As part of the city’s Charro Days celebration, UTRGV will host Charreada 2019, which will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday on the Student Union lawn in Brownsville.
Several student organizations will sell antojitos mexicanos, or traditional Mexican snacks, during the Charreada.
Also, a variety of contests will take place during the event, including a grito contest, a jalapeño eating contest, as well as a traditional Mexican costume contest. The winners will be given prizes such as VBucks, UTRGV swag or gift cards for local restaurants.
Cindy Mata-Vasquez, director of Student Activities, said they will also be giving away their traditional Charreada T-shirts.
“We will be giving away … our exclusive Charreada T-shirt that we only do once a year,” Mata-Vasquez said. “We do have a limited quantity so, definitely, I would encourage students to come early, participate, visit some of the different organizations and booths.”
Students will need to present their university IDs to receive a T-shirt.
Mata-Vasquez said this event allows students to experience what college life is.
“I like to think that events like Charreada really open up our university students to experience … a true college event,” she said. “I mean, student organizations will be fundraising, there’s going to be a DJ playing live music and contests. … It’s, really, also a way for them to forget about classes for a little while, enjoy themselves … de-stress in a good environment.”
Jesus Zamora, a criminal justice sophomore, said he has never attended the Charreada at UTRGV before. However, he has been in several Charro Days events in the past.
Zamora hopes to attend Charreada this year to enjoy the music, dances and the food.
Asked what he likes more about Charro Days, he replied, “The influx of culture being spread from the U.S. and Mexico. The festivities surrounding it. The idea that people come together and spread their culture. … It’s a nice way of commemorating our Mexican-American culture.”
The first Charreada took place during the 2016 spring semester to commemorate Charro Days and involve students and the community in the celebration.
At 11 a.m. Thursday, Texas Southmost College will host TSC Amigofest, which will present Mr. Amigo 2018, Arturo Elías Ayub, at the Performing Arts Center.
Elías Ayub is a famous Mexican businessman, CEO of Fundación Telmex Telcel, director of strategic alliances for América Móvil and director of Uno TV.
During the TSC Amigofest, the community will be able to enjoy the mariachi, folkloric dancers, food and several more.
The event is being organized by TSC and the Mr. Amigo Association. Each year, the Mr. Amigo Association honors a Mexican citizen to promote international friendship and goodwill between the U.S. and Mexico.
Mata-Vasquez invites students, faculty, staff and the community to attend the Charreada.
“We look forward to seeing everyone next week,” she said. “We hope that these events make a difference in all of our students. … If they want to see anything different, let us know, send us an email, and we’ll see how we could make it happen.”
