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6 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE Rio Grande Valley Is published annually by 322 South Missouri Ave., Weslaco, TX Rio Grande Valley Partnership Publisher/Editor Board Chair Deborah Lee Cordova President/CEO Julian Alvarez Publication/Media Director Fawn Foudray-Golich Admin. Assistant/Business Barometer Sandra De Los Santos Membership Director Daniela Villarreal Social Media/Event Director Rachael Reyes The publisher gratefully acknowledges the contributions of each community and artist toward the esthetic compilation of this issue. Rio Grande Valley Partnership s publishing is neither a sponsor of or committed to the views expressed in these articles. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information and listings contained herein, the Rio Grande Valley Partnership - Regional Chamber assumes no liability for errors or omissions. We extend our most sincere gratitude and appreciation to graphic designer, Robin Bullard and notably, Carlos Nunez who contributed countless hours gathering the majority of photographs for the vividly detailed storyline within. Additionally, Rafael Sepulveda, Professional Photography, produced the Schalk Family photos used on the cover and inside story. Heartfelt thanks to the Valley Chambers and Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the Texas Historical Commission for their guidance, patience, encouragement and contributions throughout the development of this project. Furthermore; we thank our State, City and County Officials, EDC s and connected allies of the Rio Grande Valley. No part of this publication may be reproduced, disseminated, published, or transferred in any form or by any means, except with prior written permission of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership Regional Chamber All Rights Reserved 4 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley Introduction to the Valley Welcome from Miss Texas USA Rio Grande Valley Partnership Celebrating 70 Years Grace Heritage Ranch Native Plants The Medicine Man The Docent The Cowboy The Green Thumb The Homesteaders th Annual Butterfly Festival National Butterfly Center Gladys Porter Zoo Nature Hotspots Civil War the Northern Invasion Historical Markers of the Valley Museum of South Texas History Mitte Historic Scale House Brownsville Museum of Fine Art Brownsville On the Border by the Sea Carlos Nuñez Our Featured Photographer Murals of the Valley Holiday Village McAllen City of Palms Mercedes Boot Walk See It Find It Buy It See & Do Veteran Friendly War Memorials of the Valley Border Patrol Merit vs. Media Frenzy Valley Haunts Calendar of Events Festivals & Celebrations Art Venues Port Mansfield One of the Top South Padre Island Sandcastle Capital of the World Antiquing & Flea Markets Farmers Markets of the RGV Chambers of Commerce & Hospitals Eat Drink Be Merry Attractions Map Cover photo by Rafael Sepulveda Photography. Additional photos courtesy of Grace Heritage Ranch, National Butterfly Center, Cameron County Historical Commission, Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce and Rio Grande City EDC

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8 Celebrating 70 Years of Regional Prosperity 1944 Established RGV Partnership 1972 Secured Federal Sugar Cane Act 1966 Founded Lower Rio Grande Water Committee 1964 Helped Pan American College secure four-year status 1948 Relocated Weaver H. Baker Tuberculosis Hospital 1986 Established Commercial Zone 1983 Published Valley Goals Advocated for Tourist Information Center 1974 Advocated Queen Isabella Causeway construction 1994 Created the Regional Mobility Task Force 1990 Established Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse Transporation 1974 Advocated Queen Isabella Causeway construction 1977 Successfully advocated Department of Highways and Public Transportation in Austin for a Tourist Information Center in the Valley located in Harlingen 1992 Assembled Regional Mobility Plan, 200-pages demonstrated a new level of cooperation, requesting $1.6 billion from Texas Transportation Commission to meet regional infrastructure needs for next 30-years, including highways, international bridges, airports, and ports 1994 Created the Regional Mobility Task Force, advocating I-69 project 2003 Created second Mobility Plan, requesting $3.5 billion from Texas Department of Transportation for regional infrastructure projects; currently, more than $500 million in ongoing construction because of Mobility Plan 2013 Created the third regional mobility plan, identifying transportational, maritime, and airport projects 2013 Hosted the first joint Cameron and Hidalgo County RMA meeting 2013 Lead regional delegation in the unveiling of 117 miles of Interstate 69, including Interstate 2 Lloyd Bentsen, Sr. Businessman from Mission, TX First Chairman 1944 Rio Grande valley Partnership Water 1953 Conducted underground water survey of four counties, financed with matching grants from U.S. Geological Survey 1966 Founded Lower Rio Grande Water Committee, which spearheaded bi-national solution then fundraised total Valley share of El Morillo Drain construction ($345,000 in less than one month); the Partnership acts as administrative agent, and continues to do so (2014) 2003 Advocated the creation of the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority, until its enactment, the Rio Grande River was the only river in Texas without sucha state-authorized regional management entity; the Partnership is the administrative agent and continues to do so (2014) Deborah Lee Cordova, Partner Kittleman Thomas Attorneys & Councelors Rio Grande Valley Partnership Chair First woman to lead the Regional Chamber in 69 year history Julian Alvarez President/CEO Rio Grande Valley Partnership Mexico Relations 1949 Aided in the prevention of closing the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros 1951 Sponsored conference that created a multiple-crossing visa for Mexican citizens. Campaigned to improve the Mexico highways between Matamoros and Victoria as well as Reynosa and Monterrey 1986 Created Commercial Zone covering four Valley counties so that Mexican trucks can travel freely, facilitating Maquila work which had been limited to only 20 of 80 packing sheds 1995 Saved the U.S. Consulate at Matamoros from closure by going to D.C. with one voice, then inviting Ambassador Wolf to visit the Valley 2005 Hosted receptions in Austin, Brownsville and Cd. Victoria, so that Tamaulipas Diputados and Texas Legislators may be more familiar with their neighbors 6 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

9 OUR COMMEMORATIVE HISTORICAL TIMELINE 1994 Facilitated Empowerment Zone Application 1994 Opened USDA-ARS Honey Bee Research Unit 2004 Championed Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative 2003 Advocated the creation of the Rio Grande Regional Water Authority 1995 Saved the U.S. Consulate at Matamoros from closure 2013 Lead regional delegation in the unveiling of Interstate 69 and Interstate Created the first endowment for TSTC students in the allied health field 2013 Created first regional economic development guide 2013 Created the first regional endowment supporting the future UT-RGV campus Agricultural 1969 Established Valley Agricultural Research and Development Corporation (VARDC) when 100 investors each contributed $1,000 to make a revolving fund available for land purchases and research projects 1972 Secured Federal Sugar Cane Act, awarding 100,000 ton quota to RGV Sugar Growers Cooperative; currently the only sugar mill in Texas 1994 Opened USDA-ARS Honey Bee Research Unit laboratory on land purchased through VARDC Healthcare 1948 Relocated Weaver H. Baker Tuberculosis Hospital (600 beds) to keep medical facility in Valley (approved by Texas Board of State Hospitals and Special Schools with $2,700,000 appropriation) 1975 Launched seek and search project, introducing young medical doctors in search of a place to practice to the Valley 2004 Championed Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative, first national study of health among any Mexican-American population Education 1964 Helped Pan American College secure four-year status 1990 Created the Regional Valley Proud Honors Banquet, recognizing every valedictorian and salutatorian from every public and private high school in the Rio Grande Valley 2013 Created the first regional endowment supporting the consolidation of the UT-Brownsville and UT-Pan American, future UT-RGV campus 2014 Created the first endowment benefiting students in the allied health field attending Texas State Technical College Tort Reform 1990 Established Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) to help reduce excessive jury awards and frivolous or fraudulent lawsuits; soon expanded with active charters in 28 states 2002 Initiated a sucessful doctors walkout on the Hidalgo and Cameron county courthouse steps 2003 CALA credited with language and passage of Proposition 12, limiting jury awards in Texas 2014 Conducted a study on the affects of the 2012 hailstorm damage Economic Development 1983 After 18-months of research, published Valley Goals 2000, a 148-page master plan for the region; all goals for Valley, including a medical school, are identified 1984 Opened Bid Resources Center, serving area manufacturers interested in doing business with the federal government, funded by the Department of Defense 1986 Established Commercial Zone covering four Valley counties so that Mexican trucks can travel freely, facilitating Maquila work which had been limited to only 20 of 80 packing sheds 1994 Facilitated Empowerment Zone application, 35 pounds of documentation crammed into four notebooks, resulted in $40 million federal investment in infrastructure and job development over 2 years; anticipated $250 million economic impact; one of only three rural empowerment zones in nation 2013 Created first regional economic development guide, identifying regional accomplishments and current projects 2013 Partnered with Rio South Texas Economic Council to market the regional image of the Rio Grande Valley. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 7

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11 Grace Heritage Ranch May very well be just a little bit of Heaven in Willacy County! When you hear the word heritage, it summons thoughts of family ancestry, a by-gone era with an old-fashioned way of cooking, preserving food, working the land, raising animals, or perhaps relating to your neighbors. In Willacy County, the Schalk family homestead is devoted to an earlier, simpler way of life on 100 acres they call Grace Heritage Ranch (GHR). Created in 2010, GHR opened for public tours in December of GHR is the dream of the Schalk family. Brian and Mary Schalk, originally from Wisconsin, moved to the San Antonio area after their marriage in After eight years of Air Force service and a few years of life in Nevada, Brian gathered his wife, daughter, and three sons to settle in South Texas. The family has since increased to include two more sons, daughter-in-law, and a grandson! After living in the small town of Bayview, Texas, they decided to downsize their home and upsize their land, and that s just what they did. They purchased 100 acres and a small home in eastern Willacy County; near a little town called Santa Monica. Once a door closes, we cannot see behind it, and therefore we re not aware of the breathtaking probabilities. After the door opens, ever so faintly, instantaneously the light shines through to give us a glance of the inconceivable joy that is found outside that door. Story and photos courtesy of GHR Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 9

12 Photos courtesy of GHR and Lauren Hudspeth Believing that a simpler way of doing things is still applicable today, they began changing over to a new lifestyle. They started by using simple hand tools to work a 30 by 60 garden plot to grow organic heirloom vegetables. In favor of eggs and meat, the family bred a few chickens that had been given to the children by a local plumber. Shortly thereafter, they included turkeys, geese, additional chickens, goats, cattle, and honey bees. To keep predators at bay, they obtained several donkeys to roam the pastures with the animals. This operation is unique due to the collection of heritage animals. Their stock comes from well-established breeds that have been around since the 1800 s (or earlier) and is valuable to the homestead for their disease resistance, ability to thrive on forage alone, and easy birthing. Heritage breeds also produce enough to support a family, and meet its many diverse demands: eggs, milk, meat, protection, clothing, and labor. The difference between Heritage breeds and industrialized breeds is they are smaller, slower maturing, and have multiple uses rather than one specialized commercial use. In modern society this means they are pretty rare animals! Schalks American Milking Devon cattle are descendants of the original Devons that came to the United States from England in 1623 with the pilgrims. There are only about 1,500 animals of the breed remaining. Though it may seem like a small number (compared to over four million Holstein in the US alone), that s almost double what the global population is of one of their other endangered animals, the San Clemente Island goat. This particular breed has only about 600 goats remaining worldwide. To help with the conservation of these endangered goats, the Schalks have bred and shipped them to Oregon, Maine, North Carolina, and even to the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, Illinois. Besides these animals, they ve recently added a rare breed of spotted, polycerate (multi-horned) sheep, called Jacob Sheep, to be used for their milk, meat, and wool. The story of these sheep goes back to Old Testament. In Genesis 30:31-43 it tells of a man named Jacob known for raising spotted sheep to distinguish his sheep from those of his father-in-law, Laban. 10 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

13 Although not physically here, Jacob helps with everything computer or web based, social media, etc. Pictured, left to right: Matthew, Joseph, Caleb, Yenifer, Joshua, Mary, Brian, Amanda and Ezra in front. The Schalks original intent was to learn more about homesteading, become self-sustaining, and incorporate living-off-the-land skills into their everyday life. They wanted to make intentional choices to improve the quality of life for their family; a simpler lifestyle to instill a strong work ethic into their children, teaching them to be good stewards of the resources God had blessed them with. Although they got that simpler lifestyle, that doesn t necessarily mean it is easier. As the family incorporated these changes and added fresh raw goat s milk, free-range eggs, pasture raised chickens, grass fed beef, honey from their bee hives, and organically raised heirloom vegetables into their diet, friends began asking to visit and bring others to learn how to do some of the things they were doing. In 2012, they talked to their local county commissioner about the possibility of opening their ranch to the public for some educational fun. Education is a passion of the Schalks. Brian and Mary have homeschooled their children for the past 22 years. It was natural for them to develop guided tours that teach visitors about homesteading, heritage Photo by Rafael Sepulveda Photography animals, gardening, and honeybees. They share the importance of conserving and reestablishing native grasses they ve planted for their cattle to graze on and provide facts about wind farming. All this falls under an umbrella of encouragement and inspiration in making life changes for not only themselves, but others that pay a visit. The 2.5 hour guided tours are not only educational, but they are packed with fun! At Grace Heritage Ranch, you ll get hands-on opportunities to milk a goat or cow, interact with and feed the heritage breeds of cattle, goats, donkeys, and fowl, and spin cotton into yarn. You ll see a working Texas oil well from the front gate of the ranch, learn a bit of the historical significance the area holds, and see the inner workings of a honeybee hive up close. And, just maybe you ll gain an appreciation for some of the natural predators when you check out their pet tarantula or meet and greet one of their friendly and enchanting snakes. You will also get to see Embden geese, a beautiful India Blue peacock and peahen, and meet their potbellied pigs, Harley and Henry. Beyond the animals, you ll have a chance to observe the organic mixed fruit tree orchard and three-section rotational garden. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 11

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15 They not only open their ranch to individuals and families, but also to groups from businesses, schools, retirement homes, and Winter Texan Parks. Folks celebrate anniversaries and birthdays at GHR. Some visitors come to learn what s happening on the ranch and share their own experiences of incorporating self-sustaining practices into their lifestyle. Others simply enjoy an outing here in the Rio Grande Valley. As the Schalks guest, you ll get a glimpse of how life used to be when the whole family worked together to provide their own nutritious food and meet life s need;, sharing joys and facing challenges together. Life on a ranch affords opportunities for everyone in the family to work. Chores may include bee keeping or removals, animal husbandry/curative care, general maintenance, checking fence lines and stock tanks, harvesting foods from the wild or from cultivated plants, pruning blackberries and rooting the cuttings, sprouting seeds and raising new trees for the orchard, using an old-fashioned wheel hoe to till the garden, weeding the garden, collecting seeds from heirloom plants for next season s garden, or hand-dipping beeswax candles. Daily milking means turning fresh goat s milk into yogurt, cheese, kefir, ice cream, and even soap. After making compost, tilling, planting, and upkeep of the garden, an abundant harvest places a focus on canning, dehydrating, and freezing to provide until the next harvest (or to have on hand in case next season s garden doesn t do so well). Most days you ll find the house full of aromas with freshly baking sourdough breads and the fragrant pot of simmering bones and vegetables that keep a delicious broth continually hot and ready eat. It may be busy out on the ranch, but it s not all work. The family enjoys evenings around a fire with family and friends, playing instruments, reading books, photography, target shooting, spinning fibers, knitting, quiet times reading the Bible, or just sitting together on the porch with the dog napping nearby and friendly kitties looking for a lap. At day s end, the fading light of the South Texas sunset gives way to the soft, warm glow of oil lamps. The Schalk family is working daily to glean and preserve the wisdom of the past, maintain the present, and share it for the benefit of future generations. Wise stewardship of God s provision is part of their plan and lifestyle; warm hospitality to visitors is just an extension of who they are. To learn more about Grace Heritage Ranch, find visitor information, or tour prices and times, visit and their Facebook page at For a recorded message, please call toll free at: VISIT-GHR ( ) Local Number: Photos courtesy of GHR and Lauren Hudspeth Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 13

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17 Native Plants HOW they LOOk & WHat they DO The Rio Grande Valley is legendary for lush vegetation, delicious citrus and flowering plants that color the landscape in dazzling shades of fuchsia, chartreuse and amethyst. We also have thorny brush, prickly cactus and sharp grasses that cut, stick and tear the careless or unsuspecting. Sweet perfumes and pungent odors emanate from blossoms and beds that harbor insects, birds, reptiles and animals as brilliant and dangerous as the native plants that shelter them. The remarkable plants, shrubs and trees of South Texas are hearty, varied, beneficial and surprisingly seasonal, in an area best known for extreme heat and the occasional hurricane. Designed to tolerate drought and heavy rains, high winds and light freezes, the native plants of the Lower Rio Grande Valley also cover diverse terrain, including coastal marshes, palm forests, savannah grasslands, thorny scrublands, clay lomas and riparian woodlands. The caretakers and curators of the plants peculiar to these places are committed advocates and passionate proponents, working to restore lost habitat and preserve what still remains. From remote Rancho Lomitas outside of Rio Grande City, to Grace Heritage Ranch in the little village of Santa Monica, these folks are growing, showing, sharing and educating to turn regular people into empowered gardeners and citizen conservationists. The following pages tell their stories. Story by Marianna Wright Photo by Carlos Nuñez Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 15

