Charreada, a tradition that began in 2016, will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Brownsville Student Union lawn and will feature a jalapeño- eating contest, themed decorations and other activities.
The purpose of the Charreada, which is hosted by Student Activities, is to accompany the Charro Days celebrations that started with Baile del Sol Street Dance last Saturday in downtown Brownsville.
“At the time, it was to bring UTRGV and [Texas Southmost College] together,” said Maria Almanza, student program adviser for Student Activities. “I know it’s a very significant event for the students of UTRGV, particularly those in Brownsville, just because it helps bring inclusion and it helps them celebrate the culture at the Brownsville campus.”
In the past, 200 to 300 students have attended the Charreada and this year, Almanza expects more.
“This year the time was also moved by an hour,” she said. “Last year it was 3 to 6 p.m. This year it’s from 4 to 7 p.m. in hopes that more students will be available to actually participate in the Charreada.”
Departments that will be present at the Charreada include the Office for Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention (OVAVP), UREC, the Department of Housing and Residence Life, the Student Union and the Superhero Project initiative.
“I really hope that the public comes out and enjoys Charreada,” Almanza said. “I just hope professors let students go out and enjoy the event since it is, you know, a culturally significant event.”
Mr. Amigo
In conjunction with the Charro Days celebration is the recognition of Mr. Amigo, a Mexican citizen who symbolizes the unity between the United States and Mexico.
The Mr. Amigo tradition began in the early 1960s with a small group of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce leaders, according to Graciela Salazar, vice president for the Mr. Amigo Association.
“They wanted to discuss a way of promoting the relationships between the United States and Mexico,” Salazar said. “That was kind of the original purpose.”
This year’s Mr. Amigo will be Julio César Chávez, a retired professional Mexican boxer.
“Julio César Chávez is a true champion in the ring and in life,” Salazar read from a letter from Mr. Amigo President Artemio Alvarez. “His first fight earned him 150 pesos and gave every cent to his mother. Later on Sept. 13, 1984 he won his first of many world championship titles and as promised, he bought his mom a house. Those acts of kindness are what champions are all about.”
Salazar said that was the reason the Mr. Amigo president chose him.
In 1964, Miguel Alemán Valdés, former president of Mexico, was named the first Mr. Amigo.
The Mr. Amigo festivities begin with the Hands Across the Border event, which will start at 10 a.m. Friday.
Later, Mr. Amigo will be present at the Lunch at the City and in the evening at the President’s Costume Ball, where La Sonora Santanera will play.
At 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Mr. Amigo will be at the Walk of Fame at Linear Park. From there, he will go to the Grand International Parade, which starts at 1 p.m.
Unlike previous years, Mr. Amigo will not appear at the Texas Southmost College campus.
According to Raul Garza, a former Mr. Amigo Association president, the reason for this is a shorter schedule. Mr. Amigo usually arrives on a Wednesday, but this year he will arrive on Thursday.
Salazar said the goal of having a Mr. Amigo is to celebrate the shared culture, friendship and family of Brownsville and Matamoros.
“We want people, not just here locally, but in other places of the world to know that there’s a really good relationship here between Brownsville and Matamoros,” she said. “We want to be an example for other cities, for other countries.”
Salazar said the association is excited and believes it will be a great year.
“We were able to select and to bring to Brownsville someone like Julio César Chávez,” she said. “He’s one of the greatest sports figures in Mexico. … We’re just very excited to see the response of the public.”
Charro Days Fiesta
Other events that will be hosted in Brownsville by Charro Days Fiesta include:
–Charro Days Art Contest, which will take place Tuesday at the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts;
–Brownsville Independent School District Children’s Charro Days Parade, which will take place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday;
–Noche Mexicana, which will take place from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday at the Jacob Brown Auditorium. Admission is $35;
–Illuminated Night Parade, which will take place at 7 p.m. Friday;
–Charro Days Fiesta Costume Ball, which will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Jacob Brown Auditorium. Admission is $30;
–Color Guard Parade, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. Saturday on Elizabeth Street;
–Grand International Parade, which will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday on Elizabeth Street; and
–Charro Days Carnival which will be open from Thursday until March 8 at the TSC International Technology, Education and Commerce Center at 301 Mexico Blvd.
According to Rosendo Escareño, executive director for Charro Days Fiesta, the Grand International Parade is the event with the most attendance. About 75,000 people attend the parade.
“There’s so many people involved in the parade,” Escareño said. “A lot of families come and see their children and their friends and it’s … really beautiful.”
He believes Charro Days is the most festive time of the year for Brownsville.
“Come and bring your families and enjoy the whole week of festivities,” Escareño said.
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