GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XLVIII
THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Chris Huot appointed as Paso Robles city manager Council finalizes fouryear contract with Huot after interim leadership; new signage planned for Veterans Memorial Bridge By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council has formally appointed Chris Huot as City Manager, solidifying his position after serving in an interim capacity since January. The appointment was approved during the Council’s Tuesday, May 6, meeting, alongside the authorization of a four-year employment agreement and an updated master pay schedule. Huot first joined the City as assistant city manager on Jan. 3, 2022, and stepped into the role of interim city manager twice — initially from August to November 2024 during Ty Lewis’s leave of absence, and again following Lewis’s official departure in January 2025. After evaluating candidates and considering Huot’s performance during both interim terms, the council determined that a permanent appointment would best serve the city’s need for operational continuity and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Hispanic Business Association members and volunteers (from left) Leticia Gomez, Elizabeth Gutierrez, Maria Elena Garcia, and Rittsi Anguiano pose in front of Anguiano’s photo display at the inaugural Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Paso Robles City Park. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
Paso Robles hosts first official Cinco de Mayo celebration
Hundreds gather for music, dance, and community unity at vibrant event organized by Hispanic Business Association By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Downtown Paso Robles came alive Sunday, May 4, as hundreds gathered in City Park for the city’s first official Cinco de Mayo celebration — a vibrant, family-friendly event filled with music, dancing, food, and local pride. Hosted by the Hispanic Business Association (HBA), the free event showcased cultural traditions of the Hispanic community while promoting unity, local business, and grassroots organizing. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees enjoyed perfor-
mances of live Ballet Folklórico, artisan vendors, festive music, and a variety of food options. Contests such as Best Salsa/Pico de Gallo and Best Pet Costume added fun and flair to the day’s activities. What made this inaugural event especially notable was how quickly it came together. Maria Elena Garcia, program director of the Central Coast Hispanic Business Association, said she was contacted just 60 days prior by Paso Robles Main Street Association Executive Director Norma Moye after a flood of public inquiries about a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
“It was really quick. And so I put it together, called our vendors,” said Garcia. “The easy thing for me is that we run as an association. So I basically just call my members and say, I need your help.” Despite limited time and red tape from city and health department regulations, Garcia managed to rally local support, calling on HBA members and volunteers. “It’s like a trade today, because it’s our first annual. It’s something that I feel like the community wants,” she explained, referring to the give-and-take spirit of CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Fio and Colby DeRodeff, founders of Rockbound Cellars. Photo courtesy of Rockbound Cellars
Roman Leon (second from right) took home first place in the Atascadero Tamale Festival’s Tamale Eating Contest (11 and under), while Gabby Castaneda (second from left) finished second. Photo by Rick Evans/PRP
Paso’s Railroad District — Downtown’s emerging wine scene Entrepreneurial spirit and elegant pours
Thousands Flock to Atascadero for 9th Annual Tamale Festival define mid.point and Rockbound Cellars Sunken Gardens comes alive with music, contests, over 140 vendors, and thousands of tamales By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
ATASCADERO — Downtown Atascadero was sizzling with excitement on Saturday as the community came together to celebrate the 9th Annual Atascadero Tamale Festival around the Sunken Gardens. The event drew large crowds from all over the
CITY
state who came to enjoy a day filled with music, entertainment, contests — and of course — thousands of tamales. This year’s event broke records with over 140 vendors lining the streets, offering a tasty spread of tamales, beverages, sweets, and fair-style favorites. Of those, more than 25 vendors specialized in tamales, traveling from across California to showcase their best
CRIME
traditional, gourmet, and sweet creations. “Judging tamales every year is one of my favorite perks of being on the city council,” said Atascadero Mayor Pro Tem Mark Dariz. “There is such a variety of tamales, and it’s sometimes hard to pick a winner. This event gets better every year. It’s wonderful to see how many vendors we get and how
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
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SPORTS
By MIRA HONEYCUTT
P
aso Robles’ quiet strip of Railroad Street near the downtown park is finally getting some traction. The recent addition of Bottle Shop has added that extra cool hip vibe that may just usher in a vibrant wine and
food scene. Dubbed as the Paso Railroad District, the three-block stretch is populated with businesses ranging from plumbing, heating/air conditioning service and healing therapy to the California Coast Beer Co. It all began with the Eleven CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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