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19 The Medicine Man BeNItO trevino Benito Trevino, founder of Rancho Lomitas, grew up in a family of migrant farm workers at the intersection of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Convenience. Although they had very little in the way of money or material things, his grandmother, aunts and father each possessed invaluable knowledge concerning the healing properties and practical uses of plants that could be found outside. From the age of five, Benito recalls being taught how to identify these plants by flowers, leaves and other features so he could locate and retrieve them, when sent on such errands. His early childhood education engendered an appreciation for plants that grew, over many years, into a fascination that fuels him to this day. Determined to break the cycle of poverty and insecurity that plagues migrant farm workers, Benito enlisted in the U.S. Army, during Vietnam, in order to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. When he finally got the opportunity to go to college, he chose Botany as his degree field. At the University of Texas, he discovered his professors, many of whom were international authorities in their area of expertise, had tremendous technical insight into the life of plants, but lacked any applied or cultural awareness of their significance to mankind. This, he learned, was his strength. After graduation, it took Benito two years in an oilfield laboratory in Alaska to save enough money to return to Starr County and buy the property that is now Rancho Lomitas. Here, he and his wife, Toni, have literally become the guardians of special cacti, flowers, herbs and plants of anthropological importance to indigenous peoples. Today, these plants are potentially important to all people, asserts Benito, as we are just beginning to understand their chemical compositions and pharmacological applications, which may treat disease and even cure cancers. You re invited to explore Rancho Lomitas on your own or join a guided tour to experience this rugged habitat in Starr County, with the most gracious of down-to-earth hosts. Rancho Lomitas La Sagunada Rd. Rio Grande City, TX Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 17

20 The Docent ken king In the heart of Weslaco is a hidden gem known as the Valley Nature Center. This six-acre oasis has been set aside as a sanctuary, where native plants and wildlife thrive inside the city limits. One of the VNC s greatest assets is Ken King, vice president of the board of directors and co-author (with Alfred Richardson) of Plants of Deep South Texas: A Field Guide to the Woody and Flowering Species. An exhaustive tome, this text is considered by many to be the authoritative index of native plants of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Featuring abundant photos, brief descriptions and illustrations of leaf shapes and flower parts of more than 800 plant species, King s book speaks volumes about his regard for native plants and their importance. Together, his book and his work at the VNC are designed to encourage others to do more than grow awareness about native plants; his goal is for people to prize them. Instead of asking, what s this good for? explains King, people ought to plant the natives that appeal to them and learn from them, through meaningful, personal experiences that help us re-connect with the natural world. Diversity is a great thing, essential to healthy and sustainable ecosystems. For this reason, King insists, we need to increase the volume and variety of native plants present in our communities. The VNC is doing their part to preserve native habitat and make their small refuge a model for other projects. Valley Nature Center 301 S. Border Ave. Weslaco, TX Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

21 The Cowboy Max MuñOz On the banks of the Rio Grande River in Mission, Texas, sits the National Butterfly Center, a gleaming monument to the beauty of butterflies and the mission of the North American Butterfly Association. Dedicated to Growing Connections between people, plants and wildlife, this nonprofit organization is working through education and other initiatives to ensure wild butterflies will be here for future generations to enjoy. At the center of the Center is grounds manager, Max Muñoz, the man responsible for tending the gardens and trails, nursery and amenities that entice visitors to enjoy this 100-acre nature park all year round. This cowboy, from rural McCook, has been tasked with converting what was once an onion field back to native habitat, in order to create breeding and feeding areas for wildlife. The result, he says, is a living laboratory and an ever-changing demonstration garden that proves if you plant it, they will come. Max is completely at home in the outdoors, among the butterflies, birds and bugs, where he and his staff observe and document the daily interaction of species, recording which butterflies use which plants as hosts, or for nectar. They also propagate about eighty species of native plants for introduction to the commercial horticultural trade, so that everyone may incorporate butterfly gardens in their landscape. If you are interested in replicating what you see at the National Butterfly Center, Max is your go-to guy for a simple explanation of how to use native plants to restore habitat and attract wildlife to your yard no matter the size. National Butterfly Center 3333 Butterfly Park Dr. Mission, TX Photos courtesy of National Butterfly Center Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 19

22 The Green Thumb MIke Heep Mike Heep has been in in the nursery business, supplying landscapers, nature centers and individuals, since Following his father s footsteps, he runs an intensive agricultural enterprise on two packed acres just west of downtown Harlingen. The nursery is open every day, unless I am somewhere else, states Heep, a humble man who has earned his reputation as the Johnny Appleseed of South Texas. With an inventory greater than anyone in the RGV, his customary stock of species of native plants is simply unrivaled. When asked about how his variety of plant species became so vast, he explains, It mostly came from seeing something growing somewhere and thinking it would be cool to have one of those. So I would collect the seed or take a clipping. In this manner, Heep expanded his focus from perennial favorites, such as palms, citrus, avocado, papaya, mango and guavas, to include other popular plants, like the Wild Olive and Purple Sage. Before 1984, there was little interest in native plants for landscaping or commercial production, states Heep, But the big freeze in 1983 changed all of that. Many people lost everything in their yards that year, and Valley citrus growers suffered a devastating $500 million setback, sacrificing three-fourths of their harvest to the hard freeze. This catastrophic loss resulted in a fundamental shift, which has renewed appreciation for native plants and the multitude of benefits they provide for people and wildlife. Mike Heep owes his success to a green thumb and an abundance of native plants, which he continues to seek, salvage and seed for pleasure and profit. When asked about his agenda, Heep lowers his head and says, You know, this is just what I do. I get up in the morning and I do the work. Indeed, he does, seven days a week, with the loving support of his wife, three children and five dogs, in this happy little garden, where all are welcome. Heep s Nursery 1714 S. Palm Court Dr. Harlingen, TX Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

23 The Homesteaders BRIaN & MaRy SCHaLk Much further to the east, Brian Schalk and his wife, Mary, have settled their family on a slice of heaven they call Grace Heritage Ranch. Here, the Schalks are homesteading in search of greater self-sufficiency. What they seem to have found is serenity, in spite of the hard work and many challenges that come with ranching, tending livestock, producing food and homeschooling children. The Schalks make use of native plants in a variety of ways. The entrance to the farm is planted with flowering Golden-eye daisy and Wedelia, as well as Spanish Dagger and Red Yuccas, spineless Prickly Pear and Esperanza. We planted these because they grow well without us having to water them, states Brian. They survive wonderfully on rain water and dew. Some provide food for us, like the yucca flowers or prickly pear fruit and nopales, and sustenance for an abundance of bees and butterflies. In April, 2012, they planted thirty acres with a variety of native grasses, which were chosen because of their resistance to drought. These grasses are wellsuited to saline soil, reseed on their own, provide cover for small animals and make good feed for the cattle. Also native to this area of Texas are mesquite trees. These trees produce seed pods that animals and humans can eat. Mary has ground up the whole pod to make gluten-free flour that is high in protein, and mixed it with whole wheat flour for homemade pizza crusts and banana bread. Using honey from their bees, the Schalks can produce tasty Mesquite jelly from these seedpods, too. Over the course of the last four years building Grace Heritage Ranch, the family s goals have changed somewhat. They are still working to reach a point of off-grid independent, but believe that includes forming strong ties to their neighbors and respecting wildlife and native plants. They have also become evangelists for the experiment they are living and loving. Recognizing the interdependence of all things, the Schalks are now actively engaged in teaching others about things that were once considered basic and helping people overcome a common problem: alienation from Nature. In this manner, they hope to spread good stewardship of the land and all of our precious natural resources, including native plants and pollinators, to ensure the sustainability of healthy ecosystems upon which humanity relies. Grace Heritage Ranch Old Alice Rd. Santa Monica, TX Top photo by Rafael Sepulveda Photography Other photos courtesy of Grace Heritage Ranch Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 21

24 Crescent Dagger Wing Dragonfly Gray Hairstreak Great Purple Hairstreak Red Rim 22 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

25 Common Mestra Story and photos courtesy of National Butterfly Center Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 23

26 By far the greatest place to enjoy wild, free-flying butterflies in the United States is the National Butterfly Center. This 100-acre nature park is dedicated to native plants, the majority of which provide breeding and feeding habitat for butterflies, hummingbirds and wildlife. Once an onion field, this preserve is now a spectacular re-vegetation project featuring formal, botanical gardens and wildscape that make it a living laboratory, inside the Lower Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Conservation Corridor. Make the trip to Mission, this year, for the 20th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival, and see for yourself why the Rio Grande Valley has gained worldwide recognition for excellent butterflying and birding. Select activities from the festival schedule that fit your interests to discover a remarkable assortment of refuges, parks and nature trails across a four-county region that encompasses no fewer than eleven different types of habitat. From tidal wetlands and riparian forests, to grassy savannah and thorny scrublands, the Texas Butterfly Festival enables visitors to sample it all in search of some 300 species of butterflies, 500 species of birds, 200 vertebrate species, and over 90 species of dragonflies! Tropical Leafwing Learn more or register at Top Seven Nature Festivals Rio Grande Valley Coastal Expo Hosted by: Edinburg Scenic Wetlands in mid-february. See and touch crabs, sea stars, and other coastal animals; view a glass-bottom stream; solve a mysterious fish kill; learn what washes up on the Texas coast; and so much more. Call: for more information or visit: Ocelot Conservation Festival Hosted by: Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in March. Fewer than 50 of these native wild cats are estimated to be left in the U.S., all of which are found in deep South Texas. Experience their beauty at Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. Call for more information or visit: Vida Verde & Run Wild 5K Hosted by: Quinta Mazatlan, McAllen. Annual Earth Day Festival in mid-april, features live animal adventures, magicians, music, over 70 vendors & artists, farmer s market, organic cooking classes for adults & youth and a children s discovery zone. Call for more information or visit: Zebra Heliconian Spooky Science Fest A night of nature and science exploration investigates the world of "Cold-blooded" creatures in Weslaco.Typically held in mid-october. Call for more information or visit: Wild in Willacy Nature and Heritage Festival Hosted by Raymondville Chamber of Commerce, Wild in Willacy Boot Fest is held in late October and offers its guests an opportunity to "go beyond the gates" of some otherwise inaccessible ranches. Call for more information or visit: Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival Harlingen has been recognized by the American Birding Association, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks & Wildlife, and birding experts throughout the nation as a leader in the field of ecotourism. RGV Birding Festival takes place in early November. For information, call R-GVBF or visit: Texas Butterfly Festival Hosted by: The National Butterfly Center in Mission during early November. Spend 4 days exploring renowned public lands and private properties with world-class trip leaders and expert guides during prime butterfly season. For more information, call or visit: 24 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

27 the National Butterfly Center is Growing Connections, and so much more! Currently under construction and planting are the Texas Butterfly Gardens, the Texas Savannah Trails & Ayenia Refugium (TEXSTAR), and the Butterfly Conservatory & Outdoor Classroom. Altogether, these three projects represent almost $500,000 in added features that will benefit native plants, wildlife and visitors seeking a walk on the wild side. Expanding the gardens at the National Butterfly Center fulfills our mission in multiple ways, explains Marianna Trevino Wright, Executive Director. I laughingly tell people the more we plant the longer they stay; but the truth is the more we plant, the more butterflies, caterpillars and birds we have and the greater our value proposition is for visitors. After all, the gardens are intended to be beautiful and educational. More than ten years ago, the old research gardens were planted at what was called the NABA International Butterfly Park. At that time, native plants that produce nectar for butterflies or make good food for caterpillars were sought out, collected and propagated for this colorful, wonderful test of If you build it, they will come. And come, they did; millions upon millions of them and more than 200 species! As a result, the National Butterfly Center was recently named one of the Top Gardens in Texas by the San Antonio Express-News. At present, the National Butterfly Center is still seeking, collecting and propagating native plants for use on the property and for introduction to the commercial horticultural trade. With more than 100 species of native plants on the property, the new gardens and greenhouse facility will substantially increase breeding and feeding habitat for wildlife, and improve engagement opportunities for visitors. Watercolor by Thomas Schaller The Texas Butterfly Garden was conceived and designed to showcase native plant species in formal, botanical garden fashion. Here, the sunken, butterfly-wing gardens, the graduated (tiered) gardens and the delineated, demonstration beds will be configured by plant and butterfly species-association, to help people comprehend the dynamic relationship between hosts and caterpillars. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 25

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29 In stark contrast to the Texas Butterfly Gardens, TEXSTAR will replicate the single most endangered habitat in Texas: the savannah grassland. This joint venture between the National Butterfly Center and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is the second project these two organizations have undertaken as the Center vigorously acts to restore what was once a commercial onion field. The first project, the Geoffrey McAllen Memorial Native Grassland & Wildflower Refugium, surrounds the Visitor s Pavilion and serves as a preserve for the federally-endangered Slender Rush-pea, among other plant species of interest. Re-vegetating old agricultural land such as ours with endangered Tamaulipan Kidneypetal or Texas Ayenia (Ayenia limitaris), and assorted native butterfly plants, is our best chance at creating a nearly-continuous conservation corridor and shoring up shrinking habitat for butterflies and other South Texas wildlife, states Wright. This sanctuary for one endangered species is a tangible reminder of the many plants and animals that may disappear from our landscape if action is not taken to preserve them; not to mention the loss of clean water, clean air and sustainable food sources, which are also tied to native habitats. Growing awareness of the National Butterfly Center is not only increasing the nonprofit organization s need for facilities, but expanding opportunities for them to impact the community in a variety of ways. One such opportunity involves supporting the efforts of teachers and exceeding their expectations outside the classroom with Project WildTM certified environmental education. Malachite Monarch As the result of increasing interest in what we do, we ve outgrown our Visitor s Pavilion in three short years, states Wright. Although this space remains relevant for receiving guests, hosting special events and hanging exhibits, it was never intended to hold a hundred, hyperactive third graders on a field trip. For this reason, we are thrilled to build the Butterfly Conservatory & Outdoor Classroom. Thanks to a generous grant to support green initiatives from the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust, the National Butterfly Center is now building a greenhouse structure that will serve as an extension of the Nursery and double as classroom space for civic clubs and student groups interested in learning with nature. Silver-banded Hairstreak The Butterfly Conservatory & Outdoor Classroom is designed to lure the public at-large into the wilderness to receive conservation education in a contrived setting, asserts Wright. Here, people cannot help but learn about Growing Connections in spite of themselves. It s our goal to provide everyone who visits this place the experience of a lifetime one that will give them the tools they need to become practical stewards of our natural treasures. The Texas Butterfly Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory & Outdoor Classroom are expected to be completed by spring of 2015, with TEXSTAR development lasting two-three years. To learn more about these projects and the mission of the National Butterfly Center, please visit Donations or planned gifts to support these projects and the work of the Center are welcome and may be made online or by calling The National Butterfly Center is committed to Growing Connections between people, plants, and the winged wonders that pollinate and propagate all that grows around us. We do this through educational and environmental initiatives that cultivate meaningful understanding of the processes that create sustainable ecosystems. The Center is open to the public, for visitors and members, seven days/week. Your annual membership or charitable gift impacts the beauty of our community and helps preserve the biologically diverse, natural treasures of deep, South Texas. Provided by: Marianna Wright, Executive Director Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 27

30 The Gladys Porter Zoo is an oasis nestled in the heart of Brownsville, with 28 acres of lush tropical plants and some 1,600 animals. In a mere ¾ mile trek, a visitor at Gladys Porter Zoo will encounter a diverse ensemble of 377 species of animals and 225 species of plants. The Zoo is open everyday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with extended summer hours. There is always something going on at the Zoo. Below are a few of our annual events: Winter Texan Discount Day 1st Wednesday in February Kids Appreciation Day 1st Sunday in August Zoofari 1st weekend in October Boo at the Zoo October 30th & 31st Zoo Nights & Lights 1st weekend in December 500 Ringgold Street Brownsville, Texas (956) Photos by Carlos Nuñez Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

31 Zoo Entrance 2 Crowned Crane 3 Sumatran Orangutan 4 Galapagos Tortoise 5 Southern White Rhinoceros 6 Mandrill Baboon 6 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 29

32 1 2 1 Western lowland Gorilla 4 Reticulated Python 2 Dromedary Camel 5 Scarlet Ibis 3 Orinoco Crocodile 6 Tiger 30 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

33 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 31

34 Serval Cat Silk Floss Tree Miniature Zebu Nigerian Dwarf Goat American Miniature Horse American Flamingo Reticulated Giraffe Pygmy Hippopotamus 3 32 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 4

