mantzeros

• Carne Adovada: 1. Rio Grande Matanzeros; 2. McDade Woodcock; 3. Los Lunas Schools

• Specialty Pork Dish: 1. Rio Grande Matanzeros; 2. City of Belen; 3. Valencia County Fair

• Iron Pig: 1. Valencia County Fair; 2. Gallegos y La Familia New Mexico Plaster & Supply; 3. Los Lunas Schools

• Chicharrones: 1. Team Valencia County Fair; 2. Farmers Insurance Traditional Team; 3. Gallegos y Las Familia New Mexico Plaster & Supply

Public Awards:

• Biscochitos: 1. Melissa Lucero; 2. Carolyn Johnson; 3. Elaine Montoya

• Natillas: 1. Roseann Peralta; 2. Maria Marez; 3. Paul Marez

• Pastelitos: 1. Elaine Montoya; 2. Beverly Martinez; 3. TeeCee Centeno

• Red Chile: 1. LoriAnn Martinez; 2. Rose Garcia; 3. Toby and Veronica Jaramillo

• Salsa: 1. LoriAnn Martinez; 2. Elaine Montoya; 3. Eddie Neville

• Tortillas: 1. Dorothy Flores; 2. JR Martinez; 3. TeeCee Centeno