The 48th annual Fiesta Edinburg gets underway Thursday with music, a carnival and a parade.
Ronnie Larralde, Edinburg Chamber of Commerce director of marketing and special events, said this event symbolizes an important moment in Edinburg’s history.
“The county seat went from being at the City of Hidalgo to the City of Edinburg on October 13, 1908,” Larralde said.
“On October 12, they voted about moving the seat from Hidalgo to Edinburg. They met the next morning on October 13 and moved everything. At the time, the city was known as Chapin.”
The city originally was named in honor of Dennis B. Chapin, one of its developers. After Chapin was involved in a homicide, the city changed its name to Edinburg in 1911 in honor of businessman John Young, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.
“Fiesta Edinburg is a festival to celebrate when Edinburg became the county seat [107] years ago,” Larralde said. “It is also a family event and something that the kids back then, who are now adults, would attend when they were young, participating in the park, going to the carnival and eating the festival food.
“Now, these adults are kind of doing the same thing as when they were kids, so this event has become a family tradition,”
Larralde said. “It’s about making new and fun memories and continuing the tradition.”
Celebrations begin Thursday at the Edinburg Municipal Park.
The Heart of America Carnival opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m. The carnival continues through Sunday.
Friday night, musical entertainment will consist of Lucky Joe at 7 p.m., Badd Boyz Del Valle at 8:30 p.m. and Grupo Solido at 10 p.m.
On Saturday, the Fiesta Parade begins at the Hidalgo County Courthouse and continues to Cats Memorial Stadium, located at 1800 S. Stadium Dr. From 2 to 8 p.m. the municipal park will feature a Family Fun Zone.
The Folklórico and Conjunto Invitational Competition takes place from 1:30-5 p.m., followed by the bands Genesis K at 6 p.m., Peyote Hill at 7 p.m.and Costello at 8:30 p.m. Country singer Easton Corbin performs at 10 p.m.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 people are expected to attend the four-day celebration.
“We’re expecting a higher end of that since we have entertainment days on both Friday and Saturday,” Larralde said. “Two-time Grammy-winning Grupo Solido will be performing on Friday and national country artist, Easton Corbin, will be performing on Saturday.”
Patricio Mendoza, a management senior, said this will be his first time attending.
“I didn’t know about this event before until this year, so it’ll be my first time going,” Mendoza said. “I’ll be going with some friends and I’m excited about it. I am looking forward to it and to see the performers.”
Clarissa Muñoz, a marketing and management junior, said she would like to attend.
“I probably will let a few friends know and my sister, too, that there will be a carnival for my nieces,” Muñoz said. “I’m
not from Edinburg, so I don’t know the history on the city but it’s good that they hold this celebration annually so it isn’t forgotten.”
Admission to the festival is $10 Friday and $15 Saturday. Admission for children 12 and younger is $5. Carnival admission is $10. For more information, call the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at 383-4974 or visit www.edinburg.com.