35 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 33

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37 Nature Hotspots SpeNDING time IN NatuRe IS a HeaLING energy BENTSEN-RIO GRANDE VALLEy STATE PARK 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive, Mission Park open daily, 7 a.m p.m. Park store open daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tram Service daily, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Adult (13 years and over) - $5 Children (12 years and under) - Free Group (ten or more) - $3 USFWS BOCA CHICA TRACT & HISTORIC PALMITO RANCH BATTLEFIELD Boca Chica Beach, Brownsville From Expressway 77/83, exit Boca Chica Blvd. (Hwy. 4) in Brownsville and continue east to Boca Chica Beach. Five species of sea turtles - including the nesting endangered Kemp's Ridleys - have been found along Refuge beaches at the mouth of the Rio Grande. Beyond the beaches and the tidal flats, old coastal sand dunes --called lomas-- sprout thick brush that provides habitat for ocelots and jaguarundi. EDINBURG SCENIC WETLANDS 714 S. Raul Longoria, Edinburg Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday (summer), 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed Sunday Grounds open daily, sunrise to sunset. Admission Adults - $3 Seniors (55 & up) - $2 Children (5 & up) - $2 Please call ahead for group rates ESTERO LLANO GRANDE STATE PARK 3301 S. International Blvd. (FM 1015), Weslaco a.m - 5 p.m. Adults - $5 Children 12 and under - Free Summer hours June - October our Visitors Center is closed Monday and Tuesday - Please pay at the Self-pay Station located on the Brick walkway. FALCON DAM Located on the Rio Grande between Starr County in the U.S. State of Texas and the City of Nueva Ciudad Guerrero in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas Falcon State Park 146 Park Road 46, Roma Open daily, gate open 6 a.m p.m. Adult - $3 Daily Adult (Holiday) - $5 Daily Child 12 Years and Under: Free FRED STONE COUNTy PARK Located on the north side of Port Mansfield at the intersection of TX 186 and Bayshore Drive/FM 606 Site open for day use only - lighted for night fishing No charge FRONTERA AUDUBON SOCIETy 1101 South Texas Blvd., Weslaco Tuesday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, 12 noon - 4 p.m. Closed Monday Adults (13 and up) - $5 Seniors (65 and over) - $4.00 Children (12 and under) - Free HEAVIN RESACA TRAIL N. Resaca Dr. & Bus. U.S. 77 San Benito HILLTOP GARDENS 100 Lees Ln., Lyford ext Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. General/Adults - $3 Children 5-12yrs - $1 Children Under 5 yrs - Free Tours Audio tour - $5 - daily (includes admission) Guided tour - $8 - Tuesday - Friday only (with reservation, 3-day notice please) Photos courtesy of City of San Benito, Terry Neal, Matthew Schalk Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 35

38 NATURE HOTSPOTS HARLINGEN ARROyO COLORADO (Hugh Ramsey Park) 1001 S. Loop 499, Harlingen Office open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Nature trails are open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. Admission Nature trails are open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. HARLINGEN THICKET Harlingen From Taft head E. toward Commerce, turn R into Thicket just before RR tracks LAGUNA ATASCOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Ocelot Road, Los Fresnos The refuge is open seven days a week during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset). Visitor Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 days a week (closed Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas). First Sunday of every month is FREE! General - $3 per vehicle Commercial Groups (tour companies & guides) - $25 per vehicle School Groups, Boy or Girl Scout Troops Free (includes all accompanying teachers, aides, and parents) LAGUNA POINT Port Mansfield Take a left off Matagorda, just before Port South, to Laguna Point. 700 ft. lighted pier, floating pier for small craft, trails along water with wildlife/birding trail signage. Kid friendly playground and shaded picnic tables. Open daily No charge LA SAL DEL REy Specialty tours may be available Contact Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge NATIONAL BUTTERFLy CENTER 3333 Butterfly Park Dr., Mission Open 365 days a year! September - March, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. April - August, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. LOCAL RESIDENTS: Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy and Starr County residents with id: Adults - $5 Children (5-12) - $2 Children under 5 - Free The LOCAL RESIDENT rate applies to Winter Texans, who present their park badges. OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE 902 South 2nd Street, Hidalgo Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Saturday Adults - $4 Seniors - $3 Children -$2 Hours and admission fees apply only to the historic pumphouse. Photos courtesy of Rio Grande City EDC Terry Neal and City of San Benito 36 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

39 PALO ALTO BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK 1623 Central Boulevard, Suite 213, Brownsville x333 Visitor Center - Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st. Trails, tours & events The battlefield overlook and trails are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park's special event and program season runs from September - May. Guided tours are available from December 1st - April 1st. There is never a fee for use of or entry to Palo Alto Battlefield. Additionally, all park programs and events are free of charge. Photos courtesy of Terry Neal PORT MANSFIELD NATURE TRAIL Port Mansfield Centrally located in Port Mansfield, on TX 186, park near the TX Parks and Wildlife boat ramp trails pass through mixed grassland and tidal flats Open daily No Charge QUINTA MAZATLAN 600 Sunset Dr., McAllen Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Open Thursday Evenings until dark Closed Sunday and Monday Adults - $3 Seniors 65 and over - $2 Children ages 5 to 12 - $2 Children ages 4 and under - FREE! RESACA DE LA PALMA STATE PARK 1000 New Carmen Ave., Brownsville Park: 7 a.m p.m. Office: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Visitors Center: Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please help us track visitation by using Self-pay station at main gate when Visitors Center is closed General/Adults - $4 Children 12 and under - Free RIO GRANDE CITy FORDyCE NATURE & RUNNING TRAILS (NEW) RIO GRANDE CITy FORDyCE HIKE & BIKE TRAILS 1946 W. Hwy. 83, Rio Grande City Open daily dawn to dusk No charge NATURE HOTSPOTS Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 37

40 NATURE HOTSPOTS ROMA BLUFFS 610 N. Portscheller St., Roma Office: Tuesday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Nature Trails open seven days a week, free to the public. SABAL PALM SANCTUARy 8435 Sabal Palm Grove Rd, Brownsville Open 7 days a week, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission Adults - $5 Children (12 and under) - $3 SALIñENO TRACT TRAIL Just below Falcon Dam, visitors can enjoy a wildlife watching utopia. A short trail leads into the Chihuahuan thorn forest. Contact Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge SANTA ANA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 3325 Green Jay, Alamo Visitors to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge can pay entrance fees by cash or check at the Visitor Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily or with exact change at the self-pay station when the Visitor Center is closed. SOUTH PADRE ISLAND BIRDING & NATURE CENTER 6801 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island Hours subject to change with season! Please call ahead to make sure the times have not changed. Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Adults - $5 Students & Seniors $4 Children 4-12 yrs. - $2 Children Under 4 yrs. (with paid adult) - Free Board Walks & Nature Trails Open 7-days a week with paid admission, 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset (Turn style system available for credit card payment) VALLEy NATURE CENTER 301 S Border Ave., Weslaco, TX Hours Closed Monday Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Adults - $3 Seniors $2 Children under 12 - $1 Photos courtesy of Terry Neal and Matthew Schalk Entrance fees are charged whether visitors are walking, driving or bicycling on the refuge. All vehicles must display a valid entrance pass. The first Sunday of every month is FREE! Daily Permits General Visitors - $5 vehicle parking fee Groups (Non-commercial) - $1 per person ($3 min.) (Commercial) - $25 single visit fe $100 annual fee School Groups Free (includes all accompanying teachers, aides, and parents) Annual & Lifetime Permits Available 38 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

41 1865 CIVIL WAR THE NORTHERN INVASION VISIT THE ONLy REENACTMENT IN SOUTH TEXAS DEDICATED TO THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR! Civil War activities are heating up with Cameron County s Historical Commission! When Texas joined the Confederacy and fought in the war, its fate was uncertain. The war touched every portion of the population and all aspects of life in Texas. Refugio Benavides grasped action with Rip Ford in the Confederate Rio Grande expedition. Moving downriver from Laredo, Benavides's company was utilized on a number of occasions by Ford for scouting purposes because of the Tejanos' familiarity with South Texas. On June 25, 1864, Benavides was in the battle at Las Rucias, upriver from Brownsville. Ford, by using an "obscure trail through the chaparral" was able to "get within a few hundred yards of the enemy before being discovered. "Benavides was sent in a flanking movement to attack the federal force but was stopped twice by a small lagoon. He was able, however, to join Ford for a final attack that overran the federals. In his report of the battle, Ford singled out Benavides for his gallant conduct during the battle. TX State Historical Association Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 39

42 2015 EVENT CALENDAR MONDAy, MAy 11, 2015 WELCOME DINNER BROWNSVILLE - COST Welcome Dinner featuring Country Music Legend and Hall of Fame Singer, Larry Gatlin and others. FRIDAy, MAy 15, 2015 MEET THE AUTHORS BROWNSVILLE - COST A up close and personal setting with the only two authors of the Battle of Palmito Ranch. TUESDAy, MAy 12, 2015 BATTLEFIELD CEREMONy & TOUR FREE/ TOUR AT EXTRA COST Ceremony to be held at Palmito Ranch with honored dignitaries and others. Tours will be conducted throughout the day. WEDNESDAy, MAy 13, 2015 MUSIC PROGRAM BROWNSVILLE - FREE Program to be done by various choirs throughout Texas singing traditional songs of the period along with guest speakers. THURSDAy, MAy 14, 2015 SyMPOSIUM BROWNSVILLE - FREE Final symposium having a panel of local and national historians discussing various aspects of the Battle of Palmito Ranch. SATURDAy, MAy 16, 2015 REENACTMENT BROWNSVILLE FREE VIP AT EXTRA COST A once in a lifetime event to see, the reenactment of the Battle of Palmito Hill will have all that one would want; Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry! Come see a one and only kind of event in south Texas. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR TICKET INFORMATION. WEBSITE: info@ph150.us CONTACT NUMBER: (956) Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

43 To conclude the 150th Sesquicentennial activities, Cameron County will host Palmito Hill Week, May 11th - 16th, The week will include: musical productions, symposiums, and the last reenactment for the Battle of Palmito Hill. This authentic, historically accurate reenactment will be the first of its kind and one not to miss! It was the critical moment of the Battle of Palmetto Ranch, the last land action of the Civil War, fought near Brownsville, by Union and Confederate forces well aware of the surrender of Robert E. Lee four weeks earlier. The last battle of the war was a resounding Confederate victory, but it could not change the strategic reality that the South had been defeated. A few days after the battle, Ford disbanded his command and sent his troops home. TX Military Forces Museum Admission is FREE - Come hear and see history like you never have before! For more information, please contact the Cameron County Historical Commission by calling: (956) or visit: Photos courtesy of Cameron County Historical Commission Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 41

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47 HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY Roma Historic District The Roma Historic District is a National Historic Landmark that includes property along Estrella and Hidalgo Streets; between Garfield Street and Bravo Alley in Roma, TX. The Roma Historic District Visitor Station is located at 77 Convent Ave. on the plaza. Several buildings within the district have been recorded by the National Park Service s Historic American Buildings Survey. For more information, visit Roma City Hall, 77 E. Convent Ave. or call NOAH COX HOUSE 208 Convent Street Roma circa 1850 s MANUEL GUERRA RESIDENCE AND STORE 702 N. Portscheller Street Roma 1884 LEOCADIA GARCIA HOUSE 207 Convent Street Roma circa 1840 s LINO RAMIREZ HOUSE & ROSITA S CANTINA 701 N. Portscheller Street Roma circa 1880 s WORLD BIRDING CENTER GARCIA RAMIREZ STORE 610 N. Portscheller St. Roma 1878 OUR LADy OF REFUGE CHURCH 3 W. St. Eugene De Mazonod Ave. Roma circa 1850 s SANTA ANA CHAPEL 708 N Estrella Street Roma 1840 OLD CUSTOMS BUILDING 301 W. Lincoln Ave. Roma circa 1850 s WATER TOWER 208 W. Lincoln Roma (date unknown) Starr County Rio Grande City Historic District Rio Grande City is one of the oldest towns in the lower Rio Grande region and the Rio Grande City Downtown Historic District contains the most concentrated and intact collection of buildings in the Rio Grande Valley. The historic district lies at the heart of the South Texas border town and contains the city s best collection of commercial, domestic and combination commercial and residential properties dating from its earliest period of development, c. 1840, to the end of the district construction, about For more information, visit Rio Grande City EDC, 406 E. Main St FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 312 East 4th Street 1888 FORT RINGGOLD Rio Grande City School grounds, 1/4 mi. SE of Jct. US 83 & TX 755 c. mid 1800s ROBERT E LEE HOUSE US 83 at Fort Ringgold c OUR LADy OF LOURDES GROTTO 305 N. Britton Ave. c LA BORDE HOUSE 601 E. Main St c ARCADIO F. SALINAS HOUSE 616 E. Mirasoles St 1800 SILVERIO DE LA PENA BUILDING 423 E. Main Street, Rio Grande City Source: National Register of Historic Places TIJERINA COURTyARD 406 E. Main c. late 1800s OLD HISTORIC RIO GRANDE CITy CEMETERy North West Street near West 2nd Street C Photos courtesy of City of Roma, City of Rio Grande City, Starr County Industrial Foundation Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 45

48 Hidalgo County Mission Area Historic Sites Mission is known as the home of the grapefruit. For nearly 250 years, the descendants of the original Spanish settlers in this area have ranched the huge porciones-oblong blocks of land nine-thirteenths of a mile wide, at the Rio Grande and extending up to sixteen miles north. The settlement of La Lomita began in the area with a small chapel built by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Land surrounding the chapel was deeded to Oblate fathers Pierre Yves Keralum and Pierre Fourrier Parisot. The town was first located at La Lomita chapel and was built in about 1865 on the farm that later became the mission. For more information, visit the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. (see page 110) Source: Texas State Historical Association 1 LA LOMITA CHAPEL 3 mi. south of Exp. 83 on FM LOS EBANOS FERRy West of Mission on FM s HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY OUR LADy OF GUADALUPE CHURCH 6th Street & Dunlap 1927 THE BORDER THEATRE 905 N. Conway Ave 1942 CHIMNEy PARK/LIFT STATION 4224 S. Conway 1914 THE MANSION ON SHARy 4915 N. Shary Rd 1917 THE RIO THEATRE 516 Doherty 1812 EL GRANJENO CEMETERy North side of Farm Road 494 Five miles south of Bus Hwy Photos courtesy of Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce & Chimney Park Historic McAllen Sites Since it s settling in 1904, areas surrounding McAllen were mostly rural or agricultural in character. But during the last half of the twentieth century, McAllen saw steady development, accelerating throughout the 1980s, leading into an economic/population boom during the 1990s and 2000s. Today McAllen Edinburg Mission metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing MSA s in the U.S. For more information, visit the McAllen CVB. (see page 110) ARCHER PARK 101 N. Broadway McAllen 1917 QUINTA MAZATLAN 600 Sunset Drive McAllen c. 1930s 3 CINE EL REy THEATRE 311 South 17th Street McAllen Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 4 5 LA PLACITA /MCALLEN HERITAGE CENTER 301 S. Main Street McAllen 1935 CASA DE PALMAS 101 N. Main Street McAllen 1918 SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH 302 South 15th Street SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD DEPOT From Bus Hwy 83 S on Bicentennial McAllen 1927 Photos courtesy of McAllen CVB, McAllen Heritage Center & City of McAllen

49 HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY Hidalgo Historic Sites The City of Hidalgo is the oldest city in Hidalgo County. It was originally settled as a mission of Reynosa, Mexico in 1749 and later became the first county seat in the new Hidalgo County. For half a century, the city served as the county seat, before the county government was moved to Edinburg. Today the 1886 Hidalgo County Courthouse remains, beside the 1886 Hidalgo County Jail. For more information, visit Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum, 900 S. 2nd St., Hidalgo. Source: Hidalgo Chamber of Commerce 1 COURTHOUSE & JAIL Located at Flora and 1st Streets FIRST POST OFFICE IN HIDALGO COUNTy Located at Flora and 1st Streets OLDEST SCHOOL IN HIDALGO COUNTy Located at Flora and 1st Streets OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE 902 N. 2nd Street RODRIGUEZ GENERAL STORE Hidalgo County s First Gas Station Located at Flora and 1st (across Flora from Historic Odell Store/Post Office) c. late 1800s 2 5 Photos courtesy of City of Hidalgo Edinburg Historic Sites In 1908, John Closner, William Briggs, Argyle McAllen, Plutarco de la Viña and Dennis B. Chapin developed a new community. The town was called Chapin in devotion to one of the originators. It became the county seat of Hidalgo County in a powerful, evening secret attack in which the county records were confiscated from the previous county seat when Dennis Chapin was involved in the shooting death of Oscar J. Rountree. The town changed its name to Edinburg to honor John Young, a prominent businessman who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and was incorporated in For more information, visit the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. (see page 110) 1 LA SAL DEL REy (SALT OF THE KING) Salt Lake North Central Hidalgo Co. c. Prehistoric A.D SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD DEPOT 602 W. University COUNTy JAIL Museum of South TX History 200 N Closner Blvd Photos courtesy of Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 47

