RIESEL, Texas (KWTX) – The Riesel Lions Club held its annual barbecue to raise funds for the Riesel Lions Club Park property as it faces a risk of Outstanding balance of $48,000 on a mortgage loan maturing in August 2024.

The cook-off is an annual event at the park. Funds raised from entrance fees are typically used to provide scholarships to Riesel High School students. Due to financial difficulties, the Riesel Lions Club retained all revenue to fund park expenses.

Lions Club Park Manager Leigh Ann Holloway said the sooner the club can pay the balance, the sooner it can return to serving the Riesel community.

“The important thing about these events is that the more people we get, the more funds we get, the quicker we can award these scholarships and get back to the regular routine of helping many different causes and organizations in the community,” Holloway said.

Competition winners Carlos Gutierrez and Slade Rodriguez said they were happy to help Riesel Lions Club Park during this difficult time.

“We just like to support small towns and what they do because the Lions Club does a lot of great things for a lot of people,” Gutierrez said. “And it’s just a great honor for us to be able to be here and support them in their fundraising efforts, so we think it’s a no-brainer.”

With major revenue sources such as the annual Riesel Fair returning to the park after a long hiatus, Holloway said she is optimistic about the future of the Riesel Lions Club Park.

“The goal this year is to be back,” Holloway said. “Now that the show is up and running and things are moving forward and our race track is finished, we absolutely plan to get back to the top of these scholarships for these kids.”

The next event at Riesel Lions Club Park will be an electric grill and breakfast with Santa on December 14.

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