50 Pharr Historic Sites The area was named after sugar planter Henry Newton Pharr. In 1900, Henry N. Pharr for a number of years was a director of the State National Bank of New Iberia, Louisiana, and was a former president of the Louisiana - Rio Grande Sugar Company and the Louisiana - Rio Grande Canal Company, which at one time owned eight thousand acres and which, in 1910, on this land built the town of Pharr. For more information, visit Pharr EDC/Pharr Biz. (see page 110) GUADALUPE CEMETERy W Bell Ave At West Bell Street and Canna Street Est FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 400 W Ridge Rd Founded 1913 HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY San Juan Historic Sites The City of San Juan was organized in 1909, in part, due to the efforts of John Closner. This community is well known for the "Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan, one of the largest churches in the RGV. For more information, visit San Juan EDC and the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. (see page 4) 1 2 BASILICA OF OUR LADy OF SAN JUAN DEL VALLE NATIONAL SHRINE 400 N. Virgen de San Juan Blvd. Est SAN JUAN HOTEL Business Hwy Alamo Historic Sites Alamo is nicknamed the "Land of Two Summers". Alamo was incorporated in 1924, and it was named after the Alamo Land and Sugar Company. It is located in an area of abundant vegetable farming, nature retreats and citrus groves. For more information, visit the Alamo Chamber of Commerce. (see page 110) 1 DR. ELI T. MERRIMAN S RANCH CEMETERy Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Photos courtesy of San Juan EDC 2 3 ALAMO LAND & SUGAR COMPANy 801 Main Street 1919 GOTHIC REVIVAL CATHOLIC CHURCH Austin Street at 7th Place 1924 MISSOURI PACIFIC RAIL LINE Business Hwy ALAMO TOWN SQUARE Main Street town square 1918 WORST TRAIN WRECK IN TEXAS HISTORy (Historical Marker) Crossing of Tower Road - Missouri Pacific Rail Line collided with a truck of farm workers, resulting in 34 deaths and 6 injuries, and the most fatalities of any accident on a Texas Highway in the 20th century - March 14, Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley Photos courtesy of Keith Hackland

51 HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY Weslaco Historic Sites Weslaco derived its name from the W.E. Stewart Land Company. Streets north of the railroad tracks have Spanish names, and streets south of the railroad tracks have English ones as a consequence of a 1921 municipal ordinance which declared that land north of the tracks was reserved for Hispanic residences/business, and land south was reserved for non-hispanic white residences/business. For more information, visit the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce. (see page 110) WESLACO CITy HALL/FIRE STATION 500 S. Kansas Est SKAGGS HOUSE 1101 South Texas Blvd 1927 WESLACO S SMALLEST MUSEUM Kansas c s 5 OLD RAILROAD STATION 301 W Railroad,Weslaco 1927 Photo by Isaac Monter VILLA DE CORTEZ 260 S. Texas Blvd, Ste. # WATER TOWER THEATRE Located on 2nd and Kansas 1928 Photos courtesy of Weslaco EDC, Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, Frontera Audubon, Weslaco Museum Historic Mercedes This site was first settled by ranchers in the late 1770s and was part of the Llano Grande Spanish land grant issued on May 29, 1790, to Juan José Ynojosa de Ballí. During the 1850s, it was the location of the Anacuitas ranch, owned by Ramón and Manuel Cavazos. Apparently by the beginning of the 1900s, it was replaced by the Fuste ranch, which was owned by the Cavazos family, alleged heirs of Ynojosa de Ballí. Lon C. Hill, Jr., a local land promoter and developer, owned 45,000 acres extending sixteen miles from the Rio Grande, including the site of what is now Mercedes. Hill promptly renamed the community Lonsboro and sold his company to the American Rio Grande Land and Irrigation Company, which renamed the town Díaz. The town's name was changed three more times, until the name Mercedes was finally adopted. The origins of the name have been disputed. While some sources assert that the town was named in honor of the wife of Mexican president Porfirio Díaz, there is no evidence that Díaz was ever married to a woman named Mercedes. July 8, 1904, Mercedes became the first town on the Sam Fordyce Branch of the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway and it was nicknamed the Sweetheart of the Branch. For more information, visit the Mercedes Chamber of Commerce. (see page 110) TX State Historical Commission HIDALGO COUNTy IRRIGATION DISTRICT NW Corner of Bus.s 83 and Ohio St MERCEDES HISTORIC HOTEL 236 S Missouri Avenue HISTORIC CITy HALL 323 S. Ohio 1928 SILAS HOME 405 Missouri Avenue 1908 BORDERLAND HARDWARE 205 W 2nd Street Photos courtesy of Mercedes EDC Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 49

52 FIRST HOTEL Corner of Commercial & Main 1912 Cameron County La Feria Historical Sites In 1909 G. J. Schoenberg, a local land developer, established the town of La Feria. The La Feria post office was opened in that year. A railroad stop named Bixby was fostered a mile from the town when the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway were built through the area in In July 1912 the founding fathers of La Feria stole the Bixby depot and hauled it to the new town-site. By 1915, La Feria had a population of 200, a bank, two churches, and a weekly newspaper. In 1925, estimates of the population ranged from 236 to 825. For more information, visit City of La Feria, 115 E. Commercial Ave., La Feria. Source: TX State Historical Association PARKER-TICHNEOR HOUSE/PRIVATE MUSEUM 700 S. Parker Road 1923 FIRST BANK Commercial & Main HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY LA FERIA CEMETERy Memorial Drive (between Rabb & Solis Roads) 1917 Three Harlingen Historic Homes In 1904, Lon C. Hill imagined the Arroyo Colorado as a trade waterway. He named the town he founded on the north bank after the Frisian city of Harlingen, in the Netherlands. The town's post office was founded in that same year. The first school opened with only fifteen pupils in 1905 near the Hill home, which was the first residence built in Harlingen. Harlingen was incorporated on April 15, For more information, visit Harlingen CVB. (See page 110) 1 2 LON C. HILL HOME Originally located near Fair Park 1904 HARLINGEN HOSPITAL Originally located on F Street 1923 Photos courtesy of City of La Feria 3 PASO REAL STAGECOACH INN Originally located along the Arroyo River 10 miles north of the Rio Hondo bridge Est.1860 San Benito San Benito, Texas, is known as the "Resaca City." A resaca, 400-foot wide, flows through the city. As indicated by its Spanish name, the resaca was a dry river bed. For information, call City of San Benito (see page 110) SAN BENITO BANK AND TRUST COMPANy 198 S. Sam Houston San Benito, TX Chartered in 1908 c 1911 WATER DISTRICT BUILDING 216 S. Sam Houston San Benito, TX c 1910 SAN BENITO POST OFFICE 417 N. Sam Houston San Benito, TX c ST. BENEDICT S CHURCH 351 S. Bowie San Benito, TX c 1925 SPIDERWEB RAILROAD Business 77 and State Highway 345 San Benito, Texas c ARTS & HERITAGE MUSEUM 2425 Boxwood Street, Harlingen Photos courtesy of Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

53 HISTORICAL MARKERS OF THE VALLEY Brownsville Historic Sites The Brownsville area is one of the swiftest in the United States. The population dramatically increased after experiencing a boom in the steel industry during the 1900s where it produced three times its annual capacity. The Port of Brownsville is a major economic hub for South Texas, where shipments from MX and other parts of the US, and the world arrive. Brownsville's economy is largely based on international trade with MX through the North American Free Trade Agreement. For more information, visit Brownsville CVB. (See page 110) BATTLE OF PALMITO HILL Last battle of Civil War On State Hwy. 4, 12 mi. east of Brownsville BROWN-WAGNER HOUSE 245 East St. Charles Street example of late 19th century home remains home SITE OF FORMER INCARNATE WORD CONVENT 700 East St. Charles Street Est CUETO BUILDING Corner of 13th and Madison Streets 19th century commercial architecture 1893 FORT BROWN Located in front of Jacob Brown Auditorium Est Port Isabel Historic Sites Established as a town after the Mexican revolution, Port Isabel became an important cotton export port before the Civil War. The harbor, town and lighthouse all were fought over and exchanged hands during the Civil War. For more information, visit the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce. (See page 110) PORT ISABEL LIGHTHOUSE 414 E Queen Isabella Blvd 1852 KEEPERS COTTAGE On the grounds of lighthouse 1853 PORT ISABEL CEMETERy Houston Street and Musina Street c. 1800s BRAZOS SANTIAGO PASS Discovered in 1519 FORT BROWN CAVALRy BARRACKS TSC Campus, Gorgas Drive Rebuilt after Civil War FORT BROWN COMMISSARy TSC Campus, Gorgas Drive 1856 FORT BROWN MEDICAL LAB TSC Campus, corner of May Street and Gorgas Drive 1867 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL Corner of 12th and East Jefferson 1859 STILLMAN HOUSE Charles Stillman founder of Brownsville 1305 E Washington St 1850 NEALE HOUSE Southern Colonial House built from imported lumber/moved from orig. 14th Street location to Neale Drive 1834 QUEEN ISABEL INN 300 Garcia St. c PORT OF MATAMOROS At east end of Maxan Street Est SITE OF FORT POLK North Tarnava and Hwy 100 Port Isabel Lighthouse State Park c s SITE OF OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL First school 730 East 8th Street Annie S. Putegnat Elementary 1889/razed in 1929 present school built from original brick. PAN-AM AIRWAyS BLIND FLyING SCHOOL At Brownsville SPI Airport 1929 THE GEM 400 East 13th Street Mid-19th century commercial architecture PALO ALTO NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD Intersection of FM 1857 and FM 511, 5.5 miles north of Brownsville 1846 South Padre Island A historical display of South Padre Island in the very early days is available for viewing at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. The SPI Historical Commission gathered photos and artifacts from the days before a bridge documenting the people who gathered, the beaches, and early development that drew them to the Island. Contact for open hours. Photo courtesy of Valerie Bates Willacy County Historic Raymondville Raymondville was established by Edward Burleson Raymond, who organized the Raymond Town and Improvement Company in Raymond's company, along with the Kleberg Town and Improvement Company, gave right-of-way to the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway. The railway in turn provided low-cost round-trip excursions for land seekers. Town lots were sold by Raymond and by Henrietta King, acting agent for the King Ranch. Raymondville, located in what was then Cameron County had a population of 350 in1914, four general stores, a bank, newspaper, hotel, cotton gin, and lumber company. For more information, visit the Raymondville Chamber of Commerce. (See page 110) Source: TX State Historical Association WILLACy COUNTy COURTHOUSE 540 W Main Ave Raymondville 1922 WILLACy COUNTy SALT LAKES La Sal Vieja (Old Salt) La Sal Blanca (White Salt) 6 miles NW of Raymondville Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 51

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55 MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS HISTORY The Museum of South Texas History is the best first stop for anyone visiting the Rio Grande Valley! With a mission to preserve and present the borderland heritage of South Texas and northeastern Mexico, the museum s exquisitely designed exhibits take the visitor on a trip through time to discover the region from prehistory up to the twentieth century and provide context to better appreciate the many visitor friendly sites visitors will find in the RGV. From the days when the Rio Grande Valley was part of a great ocean floor, to the mammoths that roamed the area thousands of years later and the Native Americans that called this area home, the visitor is introduced to a constantly evolving community. Spanish settlers, soldiers, riverboat captains and ranchers, followed by Midwesterner farmers that converted the land to a productive agricultural area, all left their mark on the rich heritage that has made the Rio Grande Valley what it is today. These stories, and more, are told in the walk through the Rio Grande Legacy exhibit sequence, an environmental exhibit experience rich with multimedia sights and sounds to introduce the visitor to the blended heritage of this frontier between two nations. The museum s architecture reflects the Spanish Mission Revival architectural style of the early 1900s that was also popular in Florida and California development. The soaring tower of the Grand Lobby and the architectural detailing in the chandelier and grillwork, combined with the Talavera tile work and mesquite doors and counters, introduce the charm of South Texas and northeastern Mexico traditions and materials. Museum landscaping and a walk through Will Looney Legacy Park with its beautiful sculpture by Deborah Copenhaver Fellowes and a life-size windmill and leña (mesquite) fence, showcase native materials and plants found in the Valley s Tamaulipan Thornscrub forest. Originally founded in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail building, a companion piece to the courthouse that was replaced and demolished in 1954, the museum has grown from fewer than 2,000 to 50,000 square feet and now occupies a full city block. The jail, however, remains the architectural cornerstone of the museum Story & photos provided by: MOSTH and Edinburg Chamber of Commerce Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 53

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57 and serves as its changing exhibit space. Like the original courthouse, the jail is in jeopardy, despite many years of efforts to maintain its structural integrity. A groundwater table that is only six feet below the surface is feeding the rising damp that is creeping up inside the jail walls and causing deterioration that is so severe the jail has been closed to visitors while funds are raised to renovate it and place a moisture barrier in every wall. The $3.35 million project, which includes an endowment initiated by the Edinburg Foundation, Inc. to be used for future museum maintenance, is being funded by individual donations, government support, historic tax credits, and grants from foundations. With 83% of the goal achieved, the museum welcomes contributions from the community and museum visitors to help reach the goal so work can begin and the jail can be re-opened. A big part of the museum s appeal is the role it plays in preserving regional heritage and sharing it with local school children. Museum visitor studies have established a positive link between visiting museums and academic success, so museum leaders believe it is imperative for children in the RGV to get to experience this firsthand at MOSTHistory. Museum leaders believe it is equally important to share the rich heritage of South Texas with visitors to the region. As the local saying goes, Bienvenidos! Mi casa, es su casa Welcome to your home away from home, the Museum of South Texas History! 200 North Closner Blvd. Edinburg Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 55

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63 CALENDAR OF EVENTS HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM November 15, th Annual Wine Tasting at 6:30 p.m. November 5, 2014 at 6 p.m. Carlos Nunez Exhibit Opening February 14, th Annual Valentine s Day Dinner BROWNSVILLE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION Polk and the U.S./Mexican War by Adrian Tovar Brownsville Heritage Complex November 22, p.m. Admission: $5 ($2 for students) and includes entry to the museum HOLIDAy VILLAGE Monday, November 24, p.m. through January 1, a.m p.m. Weekdays 8 a.m p.m. Weekends Free Admission Santa comes every weekend in December! BROWNSVILLE HERITAGE COMPLEX December 6, :00 p.m. Brownsville the First Hundred Years Book Signing Brownsville Heritage Complex Free to the Public December 2, January 1, 2015 Nacimientos from the private collection of Isabel Vezzetti, Maria Enriquetta Yzaguirre and Karen Pena with the Women of the Pan American Round Table I Admission is $5 and includes entry to the museum BROWNSVILLE CHILDREN S MUSEUM November 22, 2014 Turkey Day December 6 Polar Express Day December 20 Snow Day December 27 New Years Party January 17, 2015 Math Day January 28 Girls Night Out - Bingo Night February 6 CMB Outdoor Learning Center - New Exhibit February 14 Share the Love Book Reading Day March 7-14 & Spring Break Bash March 28 Nano Science Technology Day April 4 Easter Celebration April 11 Chalk Art Festival August 7 Summer Camps Extravaganza September 12 Teddy Bear Clinic September 19 Talk like a Pirate Day October 16 & 17 Night at the Museum Las Vegas 2.0 November 14 World Wide Day of Play October 24 Halloween Party Monster s Bash November 5 Heart Gallery November 7-8 RISA Rio Grande Science & Arts Festival December 5 Polo Express & Pictures with Santa December 19 A Good Old Fashion Snow Day December 26 New Year s Eve Party BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS November 8, May 2015 Celebrating Space BROWNSVILLE FARMERS MARKET Every Saturday 9 a.m p.m. November 19, 2014 Belden Community Garden Opening 5:30 p.m. STILLMAN HOUSE MUSEUM December 13, 2014 An Old Fashioned Kid s Christmas Admission is $5 and includes entry to the museum CAMILLE PLAy HOUSE Willy Wonka December and The Wedding Singer February and Almost Maine March and Still Life with Iris April and One Flew Over the Cuckoo s Nest May and 22-24

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65 Brownsville Museum of Fine Art CeLeBRatING SpaCe: ONe WORLD, ONe Sky, ONe DeStINy! exhibition through May 2015 For all of human history, the inhabitants of this world, scientists and artists alike, have looked towards the sky for inspiration. We have sought understanding and by doing so, pushed the limits of our capabilities. This is the unavoidable consequence of space exploration, regardless of the traveler. Under this one sky, the scientist asks questions to probe the nature of the universe and in doing so, uncovers treasures that expand our reality and change the way we think about the world. The artist connects the wonders of universe to the depths of the human condition, allowing us to see our place in the vastness of space and thus expanding our reality and changing the way we think about the world. Scientists have enabled us to observe the universe in many different ways thus revealing its treasures from exotic stars to vast superclusters of galaxies. Artists help us visualize these extreme astrophysical phenomena allowing us to connect with the universe on different levels of understanding. Science tells us that the massive elements were created by stellar nucleosynthesis. So inspired, the artist will say that we are children of the stars. In turn, the scientist will search for ways for us to return to the vast star ocean from whence we came. The scientist is inspired by the artist, and the artist is inspired by the scientist, and in this unending circle together they move forward exploring, inspiring, and teaching. I thank you for joining us in Celebrating Space. This new exhibition underscores the interplay between science and art. It heralds a new era in space exploration, one where Brownsville takes a leading role. As a community, thanks to both scientists and artists, we are challenged to dream bigger and reach for new worlds and new horizons. Such ideas were, only yesterday, considered childish dreams buried by the harsh reality of adulthood. We are now inspired to remember that we are children of the stars, destined to explore the universe. Fredrick A. Jenet Director, CARA/STARGATE Art is the Queen of all sciences communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world. Leonardo da Vinci Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 63

66 CeLeBRatING SpaCe IS an INSpIRatION OF knowledge, IMaGINatION and DISCOVeRy Uniting the past, present and future in a specific space (Brownsville Museum of Fine Art) and time. This exhibition provides an account of thematic inspiration on Space as told through the Museum s unique collection of great masterpieces, as well as a diverse selection of contemporary artists. Bringing together a diverse and exceptional group of paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, prints, music, film, installations and books, the exhibition will highlight the inspired minds and imaginations of the most celebrated Surrealists, impressionist and contemporary artists and scientists. In Art and Science there is the Renaissance Man, an infinite grace in all his actions, creations, and passion for growth and discovery that today eco the name Leonardo da Vinci. The great Da Vinci planted inspiration and theory in all genius minds as seeds of modern thought in different eras and time. Miró, Dalí, Botero, Nieto and Picasso could not resist quoting and challenging the great master. Inspiring Dalí to become the surrealist artist of his time, and Miró to paint the sky and his own universe; and Rodolfo Matta to travel through time; and the cosmic colors of his amazing creations. In the 18th Century Mexican artist Velasco painted one of his great master pieces the study of the Comet. There is in Sebastián a passion for the Renaissance that led him from the very start of his training, to thoroughly study Leonardo da Vinci, Piero della Francesca, Albrecht Duerer and others, primarily because he saw in these artist s work the fusion of art and science. His passion and conviction that art, science and technology are the future of our planetary culture excite us with the universe on earth. Quantic, Pulsar and Stargate are the revelation of the work he interpreted and validated inspired on Dr. Richard Price and Dr. Fredrick Jenet s work and contribution to science. Art is a reflection on culture, but [the exhibit] is meant toinspire all to think about specific scientific ideas, the Universe, and Space as well. Look at the world a little bit differently, and realize that how you see the world depends on the scale with which you view it. All the pieces bear close inspection. Kirk Clark s pieces, for example, involve viewers in reflections on the soul and universe; Sara Mast and Emilio Rangel have a specific reinterpretation of astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan. Formulation of our ideas about the world depends on how we view it. The Mars as Art photography exhibition showcases selected images returned by spacecraft from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Selected by a panel of professional artists, photographers, and photo editors, these images are chosen for their aesthetic rather than scientific value. The Black (W)hole is an immersive art installation created by the Celebrating Einstein team to engage the public in the beauty of black hole astrophysics by involving the whole person through a visual, aural, and somatosensory experience. Celebrating Einstein through 100 Years of General Relativity blending scientists and artists to exalt in discovery. 64 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

67 After a certain high level of technical skill is achieved, science and art ten to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are always artists as well. Albert Einstein The BMFA is proud to honor the work of master artists and scientists and with enthusiasm dedicates this exhibit to inspire YOU to dream and enjoy Space. Dare to challenge and spirits rise in a journey that will take you to explore and discover that a new era will come, Celebrating Space opens your imagination to create a whole new Universe. Story and photos courtesy of BMFA Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 65

68 Photos by Carlos Nuñez Above: Sunrise at Boca Chica Beach Below: Ft. Brown Art Center at Dusk 66 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

69 Above: Two Palms at Rancho Viejo Below: Magic Valley Sunrise at Rancho Viejo Coastal wetlands form where saltwater and freshwater mix together - The coastal shorelines, shallow bays and inlets, swamps, marshes, mud flats, and deltas of our coastal lowlands and estuaries. Coastal wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to tropical rain forests and coral reefs. Texas coastal wetlands account for 6 percent of wetlands nationally and 12 percent of those found in the Gulf of Mexico. It's estimated that more than 95 percent of the Gulf of Mexico's recreational and commercial catch of fish, oysters, shrimp, and crab use coastal wetlands for spawning, nursery, and feeding habitat. Wetlands also provide permanent and seasonal habitat for a great variety of wildlife, including 75 percent of North America's birds. Well over one-third of the 564 plant and animal species listed as threatened or endangered in the United States use wetland habitats. Source: Texas General Land Office Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 67

70 Our Featured Photographer Carlos Nuñez of Brownsville, Texas Raised with the backdrop of leaning palms on resacas at sunset. I was able to appreciate art from a very young age in many different mediums. Photography has enabled me to capture the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis. I truly believe that beauty can be seen in all things, although seeing and composing that beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph. I also believe that you will miss 100% of the shots you never take. It is about a depth of feeling and not a depth of field. Carlos Nunez Other photographs by Mr. Nuñez can be found throughout this publication. To learn more about him or to view more of his photos, visit and like his Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook Carlos Nuñez Canvas Prints Make Great Gifts! Choose one on stretched canvas starting at $150 plus shipping. For details call: Above: Causeway Below: Fog Tree 68 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

71 Walk Drive or Bike Self-Guided or Guided Tours Get off the beaten path and view the variety of mural art! MuRaLS OF the VaLLey RIO GRANDE CITy 1 A mural of historical references painted on Fort Ringgold's Auditorium Building in Rio Grande City by Mr. Alberto Barrera. Artist, Barrera is a retired teacher and local historian who also wrote Rio Grande City's Song "Mi Lindo Rio Grande". Photo courtesy of the Rio Grande City EDC MISSION 2 To honor Tom Landry, the legendary professional football coach who served as the Dallas Cowboys coach for 29 years, Mission residents Bill and Gen Long commissioned Manuel Hinojosa to create the Tom Landry Mural in The mural measures 95 x 18 feet and was dedicated on Sept. 18, 1995 by Coach Landry himself. Mission Museum Post Office building was built in It houses an original WPA mural, the only one still existing in the Valley. Photo courtesy of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce PHARR 7 Home again, Pharr s mural has found a new home in the old chamber building on Newcombe Ave., now called the Innovation Center. It was painted in 1979 by Eddie Chavez, Sr., for a truck stop, in Pharr, owned by Reuben and Stella Bishop. The Bishops were living in Las Cruces by 1999, which is when they donated the mural to the Branigan Cultural Center. Eddie Chavez ( ) was a Las Cruces-born artist. At the age of 12, he began working as an apprentice artist. He worked as a cartoonist after graduating from Las Cruces High School, and he went on to study painting in New York and Los Angeles (at the Otis Art Institute). In the 1930s and 1940s, he also worked as a commercial sign painter and owned a sign business in Las Cruces. Eddie Chavez painted murals in other places around Las Cruces, such as in the restaurant La Posta. Photo courtesy of the Pharr EDC SAN JUAN A 45-foot mosaic on the exterior of the San Juan Basilica shrine was completed in 1995 and it consists of 200,000 tiles crafted by two Italian artisans. The mosaic features Jesus presenting his Mother to the Valley, and can be seen easily from Expressway 83. Photo courtesy of San Juan EDC HARLINGEN 4 Downtown Harlingen boasts more than twenty beautiful, larger-than-life-size murals. Come see them all! Download a map and information at: Departing from Java Café, located at 204 E. Jackson, in Harlingen at 9 a.m., the tours last approximately one hour and are FREE and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation for large groups. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and come prepared to have fun. Tour participants will hear about frontier days, mid-century boom times, and modern Harlingen. The tour guide provides insight on the city s past nicknames, Rattlesnake Junction, Six Shooter Junction, and Howlin Gin and explains how ice made Harlingen famous. Participants learn which Jackson Street buildings were the mortuary, the Woolworth s store, the Piggly Wiggly, and more. The tour also includes stops at several larger-thanlife-size murals and the city s smallest park. Even locals will be amazed and entertained by what they learn. *No tours the first Saturday of each month, which is Jackson Street Market Days. Photo courtesy of Downtown Harlingen BROWNSVILLE 5 Brownsville offers walking tours of their photo murals and information kiosks that serve to preserve the colorful history of the city. You may notice several large 8' x 12' photo murals in the historic downtown district on the sides of several buildings. Primarily located in the downtown area, they illustrate the previous appearance and activity throughout the decades, from the late 1800s to the 1950s. See how many you can find on your own; while walking or driving in the immediate downtown area. Photo courtesy of Brownsville Historical Association WyLAND MURAL SOUTH PADRE ISLAND Orcas of the Gulf of Mexico" is the title of Robert Wyland's 53rd Whaling Wall located at: South Padre Island Convention Centre, 7355 Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 69

72 Explore the Holiday Village Darling delights, cozy nights, shimmering trim, whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings happiness - may it be yours this Holiday Season! Visiting the Holiday Village has become a tradition families fancy to follow each year during Christmas. The Holiday Village is created with life-size village scenes, completely furnished buildings and homes in holiday décor. Families come from near and far to see the delightfully decorated village. Drive-through, walk-through or sit back enjoy the entertainment. Christmas lights turn the Mitte Cultural District into a Holiday Village only found in sugarplum dreams. The best part of the season is remembering those who make the holidays meaningful ; said Mellena Conner. Bringing holiday pleasure, doing the work, and passing it among family and friends was Mellena Conner s bright idea. Mellena, the brains behind Brownsville s village, read a magazine where a group out of Utah did something similar. She loved the idea so much that she met with Brownsville s Park Directors, sent a sponsorship letter, and the rest is history (so they say)! This year marks the Holiday Village s fifth and biggest year yet. There will be over 27 cottages designed by local professional architects and then constructed and decorated by individual sponsors and volunteers for the holidays. Come see all your favorites: The Village Diner, Santa s Hunting & Fishing Lodge, Golden Rule Grammar School, Village Library, Historic Stillman House, Village Bank, Hanukkah by the Sea, Frosty Treats the Gingerbread Bakery and more delivering a bright and delightful holiday season. Volunteer builders, electricians and students in Youth Build follow specifications, building codes and electrical regulations city employees move the village in and out of storage and connect the cottages to a power source (or the brain) each year and when the time comes, the bell rings, all trees light and we experience a Real Life Christmas Village! Just in time for the holidays, the Holiday Village officially opens to the public in late November on the grounds of Dean Porter Park in the Mitte Cultural District. It remains open until January 1, daily from 9 a.m. until the park closes at 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays). Nights are best for viewing the massive light display! Santa makes his official visit in December, following Thanksgiving on Friday and Saturday nights. Entertainment is posted on the web and includes vocalists, carolers, dancers, and bands. You can even have your picture taken with Santa on the weekends. It is truly a unique experience for all. Admission is FREE; the memories are priceless! Visit or Like us on Facebook. As reported by: Frosty The Snowman Photos courtesy of Holiday Village 70 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

73 Home for the Holidays JingleFest around the Valley Festival of Lights - Hidalgo (You gotta see it to believe it!) Entire Month of December. Drive the trail of 9 sites or take a train, trolley or horse-drawn carriage from the City Hall Plaza through more than 3,000,000 lights and 500 displays. On the second weekend in December, thousands of people flock to witness this colorful, historic parade. It s the longest Lighted Christmas Parade & Festival in the Valley Be there, downtown San Benito! Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season at McAllen s Holiday Parade the first Saturday in December. Witness the lighted parade featuring celebrity appearances, floats, and marching bands. Move over Macy s McAllen has giant helium parade balloons floating along Bicentennial Blvd. from US Business 83 to McAllen s Municipal Park! Explore the Municipal Park before and after the parade during Christmas in the Park. Marvel the beautiful lighted Christmas Parade in Rio Grande City. As is tradition, the parade takes place on the first Friday in December commencing at 6 p.m.., along Main Street in Rio Grande City. Port Isabel Christmas Lighted Boat Parade features boats of all sizes decorated in their holiday finest. Designated viewing areas throughout the route offer free public viewing. Photos courtesy of each community. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 71

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75 M c ALLEN CIty OF palms Story courtesy of McAllen Chamber of Commerce. McAllen is known for a being family-oriented community, so there s plenty to do that s suitable and entertaining for people of all ages. Local residents value their time with relatives, often spending weekends enjoying long barbecues in backyards and in parks with their children, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It s common to see parks full of casual family parties complete with an abundance of good homemade food, piñatas, and music. Families also appreciate the many nature parks and refuges in the McAllen area. You ll find dozens of places where the entire family will enjoy the area s outstanding diversity of wildlife, from birds and butterflies to dragonflies, mammals, reptiles, and plants found nowhere else in the country. Above: Photo by Andrea Hathcock, McAllen ISD Below, left: Photo courtesy of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Below, right: Photo by Carlos Nuñez Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 73

76 If the arts is more your style, you ll find excellent museums and galleries throughout the Valley. Some of the standouts include McAllen s International Museum of Art & Science, with a popular interactive children s area, the country s largest collection of Mexican crafts, and its own Picasso collection; Edinburg s Museum of South Texas History, with truly first-rate historical exhibitions, and Nuevo Santander Gallery in the Arts District of McAllen, featuring exceptional local artwork and a wide variety of collectible Mexican artifacts. Cities up and down the Valley have a range of parks and recreation department programs to keep the kids busy, and McAllen also features two kid-friendly splash parks open year-round. There s also Town Lake at Fireman s Park, McAllen s newest park, where families take to the man-made lake in rented canoes and kayaks, play horseshoes and volleyball, cook out, and even fish. Other family-friendly activities in McAllen include: The Zone with go-carts, video games and miniature golf; Lazer Tag; and a monthly free outdoor family-friendly music concert and vendor fair the first Friday of each month during ArtWalk, complete with dozens of booths featuring hand-made crafts and artwork. Want to throw a little education into the mix? Check out special child-friendly outdoor programs and walks at Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen s wing of the World Birding Center; and classes in drawing, singing, guitar, and more at McAllen s Creative Incubator. The Public Library has special programs and a large area dedicated exclusively to kids as well, and Artsy Pots will give people of all ages a hands-on opportunity to create individualized ceramic crafts. And be sure to check out the plethora of special events constantly being held at McAllen Convention Center and State Farm Arena. Whether it s outdoors or in, McAllen is a perfect location for making family memories. For more ideas, visit the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 1200 Ash Avenue, McAllen Photo by Carlos Nuñez 74 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

77 mercedes boot walk From her cowboy boots to her down home roots Mercedes, centrally located in the Rio Grande Valley, is the boot capital of texas. the whopping, bigger-than-life logo boots began appearing just about one year ago; first on one street corner, and then another throughout the downtown business district. 1 Five-and-a-half feet tall and crafted from aluminum, they are painted with the colors and logos of universities in a branding effort. take a stroll and enjoy the Mercedes Boot Walk, furthermore go ahead and buy yourself some! It s a texas thing Texas A&M University Texas Nat'l Bank SW Corner of Business 83 & Texas Ave University of Texas at San Antonio SE Corner of Business 83 & Texas Ave University of Texas NE Corner of Business 83 & Texas Ave Monterrey Tech Plains Capital Bank corner of 3rd & Texas Ave St. Edwards University Corner of Ohio & Business 83 St. Mary's University Camargo Boots Corner of Georgia & Bus. 83 Texas Women's University H-E-B - Corner of Texas Ave & Hidalgo University of Nuevo Leon Chinese Restaurant Directly across Texas Ave from H-E-B Baylor University Corner of Indiana & Business 83 Texas Tech University Carwash at Corner of Vermont & Business 83 Rice University Corner of Colorado & Business 83 Harvard University Corner of Vermont & Expressway 83 Texas Christian University Bunton Automotive,1101 W. 2nd St Texas State Technical College Alicia's Restaurant Corner of Maryland Ave & Bus. 83 University of Texas Pan American Magic Valley Electric Entrance Texas State University Corner of Missouri & Business 83 Texas Lutheran College Borderland Hardware Corner of Ohio & Business 83 Southern Methodist University Corner of Texas & 4th Texas A&M University at Kingsville Coach's Pharmacy Business 83 & the railroad tracks University of Notre Dame City Hall - Corner of 4th & Ohio St University of North Texas 131 N. Texas Ave South Texas College Corner of Hidalgo & Texas Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Corner of Washington & Business 83 University of Texas at Brownsville Enterprise Corner of Expressway 83 Frontage & Texas Ave University of Houston Corner of Cameron & Texas Ave Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 75

78 Sell It Find It Buy It Location Matters!!! The Rio Grande Valley presents beautifully custom-crafted homes by artisans with exceptional attention to detail; making your search easy for the perfect home. From classic Mediterranean architecture to elegant Mexican haciendas, newly modern, minimalist or contemporary - the Valley has a vibrant real estate industry. Master builders and craftsmen are devoted to design and build for the most dependable of real estate agencies. It s a buyer s market, with the arrival of professionals relocating for our vibrant medical community, new medical school, increasing federal government agencies and industry. This is a great time to invest in South Texas real estate. The magical hideaway pictured here is set on one-plus acres of landscaped splendor. Among its many amenities are a state-of-the-art chef's kitchen, formal dining and living rooms fit for entertaining, with beautiful views and dramatic sunsets. Luxurious rooms revealing high ornate ceilings are found throughout. The backyard and pool area featured are customized, from the inlaid pavers to iridescent tile work! The excellent location is about five minutes from restaurants, entertainment, shops and groceries. An absolutely stunning DREAM HOME! Photos provided by: RE/MAX Hacienda 76 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

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81 See & Do ALOE KING 1947 Mile 6 North, Mercede Farm Fresh is more than a slogan it has become Aloe King s philosophy! By maintaining quality control in propagation, harvesting techniques, and packing, they offer a product that is unrivaled by other producers. Celebrating 30 years in Mercedes, they have achieved a level of competence that other aloe companies only dream of. Farm tours are available by appointment. BASILICA OF OUR LADy OF SAN JUAN DEL VALLE NATIONAL SHRINE 400 N San Antonio Ave, San Juan Averaging more than one million visitors a year, the San Juan Shrine is one of the most visited shrines in the United States. The origins of devotion to Our Lady of San Juan del Valle are found in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. In 1623, an acrobat traveling with his wife and children stopped in San Juan de los Lagos to give a performance. While practicing their act, the youngest daughter lost her balance and was killed. An Indian woman, the caretaker of the church, begged the parents to place the image of the Virgin Mary over their daughter's body and prayed for the Virgin's intercession. The child was then brought back to life and the word of the miracle spread. BOBZ WORLD Located just outside Los Fresnos on Highway 100 Bob World is filled with an adrenaline-rushing, heart pounding robotic technology. A world created of space and alien beings, dinosaurs, marine animals, and mummies from the ancient world. COASTAL STUDIES LAB 100 Marine Lab Dr., SPI A satellite of UT-RGV, this lab studies and exhibits marine life and offers a public display area that contains representative species of fauna and flora from the immediate area of the Lower Laguna Madre, Gulf of Mexico, and South Padre Island. COOLEy S CLASSIC CARS 302 W. Jackson Street Cooley s Classic Car showroom in downtown Harlingen features more than 20 GM vehicles from the 1920s through the 1990s, including Corvettes, Bel Airs, Impalas, and more. Recall the sleek tail fins, shiny hood ornaments, and hot-rodding horsepower displayed. Open 10 a.m.-12 (noon) Thursdays & Fridays (October thru March) or By Appointment. DOLL DISPLAy AT THE MERCEDES MEMORIAL LIBRARy 434 South Ohio Avenue, Mercedes More than 500 dolls from 40 countries are on display in the City s municipal building. The collection includes dolls from 11 tribes of Native Americans, former presidents and several movie stars. Some of the dolls displayed date as far back as the 1890s. Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sat. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Admission is Free. DOLPHIN RESEARCH & SEA LIFE NATURE CENTER 110 N. Garcia St., Port Isabel The Sea Life Center offers visitors a unique encounter with many fascinating marine animals native to the area. Touch tanks allow our visitors to get hands-on and discover! Numerous aquariums showcase live fish, starfish, crabs, octopus, snails, and a whole swarm of other exciting creatures. EDINBURG RACEWAy U.S. 281, Edinburg For current race information visit: Hours: Wednesday & Friday; Gates Open 7 p.m., Time Trials 7:30 p.m., Lanes Close 12 a.m., Saturday; Gate Open varies depending on event. Admission: Wednesday & Saturday; Spectators $10, and Race $20, Saturday; Spectators/Crew $15 and Race varies according to event. Children under 12 get in Free! HARLINGEN SEGWAy TOURS Come enjoy Downtown Harlingen on a roll! Tours include a Segway orientation, history, murals, and more. Visit for information on fees, schedules, etc. LA LOMITA MISSION Open from dusk until dawn daily In 1865 the Oblate Fathers constructed an adobe chapel on the little hill ranch and named it La Lomita. The chapel was destroyed by flood waters, and in 1899 a new chapel was constructed. La Lomita Historic District is located five miles south of the town of Mission off of U.S. 83 on FM La Lomita Chapel is three miles south of Expressway 83 on FM Photos courtesy of Suzanne Herzing, Downtown Harlingen and City of San Benito Photo by Carlos Nuñez Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 79

82 SEE & DO LOS CAMINOS DEL RIO For free heritage travel guides, call: The Roads of the River features more than 45 sites on both sides of the Rio Grande contributing to the area s cultural heritage. This unique trail to Texas and northern Mexico features churches, vast ranches, public buildings, historic sites, Spanish colonial villages and soothing river landscapes within the re gion. A brochure describing site descriptions and a detailed map, may be available at the closest Chamber Information Center or visit to download copies. LOS EBANOS FERRy (PORT OF ENTRy) Expressway 83; follow signs to Historical Marker The sole hand-drawn cable ferry that travels across the Rio Grande River between Los Ebanos, TX and Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas. This ferry holds three cars and several people. Visitors may park on the US side and ride round trip for a very small fee. Passport or ID required! NANDO S WILD PARK 2 ¾ N.E. Goodwin Road, Palmview From horse rides, to aquatic rides, wagon rides, train rides and water slides, the mechanical bull, moon jump, or barrel rolling, Nando s Wild Park rodeo & horse shows are one of Palmview s best kept secrets. Kids from 2 to 11 years old: $5 Adults 12 years and older $10 OPEN: Sunday from Noon - 9 p.m. NINE HUNDRED year OLD TREE Just outside Palmview s city limits is an area named Abram where the Ojo de Agua Ranch (natural spring) was founded before 1879 on high ground. Brother s-in-law Jose Isidro Longoria and Ignacio de Ochoa, from Reynosa s colonial families were the founders. Bulls scratching the ground caused water to spring up, consequently the name. A large Montezuma cypress tree, once a Texas champion "Big Tree," marks the site with a small sign. It takes nine people holding hands to circle the tree. MAIN EVENT ENTERTAINMENT is the ultimate FUN destination for people of all ages. Eat.Bowl.Play. 500 N. Jackson Rd. - Ste. C, Pharr PALMITO RANCH BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK Standing on historic ground and hearing the stories of those who came before us, TX Historical Commission and its supporters established a Radio Broadcast Repeater System in Benefiting the enjoyment of Texans and travelers the broadcast shares history of the battlefield as you drive the length of the national historic landmark on State Hwy 4 (Boca Chica Rd). Available locally on 1610 AM. PHARR AQUATIC CENTER 1000 S Fir St, Pharr, TX (956) Water Aerobics and Lap Swimming Monday through Friday, 6-8 p.m. LOS FRESNOS RODEO 500 Texas 100, Los Fresnos Hang out with real cowboys during the Annual Los Fresnos P.R.C.A. Rodeo. Scheduled for the first weekend in February it is called, "The Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas". Los Fresnos has city charm and country flavor that turns into a diamond in the ruff when the Rodeo comes to town. Each year the Los Fresnos Rodeo and Arts and Crafts show attracts over 8,000 people from everywhere! For more information contact: Los Fresnos Area Chamber of Commerce LOS FRESNOS SKATEPARK Los Fresnos Community Park, Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos - Los Fresnos is kid and family friendly and proud to have one of the few premiere skateboard parks in the Valley. This park was built during 2013 inside the community park and is free to everyone! It s an 8000sf skatepark, best described as a flow plaza. The park features a lot of different obstacles that have never been built anywhere else. On route to South Padre Island, the park is a very popular stop with lights on until 10 p.m.! Photos courtesy of City of Mission, Los Fresnos Rodeo and City of Rio Grande City 80 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

83 PORT MANSFIELD FISHING TOURNAMENTS 101 East Port Dr., Port Mansfield The Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce Pavilion is host to a growing number of other fishing tournaments and special events throughout the year, both public and private, due to its large venue, remote location and direct access to The Laguna Madre just out of the Port Mansfield harbor. RIO GRANDE CITy, HISTORIC TROLLEy TOUR - The Rio Grande City Main Street Program & RGC EDC invite visitors and residents alike to the Rio Grande City Trolley Tour Monday-Friday 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The tour fee is $10. Veterans and Active Duty Military Members can tour for free. Seating limited, please call (956) to reserve your seats. TEXAS TRAVEL INFORMATION CENTER 2021 W Harrison Ave., Harlingen Free maps, calendars, and literature with personal guidance from travel counselors to help chart routes. This Center is operated by the TX Department of Highways and Public Transportation. Enjoy free tourism audio/video shows.located at Junction U.S. 77 & U.S. 83 in Harlingen. VALLEy RACE PARK 2601 S. Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen RACE (7223) Full-card simulcast racing from racetracks throughout the U.S. The 80,000 square-foot facility boasts three dining areas to entertain. Open daily from 11 a.m - 1 a.m. WES MER DRIVE IN 2090 W Business 83, Mercedes Originally lighting-up at the beginning of America's Drive-in boom in the late 1940's, the Wes Mer Drive In, like hundreds of other outdoor screens, went dark in the mid 80 s. Ten years it lain idle, fading, and forlorn, but ultimately was restored and re-lit. The Wes Mer Drive In is open 4 nights a week: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, all year long! They screen doublefeatures each night. Audio provided via FM radio. Admission: $10 per carload covers all passengers (no need to hide in the trunk). Photos courtesy of Lauren Hudspeth, Pharr EDC and IMAS BROWNSVILLE HERITAGE COMPLEX (Brownsville Heritage Museum & Stillman House Museum) 1325 E Washington Street, Brownsville Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Monday and Sunday Adult - $5; Senior - $4; Student - $2 Children under 6 - FREE THE BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM OF FINE ART 660 E. Ringgold St., Brownsville Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Adults - $10; Ages $5 Wednesdays, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. - $5 Ages 6 and under - FREE CHILDREN S MUSEUM OF BROWNSVILLE 501 E. Ringgold St. #5 Dean Porter Park, Brownsville Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 4 p.m (Spring Break & Summers only: Monday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.) Admission - $6 ; Children Under 1 - FREE COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE RIO GRANDE VALLEy 955 S. Minnesota Ave., Brownsville Wednesday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Closed Sunday thru Tuesday Special group tours upon request. (Please contact us at least 7 days in advance!) Adults - $6; Senior (55+) - $5 Youth (12-18)-$3 Children (11 & under): FREE COSTUMES OF THE AMERICAS Mitte Cultural District #5 Dean Porter Park 501 Ringgold Street, Brownsville Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Monday Admission - $2 Children 10 & under: FREE FREE Community Nights Last Thursday of the month! MUSEUMS DONNA HOOKS FLETCHER HISTORICAL MUSEUM 129 S. Eighth St., Donna Donna_museum@yahoo.com Tuesday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. No charge - Donations are appreciated. THE EDINBURG VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM 211 W. McIntyre Street Edinburg, TX By appointment between 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. No charge - Donations are appreciated. FORT RINGGOLD ROBERT E. LEE MUSEUM Located on the grounds of Fort Ringgold, south of Hwy. 83/Main Street in Rio Grande City Open weekdays for touring For information, call Rio Grande City Consolidated School District at THE FREDDy FENDER MUSEUM 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults - $3, Children under 12 - $1.50 HARLINGEN ARTS & HERITAGE MUSEUM 2425 Boxwood St., Harlingen Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Monday and Major Holidays Please call ahead for Guided Tours Adults - $2; Children - $1 HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM 641 E. Madison St., Brownsville Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday & Major Holidays Adults - $4; Seniors & Children under 16 - $2 Museum Members N/C Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 81 SEE & DO

84 SEE & DO HUB CITy CONJUNTO AND TEJANO MUSEUM 207 W. Newcombe (Park) Ave., Pharr To arrange a visit call Roy Rodriguez at: Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed on Wednesday & Sunday Admission: Donations appreciated INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARTS & SCIENCE 1900 W. Nolana Ave., McAllen Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Monday Adults - $7; Senior (55+) - $5 Students w/id - $5; Youth $4 Children (0-3), FREE IMAS Members, N/C; Family Fun Night $1/pp every Thursday from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. IWO JIMA MEMORIAL MUSEUM 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Major Holidays No charge Donations appreciated LITTLE GRACELAND MUSEUM 701 West Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos Saturday & Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Admission: Donations appreciated MARKET SQUARE RESEARCH CENTER 1150 Market Square, Brownsville Brownsville Historical Association Summer: Tuesday through Friday By Appointment Only Closed Monday & Saturday Open to scholars, students and amateur researchers by appointment. MCALLEN HERITAGE CENTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM 301 S. Main St., McAllen Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. No charge Donations appreciated MISSION HISTORICAL MUSEUM 900 Doherty Ave., Mission Mission Museum Annex 200 E. Tom Landry Ave., Mission Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday No charge Donations appreciated MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS HISTORy 200 N. Closner Blvd., Edinburg Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Adults (ages 18+) - $7 Seniors w/id (ages 62+) - $5 Active Military w/id - $5 Students w/id (ages 13+) - $5 Youth (ages 4-12) - $4 Children (ages 3 and under) - FREE FRIENDS of MOSTHistory - FREE Arrive before noon on Saturdays N/C OLD CITy CEMETERy CENTER 600 East Jackson St., Brownsville Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday No charge Donations appreciated OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE MUSEUM 902 S. 2nd Street, Hidalgo Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Adults - $3; Senior - $2; Students - $1 Photos courtesy of City of Hidalgo, Historic Brownsville Museum and Mission Historical Museum 82 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

85 MUSEUMS OF PORT ISABEL Port Isabel Historical Museum Treasures of the Gulf Museum 317 E. Railroad Ave., Port Isabel Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Summer: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Port Isabel Lighthouse 421 E. Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel Summer (May 27-Sept. 4): Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Except movie nights) Winter: Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Individual Site Ticket to One of Museum Adults, $3; Senior Rate, $2; Students, $1; Children 4 & Under - FREE (must be at least 38 tall and 4 years old to climb the lighthouse) Museum Member - FREE Combination Site Ticket to All Museums Adults - $7; Senior, - $5; Students - $2 Children 4 & Under - FREE (must be at least 38 tall and 4 years old to climb the lighthouse) Museum Member - FREE RIO HONDO HISTORICAL MUSEUM 121 N. Arroyo Blvd., Rio Hondo Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. No charge Donations are appreciated SAN BENITO HISTORy MUSEUM 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults - $3; Children under 12 - $1.50 SOUTH TEXAS MOTORCyCLE MUSEUM 4705 E. Richardson Rd., Edinburg Saturday, Noon - 6 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 4 p.m. General Admission - $5 Group discounts available. TEXAS CONJUNTO MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Adults - $3, Children under 12 - $1.50 WESLACO MUSEUM OF LOCAL HISTORy & CULTURAL ARTS 500 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday and Major Holidays Adults - $4, Senior - $3, Youth 5 to 17 - $2 Children under 5 - FREE Weslaco Museum Members - FREE FREE admission first Saturday of the month. WILLACy COUNTy HISTORICAL MUSEUM 427 S. 7th St., Raymondville Saturdays and Wednesdays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. No charge Donations appreciated Photos courtesy of MOSTH and Valerie Bates SEE & DO Brownsville Golf Center 1800 W. San Marcello, Brownsville Cottonwood Creek Country Club 1001 Ed Carey St., Harlingen Ebony Hills Golf Course 300 W. Palm Dr., Edinburg El Nino Golf Course 3805 W. Business 83, Mission Fort Brown Memorial Golf Course 300 River Levee Rd., Brownsville Long Island Village Golf Course 950 S. Garcia St., Port Isabel Llano Grande Golf Course 370 Golf Course Rd., Mercedes Source: Rio Grande Valley Partnership Los Lagos Golf Club 1720 S. Raul Longoria Rd. Edinburg Martin Valley Ranches Golf Course 7607 Hole in One Dr., Mission Meadow Creek In the Valley 1300 Circle Drive, Mission Monte Cristo Golf & Country Club Semi-Private 2919 North Kenyon Rd., Edinburg Palm View Golf Course 2701 S. Ware Rd., McAllen Raymondville Municipal Golf Course Emma Ross Rd. Raymondville PUBLIC GOLF COURSES River Bend Resort Semi-Private 4541 US Military Hwy 281 Brownsville Shary Municipal Golf Course 2201 Mayberry, Mission Short Shot Golf Course 304 N. Cesar Chavez, Alamo South Padre Island Golf Club 1 Golf House Road (FM 510) Laguna Vista Stuart Place Country Club 155 Highland, Harlingen The Palms at Mid Valley Golf Course N. FM 491, Mercedes Tierra del Sol Golf Club 700 E. Hall Acres Rd., Pharr Tierra Santa Golf Club 1901 Club de Amistad, Weslaco Tony Butler Municipal Golf Course 2640 S. M St., Harlingen Treasure Hills Country Club Semi-Private 3009 N. Augusta National Dr. Harlingen Valley International Country Club 95 Country Club Rd., Brownsville Village Executive Golf Course 2 Mi. S. of Bus. 83 on FM 1015 Weslaco NOTE: Numerous private golf courses are available and should be considered when choosing a home in this region. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 83

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87 VETERAN FRIENDLY WaR MeMORIaLS OF the RIO GRaNDe VaLLey The Valley celebrates life through monuments and memorials. We honor those that served our country through the military and helped shape our great nation. You will find statues and plaques across the Rio Grande Valley memorializing those that gave their lives for our freedom. Since they are spread out, it is hard to visit all of them on foot. However; once you arrive at each destination walking the grounds is recommended. BROWNSVILLE VETERANS PARK 1 Recognizing the service and sacrifice of our military veterans and their families; Brownsville s history of heroes tells the stories of its fallen warriors who are memorialized on signage throughout the park Central Ave., Brownsville (located immediately next to Brownsville Library) Sunday - Thursday, 8 a.m p.m. Monday - Friday, 8 a.m p.m. Facility reservations call: Photo courtesy of Brownsville CVB 1 SAN BENITO VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL 2 The San Benito Veterans War Memorial operates to acknowledge and honor the value and sacrifice of the men and women soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines of the United States, and of all who rendered faithful, loyal, heroic and self-sacrificing service at home and overseas especially those Killed or Missing in Action. 151 E. Rowson, San Benito Mon. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. No admission. Photo courtesy of City of San Benito 2 SAN JUAN S LIBERTy PARK - VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Liberty Park was the brainchild of a local area businessman and San Juan resident. Tributes to all veterans of military service and especially those that served in conflicts and helped preserve the American way of life. The park features the tallest flagpole in South Texas. A granite war memorial was dedicated and engraved with the names of servicemen from San Juan who died while on Active Duty, during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Liberty Park is located on Business Highway 83 just west of Standard Avenue. Photos courtesy of San Juan EDC 3 3 STATE VETERANS CEMETERy 4 The State Veterans Cemetery located in the Rio Grande Valley is a special place to those who have served their country. The Valley s long history of military service is revealed in this 75-acre cemetery including a visitor s center, a computer system for locating specific graves and an assembly area for special occasions S Inspiration Rd., Mission Photos courtesy of The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce 4 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 85

88 HISTORIC AMERICAN LEGION HALL 1 The first American Legion Hall built or owned by any post in the world is located on South Main Street, in Donna, Texas. Built and Owned by Border Post No. 107, it was dedicated in 1920 and recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in For Legion Information please call: S. Main Street, Donna Photo courtesy of Bruce Kalte HIDALGO COUNTy VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL 2 The Memorial, located on the courthouse lawn in Edinburg, honors individuals from Hidalgo County who were killed in action during World War I, World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam. Hidalgo County was also home to three heroes awarded the distinguished Medal of Honor. 100 N Closner Blvd, Edinburg For more information contact the City of Edinburg at: Photo courtesy of Edinburg Chamber of Commerce 1 VETERAN FRIENDLY IWO JIMA MONUMENT 3 On the morning of February 19, 1945, the 4th and 5th Marine Divisions invaded Iwo Jima after a somewhat ineffective bombardment that lasted 72 hours. The 28th Regiment, 5th Division, was ordered to capture Mount Suribachi. Marine Military Academy 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., Harlingen Phone: Photo courtesy of Marine Military Academy VETERAN S WAR MEMORIAL 4 The American Spire of Honor in McAllen is located on a 5-acre site, featuring a 105-foot-tall, black granite-covered war monument. It represents the courage, spirit and fearlessness of sacrifice by our forces. The war memorial includes Guardian Walls that surround the spire, thanking donors, and flagpoles dedicated to the memory of Rio Grande Valley soldiers that died during operations Galveston Avenue, McAllen (near McAllen Convention Center) Photo courtesy of City of McAllen MCN 12 2 MORE VETERAN FRIENDLy ACTIVITIES BOOTS ON GROUND Early November The City of Los Fresnos hosts an Annual Veterans Memorial Endurance Mud Run called BOOTS ON GROUND at the Los Fresnos Rodeo Grounds. Come test your strength and endurance! For more information, contact the City of Los Fresnos at: The Valley s All-America City of Pharr SALUTE TO VETERANS PARADE & FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA. The weekend before Veteran s Day - Parade begins at 4 p.m. at the intersection of Cage Blvd. and Polk Ave. with more than 60 patriotic floats; and continues south to PSJA Stadium, 600 E. Kelly. Fireworks begin at 7 p.m. from the empty fields adjacent to Liberty Middle School on Fir St. Visit RIO GRANDE VALLEy PREMIUM OUTLETS during Veterans Day Weekend, and enjoy additional savings from some of your favorite designer and name brand stores including Adidas, Calvin Klein, Gap Factory Store, Perfumania, The Children's Place and many more. Visit the Sales & Events page for a sampling of in-store promotions. Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. ALWAyS HONOR, NEVER FORGET Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony concludes at the beautiful Veterans Memorial Park, Laguna Vista Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

89 MERIT VS MEDIA FRENZY WHAT S IN THE NEWS Currently, the Rio Grande Valley is the focal point of the Border Patrol s efforts to secure the border. As such, the area has received a lot of attention from politicians. Over the past several months, BCL representatives have given tours to numerous senators, congressmen and other high-ranking government officials (from the U.S. as well as foreign countries), who have visited the area to get a closer look at what is being done to keep this nation safe. These visits have showcased the area and are beneficial in getting additional resources to safeguard the nation. Our belief is that as we strengthen our relationships with our communities, we ultimately strengthen our borders. And, despite what you may have heard in the media, the Rio Grande Valley really is a safe place to call home. WHO WE ARE The United States Border Patrol s mission is to secure the homeland from all threats. The communities in which we work play a vital role in our ability to secure our nation s borders. If we are to be successful in keeping our nation safe, we must be actively involved in our communities. Building strong and long-lasting relationships within the communities is a top priority. COMMUNITy CONNECTION In an effort to establish and strengthen community relations, the Border Patrol implemented the Border Community Liaison (BCL) program. The BCL program is designed to streamline communication between the public and the Rio Grande Valley Sector s chief patrol agent by effectively disseminating information to communities and providing an avenue through which the public can give valuable feedback. Under the program, each of the sector s nine stations as well as the sector headquarters have BCL representatives to serve as the face of the Border Patrol in regards to community outreach efforts. Many of our BCL programs focus on young people to help steer them on the path to becoming responsible, productive members of society. One of these outreach programs is Operation Detour. The goal of this initiative is to deter teenagers and young adults from becoming involved in illegal activity, particularly the smuggling of humans and narcotics. Teens are often recruited by cartels because they are easily enticed by the so-called easy money, and the myth that juveniles who get caught will not be prosecuted. Detour aims to Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 87

90 show teens that when they become involved with gangs, they ultimately end up in one of two places a gravesite or prison. Since 2009, agents have presented Operation Detour to nearly 240,000 students in the Rio Grande Valley. Recently, RGV Sector s Communications Division revamped the program to make it more RGV-centric, so that teens in the area can better relate to the message. The new production features the stories of three young people from the Rio Grande Valley, who are currently incarcerated for crimes they committed as teenagers. Another BCL program called Head of the Class rewards high-achieving students from nearly 60 high schools throughout the region for their hard work and success. This year marks the program s 19th Anniversary in the Rio Grande Valley. Three years ago the program was enhanced to include Youth of the Year, an essay contest among Head of the Class recipients that awards scholarships to the students who write the best essays. Since the Youth of the Year program was implemented, $13,000 in scholarships have been awarded in partnership with the Region One Education Service Center and other local partners. Additional outreach at the schools includes participation in job fairs and, for younger children, Red Ribbon Week presentations. The Red Ribbon Week presentations urge kids to say no to drugs. During Red Ribbon Week agents go to local schools and talk to children about the dangers of drug abuse and encourage them to lead a drug-free life. Law Enforcement Explorer posts are another example of outreach focused on young people. Explorers receive training in techniques as well as in the mission and objectives of law enforcement. Explorer posts give agents an opportunity to mentor youths while at the same time giving the Explorer a first-hand look at what a career in law enforcement has to offer. The dedication of our agents has led to a successful Explorer program as seen in the numerous awards brought home by local Explorers from competitions throughout the state. KEyNOTE APPEARANCES Additionally, BCL representatives give presentations to Winter Texans during their stay in the Valley and allow the agency an opportunity to alleviate misconceptions and communicate our goals and objectives with a broader spectrum of individuals. As Border Patrol agents we not only work in the local communities, we live in them, too. Our children attend schools here; we shop in local stores and eat in local restaurants. Therefore, it s important to us that our communities and families are safe. Building strong and long-lasting relationships within the communities is a top priority. It s vital to us that members of the community are on our side and act as another set of eyes and ears. We cannot be everywhere at all times, but if we have members of the community who trust us and are willing to report suspicious activity, we can achieve a higher level of success. CONNECT WITH US To arrange a community outreach event send an to: RGV-Outreach@dhs.gov. To report suspicious activity call: Story & Photo credits: RGV Sector Communications Division 88 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

91 Valley Haunts If you re into the paranormal, and enjoy sitting around the campfire sharing ghost stories, we ve got a treat for you. The Rio Grande Valley is full of things that go bump in the night, strange mysterious occurrences and tales of the unexplained. We invite you to come discover our spooky places. Sleep in a haunted hotel, explore graveyards, and investigate the stories of strange and creepy events that are still happening today! LA BORDE HOUSE - RIO GRANDE CITY: A growing interest in all things haunted has placed La Borde House at the center of many nationally renowned paranormal investigations, and they have all come to the same conclusion; there is definitely a presence in the house. It is said to be haunted by a little girl calling out for her mother in Rio Grande City. People have heard her laughter in the hallway. She wears a light blue dress with a petticoat and has dark straight hair with bangs. She drowned in the well. There is also a woman dressed in red that roams the rooms. The story is that she was a lady of the night that fell in love with a soldier. He promised to come back for her, but didn t, and so she committed suicide. Some patrons have heard a woman s voice in the Red Room say, Get Out! The stories recounted by past guests, telling of their beckoning of spirits and ghoulish apparitions, support these claims. There will always be skeptics, but the truth can only be known by those that have experienced. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 89

92 ROMA CEMETERy: An unnerving spirit of a lady dressed in black; perhaps she is in mourning, has been spotted regularly in Roma s cemetery. FORT RINGGOLD - RIO GRANDE CITy: The distinct sounds of marching soldiers can still be heard at the fort once commanded by Civil War General Robert E. Lee. RIO GRANDE CITy HALL: It s not uncommon for city employees to experience sounds resembling falling furniture only to discover everything in its place. THE MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS HISTORy - EDINBURG: The historic part of this museum, the Old Tower, was a well-known jail where criminals were incarcerated and hanged. You can sometimes see the hanging rope swinging, and even see shadows of former prisoners. RIO GRANDE CITy: There is a little boy ghost that haunts the city hall second floor. He wears a t-shirt and overalls and is barefoot. He is known to peer out the windows and has been recorded to say in Spanish, Ven! Ven! (Come! Come) STARR COUNTy: On Halloween night on San Antonio Street there appears an old lady walking with blood on her face. The Police department in Rio Grande City has received calls on those nights to go help the old lady. LOPEZ-TIJERINA COMPLEX - RIO GRANDE CITy: Legend has it that a Civil War solider, whose love for a local merchant s daughter was forbidden, caused him to take his life. His apparition has been seen gazing up at her balcony. CASA DE PALMAS HOTEL - MCALLEN: A former employee has been seen often over the past few years, even though she died a long time ago. Be especially watchful for her and her antics on the third floor. BROWNSVILLE MUSEUMS: From time to time, guests and staff alike report disturbances such as footsteps, noises, voices, and the occasional light problems that cannot be explained by normal means. Various groups have lead paranormal investigations at the Stillman House Museum, the Brownsville Heritage Museum, and the Old City Cemetery Center. THE BANKS OF THE RIO GRANDE RIVER IN HIDALGO: The story is that a beautiful peasant girl had several children by an aristocrat who wouldn t marry her. In a fit of despair, she drowned her children and then herself, dooming her spirit to wander the shores forever. You can still sometimes see her ghostly outline and hear her wails. Haunted Tours La Borde House Haunted Tours: Stop by and live it for yourself, one thing for certain; built in 1899, La Borde House has been host to well over 100 years of souls. The question is, did they walk out the door or do they still linger in this mystical place? For more information on Group Tours, please call: Museum of South Texas History: Discover the historic culture and heritage of South Texas and North Eastern Mexico. View an extensive collection of artifacts and archival documents and enjoy programs and seasonal events, including their Annual Dia de los Muertos festival, where the alter exhibit is highlighted. For more information call: Port Isabel Historical Museum: Visit an incredible exhibit of original paintings featuring skeletons, altars, and pieces of art on display during the Day of the Dead. This has been a Port Isabel Historical Museum tradition since For more information on this seasonal exhibit call: Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum: Annual Haunted House Terror at the Museum is a real scream! The horror, shock, panic and candy are FREE Don t come alone! Call: Port Isabel Ghost Tours: Port Isabel is home to some haunting history. The area was Fort Polk during the Civil War, a favorite sheltering destination of fierce Pirates, a wandering ground for the legendary local Indian tribe of great height and great appetite, and a site of multiple tragic shipwrecks. Port Isabel was a swinging hot spot during Prohibition and a beacon of light for many lost travelers. The local lore and legends are fascinating. So fascinating that many who experienced it are still hanging around! Come and learn about all the local haunts on the Port Isabel Historical Ghost Tour. The tour starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday. It is a night time walking tour so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for an adventuresome evening. For reservations call: The Museums of Port Isabel (ask for Jeannie) or call Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

93 RESTLAWN CEMETERy - EDINBURG: Restlawn Cemetery, the area s only African American cemetery, is the site of frequent strange noises-moaning, groaning, and other mysterious sounds even though no living soul is around. HISTORIC HIDALGO COUNTy COURTHOUSE & JAIL - HIDALGO: Prisoners were hung over the years as Hidalgo County was a haven for outlaws from both sides of the river. The walls spoke; from the two-story building when paranormal investigators used equipment to record the noises from within. Imprints of grasping hands on chairs and furniture movement proved life beyond. Additionally, the shutters of the old jail open and close frequently. MATZ STREET HARLINGEN: Planning a visit to Harlingen? Legend has it that, on Matz Street, a young girl walks the street, after midnight. She s crying, but will not answer when you try to talk to her. She ll vanish. GUERRA BUILDING ROMA: The Manuel Guerra House and Store, (702 Hidalgo Street) near the Plaza, was constructed between 1878 and 1884; a young girl died a hideous death when a large mirror fell on her the girl s image has been witnessed over time. WILLACy COUNTy COURTHOUSE: Willacy County was formed back in 1911 and local chitchat conveys that the courthouse had a long-abandoned jail on the third floor. Locals have voiced hearing chairs shoved around upstairs. What ghostly past lurks? No one really knows. GHOST DEPOT IN EDINBURG: The old train depot, now a Chamber of Commerce office, is visited often by ghosts of travelers past. Sometimes a music box starts apparently on its own, footsteps are often heard passing by the reception desk and voices - sometimes muffled and sometimes distinct - can be heard when no one is around. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 91

94 WHALEN ROAD, PHARR: Travel down Whalen Road and you ll find the site of a house that burned to the ground many years ago, killing all the occupants. To this day people report sightings and hearing the mother and children running through the nearby woods, as well as the father calling after his cattle. Watch out for sticks and stones, too - the family apparently doesn t like visitors! THE WALLACE PROPERTy PHARR: Back many decades ago, the Wallace family lost their beloved daughter, Olivia, when she was almost nine. To this day people still report seeing a small girl at the window, and her image has actually been caught on film. THE OLD HIDALGO PUMPHOUSE MUSEUM: Lively sounds of the past pump house workers emanate from within late at night and employees from the Immigration & Customs Reinforcement have reported seeing people in the windows - gazing from the inside out. HEALTHCARE FACILITy HARLINGEN: The old Harlingen Insane Asylum is no longer in business and the location is disserted. Local legend is if you go there at night you can hear people screaming and see apparitions walking. Many people died during their stay perhaps these spirits will never rest. MCALLEN CITy HALL: The McAllen City Hall is located on the site of a former hospital and is often a spooky place to work at late. Doors open and close, footsteps echo down the hallways, and people have actually been seen entering the second floor restroom - and then disappearing. INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF ARTS AND SCIENCE - MCALLEN: Members from the staff of IMAS in McAllen have caught more than a glimpse of a little boy at closing time. At times he creates disarray with the retail displays by moving (or dropping) items inside the gift shop. SAN JUAN HOTEL: The Historical San Juan Hotel is no longer in business, however; locals know the location on Business 83 where a prostitute was once murdered. Folks say you can hear ghostly screaming and crying for help coming from the building and a spirit has been seen calling and waving from a second-story window at night. CITy OF HIDALGO: On the grounds of Hidalgo City Hall, one can only imagine the past; perhaps a gentle flicker of lanterns that lit the stables and the smell of mesquite burning from the fireplaces of the homesteads that once lain there. Today, long after employees leave for the day, a gentle sound of horses whinnying and gallops can be heard in the silence of the night. CITy OF MERCEDES: Mercedes Economic Development Corporation and the Mercedes Chamber Offices are located in a beautifully renovated building that was the original location of H & H Meats in Rumor is; if the spirit doesn t like you you ll know it! DISHMAN ELEMENTARy IN HARLINGEN: Teachers have reported that fifty years ago a child was beaten to death by another student in the old girl's bathroom and if you stay alone in there you can hear soft cries coming from the last stall. Valley Haunts Provided by: McAllen CVB, IMAS, Edinburg CVB, City of Hidalgo, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse Museum, La Borde House, City of Roma, Harlingen CVB, Brownsville CVB & Historical Museum, Gladys Porter Zoo, San Juan EDC, Mercedes EDC, Port Mansfield Chamber, Port Isabel Chamber & Historical Museum. SPOOK-TA-CU-LAR EVENTS OFFERED EACH year IN BROWNSVILLE INCLUDE: Boo at the Zoo is an annual event alternative to trick or treating on the streets. Over 60 carnival-style games and treat stations along with a spectacular Haunted House are available for everyone to enjoy. For more information call: Gladys Porter Zoo at Fantasmas, Brujas, y Espías: The Haunted World of Mexican Cinema from the Agrasanchez Collection. Mexico is the country of ghosts, witches and spooks that haunt the dreams of children and adults. The golden age of Mexican cinema captured the haunted world of Mexico that both terrified and thrilled its audiences. Featuring original posters, lobby cards and other memorabilia from the Agrasanchez Collection Annual Shades of Haunted History Walking Tours: Downtown Brownsville, Fort Brown and the Old City Cemetery. Participants in each of the tours will learn the haunted history, legends and folktales associated with some of Brownsville s most historic sites. Annual Murder, Mayhem, and Scandal Tour: Since the city of Brownsville's founding in 1850, the town has been a hotbed of action and intrigue as the town was built by personalities larger than life. While those citizens are no longer with us today, their stories live on and even death can't hide some of the juicier tidbits of the city's colorful past. The Brownsville Historical Association has dusted off these stories of intrigue, murder, and of mayhem to share them with the public during their annual tours. Hear of brave men who died by a rival's hand or of politicians who were interested in more than just civil engagement. The stories revealed during the tour are a reminder that history does repeat itself. For more information contact: The Brownsville Heritage Complex at This is just a sampling of weird and spooky places in the Valley. Come see for yourself! 92 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

95 Calendar of Events JANUARy ANNUAL WINTER TEXAN APPRECIATION FIESTA to be held in mid-january at Harlingen's Casa de Amistad. The event has been expanded to include a classic car show outside, an expo of quilts, live band, line dancing performance, business expo and much more. POLAR BEAR DIP OR PENGUIN PLUNGE, SPI - Ring in the New Year with a brisk dip into the Gulf of Mexico at South Padre Island. Choose either or both. The Polar Bear Dip is held at Clayton s Beach Bar in the morning and the Penguin Plunge is at Boomerang Billy s in the afternoon. Contact: SPI Chamber at GOLDEN AGE OLyMPICS - Seniors ages 50 and over are offered a unique opportunity to participate in an Olympic-style event where they can socialize and compete with others in a wide variety of events. From baking and bowling to billiards and shuffleboard, participants compete for bragging rights and award gold, silver and bronze medals. Events are held throughout the Rio Grande Valley from January through March. Contact: McAllen Parks & Recreation at KEEPIN' IT RIO ART WALK - Rio Grande City Greater Chamber of Commerce hosts to Keepin' It Rio Art Walk at the historic La Borde House, located at 601 Main St., Rio Grande City. Local artists will showcase their works of art from Jan.-April. This event is always FREE! THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOW, McAllen Convention Center McAllen Chamber of Commerce presents this prestigious event each year in early January. Mexican Artisans will be on-hand to enhance your enjoyment. Giveaways & Door Prizes! Call: ANNUAL WINTER TEXAN EXPO & HEALTH FAIR, McAllen Convention Center Over 75 exhibits of mobile homes accessories & supplies, physicians, hospitals & healthcare facilities, financial institutions, restaurants, entertainment, travel & tourism and more! FREE health screenings, entertainment and door prizes! JAMMIN ON JACKSON STREET WITH VANCE GREEK & FRIENDS, to be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays* of each month beginning in November and continuing through March. The jam sessions will be held inside The Railroad Crossing, a model railroad clubhouse and family event center located at 101E. Jackson St., Downtown Harlingen. The jam sessions are free and open to the public. FEBRUARy INTERNATIONAL ART SHOW, Brownsville The Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts, is the only international art show in South Texas. Since 1971, art has arrived for the juried show from all over the world for this annual event. Regularly featured artists from across the globe. Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, 660 E Ringgold For details: JALAPENO 100, Harlingen This is a cycling race made for both the avid and amateur with distances for all! Visit: MARCH DIA DEL TOURISTA (TOURIST APPRECIATION DAy), Nuevo Progreso, MX The party is on in mid-march; a festival celebrating Winter Texans with food, entertainment and great shopping. Call Weslaco s Chamber for dates: TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION & COOK OFF, San Benito In celebration of Texas Independence Day, festivities take place early in the month and include three live re-enactments of the battles leading to the State s freedom from Mexico. Also on site: demonstrations of vendors, barbeque cook-off, brisket plate sale, period parade, Declaration of Independence signing ceremony, 5-K race, live music, raffles and beer garden. South Texas Youth Stock Show Grounds, off FM 510 in San Benito. Call: HEAT WAVE CAR SHOW & SOUND OFF, SPI - Enjoy live music, contests and venders with thousands of custom car lovers! Door opens at 10 a.m. daily in early March at South Padre Island s Convention Center. Visit for more information. MCALLEN S MUSIC AFTER HOURS Archer Park, McAllen - A Craft Fair is held the first Friday of every month January-May and September-November, 6 p.m p.m. Local artists display and sell their works that express passion and promote an art culture. The event showcases hand-made arts and crafts. McAllen Chamber continues to look for crafters and artists that make unique and original items. Interested participants call: Photo courtesy of State Farm Arena. ANNUAL HISTORIC WINTER WALKING TOURS 2015 WINTER SEASON Brownsville Historical Association is once again hosting Winter Walking Tours for This year the tours will be on Friday's and Saturday's and will be led by Dr. Tony Knopp, Mr. James Mills, Mr. Eric McGee, Mr. Eugene Fernandez. Cost for the walking tours is $10 for non-members and $5 for BHA members. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling: OLD CITy CEMETERy WALKING TOUR WITH EUGENE FERNANDEZ on Saturdays, January 10, 31 and February 14 at 1 p.m. Guests will meet at the Old City Cemetery located on 6th Street. HISTORIC FORT BROWN WITH ERIC MCGEE on Fridays, January 16 and February 6 at 11 a.m. Guests will meet at the Brownsville Heritage Complex on Washington Street. HISTORIC ST. CHARLES DISTRICT WALKING TOUR WITH DR. ANTHONy KNOPP on Fridays, January 23 and February 13 at 11 am. Guest will meet at the Old City Cemetery located on 6th Street. HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR WITH MR. JAMES MILLS on Fridays, January 30 and February 20 at 2 p.m. Guests will meet at the Brownsville Heritage Complex on Washington Street. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 93

96 CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL SAND CRAB NIGHT RUN, SPI Typically hosted the last weekend in April. Run on the beach at night wearing lights! Join 2,000 visitors for this unique event! Barbeque & Beer Celebration follow at: Clayton s Beach Bar & Event Center. For more information visit: RIO GRANDE VALLEy HOME & GARDEN SHOW, McAllen Convention Center - Exhibit Halls A & B located at: 700 Convention Center Blvd. Everything under one roof from pools to plants, outdoor furniture to cutlery, guest speakers and prizes. For more info, call: or visit MAy ANNIVERSARy OF THE BATTLE OF PALO ALTO, Brownsville - Come see demonstrations of weapons, tactics, and soldier life from the U.S.-Mexican War era. Musket and artillery demonstrations are dependent upon weather. Resaca de la Palma Battlefield Paredes Line Road, Brownsville. For details call: Ext. 333 or visit MOTHER'S DAy RIO GRANDE CITy TROLLEy TOUR - The Rio Grande City Main Street Program & RGC EDC invite all mothers to a FREE Trolley Tour on Mother s Day at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Seating limited, please call (956) to reserve your seats. Mothers will receive a special gift courtesy of RGC EDC. JUNE THE GREAT TEXAS CATAMARAN RACE, SPI A sailboat competition taking contestants 300 grueling miles from South Padre Island to Galveston Island in a race against time for fame and glory. The course is both challenging and potentially hazardous as weather changes and shipping traffic can become an obstacle for the small boats that race against time to reach the shores of Galveston. It's the longest catamaran race in the world and competitors are limited to foot catamaran vessels. More information contact: Clayton s Beach Bar FATHER'S DAy RIO GRANDE CITy TROLLEy TOUR - RGC Main Street Program & RGC EDC invite all fathers to FREE Trolley Tour - June 19, 2015 at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited, please call to reserve your seats. Fathers will receive a special gift courtesy of RGC EDC. 94 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley BLUES ON THE HILL, Harlingen - Blues on the Hill is an annual concert series featuring national and international blues music artists. Food vendors are always on site selling BBQ, fajitas, hot dogs, nachos, funnel cakes, cotton candy, kettle corn, tacos, etc. Bottled water, sodas and beer are also available. The event is a family oriented cultural event bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Contact Harlingen CVB: TASTE OF THE VALLEy, Pharr Events Center Pharr s award-winning tasting party featuring a delicious assortment of food and drink provided by the Valley s premier restaurants. Taste of the Valley showcases restaurants and their chef s creations with live entertainment. Contact Pharr Events Center: or CONJUNTO MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTIONS, featuring conjunto pioneers, at San Benito Knights of Columbus Hall, 826 E. Stenger. Call , or reyavila@sbcglobal.net. JULy The Rio Grande Valley celebrates the Fourth of July from Roma to South Padre Island with parades, live music, BBQ s and fireworks! RIO GRANDE CITy 4TH OF JULy CONCERT AT THE KIOSK, Rio Grande City Main Street Program & RGC EDC invite you to their annual 4th of July Concert (FREE to the public). The event is hosted at the Kiosk on Britton Avenue in downtown RGC. Concert goers are treated to free hotdogs and lemonade. For more info: Photos courtesy of City of Hidalgo, City of San Benito and South Padre Island Chamber MOVIES IN THE PARK It s one of McAllen s most popular and well-attended events of the summer, Movies in the Park aims to provide fun, inexpensive entertainment for local families. Family and friends have gathered by the hundreds, every week throughout the summer, with their blankets, lawn chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy this free and wholesome community activity. Movies are scheduled every Saturday night from June through July at McAllen s Westside Park located at 1000 S. Ware Rd. Admission is FREE! For a complete schedule of events contact McAllen Parks and Recreation at (956) FIREWORKS CAPITAL OF TEXAS, that s South Padre Island, and beginning no later than Memorial Day weekend every year through Labor Day weekend, on Friday and Saturday nights there are fireworks displays on the beach and bay at both ends of the Island at 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Whether bayside or beachside, you will see an explosive fireworks show. Contact the SPI Chamber at for more information. RESACAFEST, at Heavin Memorial Park on the Resaca in San Benito, celebrates the Spirit of America. 705 N. Bowie Street. Call for more information TEXAS INTERNATIONAL FISHING TOURNAMENT (TIFT), SPI - Surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf of Mexico, Port Isabel and South Padre Island play host to Texas' largest saltwater fishing tournament, the Texas International Fishing Tournament. Tournament starts with late registration on Wed. & Thurs. with a special play day for junior anglers on Thurs. Fishing gets underway early Fri. morning with bay boats required to return to their berths each night and offshore boats allowed to stay out overnight while still adhering to tournament start/stop fishing times. Tournament wraps up with lunch/awards ceremony on Sunday. To register or for more information go to: PORT MANSFIELD FISHING TOURNAMENT The Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce sponsors an Annual Fishing Tournament in July that attracts anglers from all over the Gulf Coast because of its exceptional sports fishery both Bay and Offshore divisions for men, women and juniors, prizes, and live music. For over 40-years the tournament activities have offered something for the whole family to enjoy. For more details call or visit BEACHCOMBER ART SHOW & SALE, SPI - The SPI Convention Centre will host the annual Beachcomber Art Show and Sale the last weekend in July. Handmade art, paintings, prints, folk art, wood sculpture, glass and jewelry for sale by artists. An annual event you won't want to miss! For more information go to:

97 AUGUST MCALLEN, ANNUAL KIDS FISHING DERBy - Awards in each age division will be determined by measuring the number and/or length of the fish caught over an allotted time. Prizes also awarded for biggest fish, smallest fish and most fish caught. Please bring your own fishing pole. A limited supply of fishing poles will be available on a first come first served basis. Bait will be provided. Boys & Girls Age Divisions 4-6 years, 7-9 year & years. Contact: LADIES KINGFISH TOURNAMENT, SPI Early in August, for over 30 years ladies have entered this fishing event! Registration is at the South Padre Island Convention Centre on Friday. Weigh-In is located at South Point Marina in Port Isabel on Saturday and on Sunday the awards brunch takes place at the South Padre Island Convention Centre. Check website for all details/registration. SEPTEMBER TEXAS SLAM KAyAK FISHING TOURNAMENT, SPI - Call UB Kayaks for details on registering! Five kayaks will be given away to winners. Contact: Tony Crouch Event Location: Clayton's Beach Bar & Grill OCTOBER ANNUAL NARCISO MARTINEZ CULTURAL ARTS CENTER CONJUNTO FESTIVAL, 225 E. Stenger, San Benito - Celebrating the origins of accordion-based conjunto music in South Texas. Call Rogelio Nunez at for more information. Website: nrogelio@hushmail.com RIO GRANDE CITy NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - The Rio Grande City Police Dept. and RGC Crime Stoppers invite the public their annual National Night Out on the first Tuesday in October from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Starr County Fairgrounds. There will be kiddie rides, games, food and so much more! For more details, call HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK MONSTER MASH -The Rio Grande City Boys & Girls Youth Club invite the public to their annual Halloween in the Park Monster Mash hosted at Basilio Villarreal Municipal Park on October 28, There will be kiddie rides, a haunted house as well as a costume contest for children, adults and pets! Free to the public! HAUNTED EXPERIENCES - RIO GRANDE CITy HAUNTED TROLLEy TOURS -The Rio Grande City EDC and Main Street Program invite the public to their annual Haunted Trolley Tours of RGC in October. For more info call: Photos courtesy of City of McAllen and Rio Grande City EDC ANNUAL HAUNTED TRAILS - NATURES NIGHTMARE, Valley Nature Center, Weslaco Come if you dare! No one under 11 years old will be allowed in NOVEMBER BREW IN THE WOODS, Valley Nature Center, Weslaco - Silent Auction Beer & Wine Door Prizes Live Music Raffles and Great Food. FALL JAMAICA, Rio Grande City - Every Fall (2nd Sat. in Nov.), the Immaculate Conception School holds their annual Fall Jamaica, the event is free to the public and includes a cake walk, hay ride, live entertainment and more. Call INDIAN CULTURAL POW WOW, part of Texas Heritage and Independence Celebration Association, Inc. features live dances and costumes from American Indian tribes. The location will be announced/event takes place in late November. Call for more information. Website: happybirthdaytexas.com. CALENDAR OF EVENTS FREDDy FENDER HUMANITARIAN AWARDS Held every October. Contact Ron Rogers at or at rrogers956@sbcglobal.net. SAN BENITO MARKET DAyS - Market Days in downtown San Benito from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Batts Street & Railroad Tracks. Meet local vendors enjoy live music and good food. Contact EDC at Ext. 302 or 304. MCALLEN ARTWALK McAllen s Art District Is a FREE self-guided tour of art galleries and art hosts in one of McAllen s oldest areas. Guests can start their tour at any location and proceed at their own pace. Come experience big-city art in historic charm. McAllen ArtWalk begins the first Friday of each month, September through May. The evening exhibits begin at 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. North Main St. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 95

98 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MEMORIAL ILLUMINATION, Brownsville Experience and participate in the lighting of 8,000 candles to honor U.S. and Mexican veterans of the1846 battles near the Rio Grande. Candle lighting begins at sunset during the 2nd week of November. The public is encouraged to bring grill lighters to the Resaca de la Palma Battlefield located at 1024 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville. For more information: , Ext. 333 visit: DECEMBER NIGHT OF LIGHTS, Edinburg s Holiday Celebration -Traditionally occurs the first Saturday in December. Night of Lights kicks off with live family entertainment, music, food booths, games and a beautiful lighted parade filled with brightly decorated floats, and a popular visit from Santa Claus! Call: ANNUAL WELCOME HOME WINTER TEXAN PARTy, Mission The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce hosts the largest Winter Texan population and their Welcome Home Party is big as Texas. It features great entertainment, FREE snacks and more. PALMVIEW S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS POSADA Family friendly with a visit from Santa Claus, Palmview s Annual Christmas Posada features Folklorico dancers, dance teams, school choirs singing carols, Palmview s nationally recognized Mariachis, food vendors and so much more! Bring in the spirit of the season at Palmview City Park typically hosted one week before Christmas. Call: CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK - Annual McAllen Christmas Festival celebrates cultural and seasonal traditions. McAllen Tamale Fest features fresh warm tamales. Witness the tamale eating contest, tamale making contest and purchase a variety of tamale delicacies onsite or take home. Santa makes a visit during this event. Children can also experience a variety of activities, games and rides throughout the event. Adults enjoy shopping in the craft markets and live music on multiple stages. A variety of food from fajita tacos and turkey legs to hot chocolate and aguas frescas will be available. Visit: www. mcallenholidayparade.com ANNUAL DIAS FESTIVOS, McAllen Convention Center The Junior League of McAllen s Annual Dias Festivos Marketplace opens the holiday shopping season each year in early December. They feature gourmet foods, apparel, home décor and furnishings, original art, and a wide variety of unique gifts for the holidays. 96 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley MID-VALLEy LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE, Weslaco & Thursday s Alfresco Weslaco. Experience the Mid-Valley Lighted Christmas Parade in early December! Floats begin at 6 p.m. and travel down Texas Blvd. Parade line-up starts at Pike and continues to 6th St. Call: or visit LA FERIA S ANNUAL LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE INSIDE SANTA S WORKSHOP The La Feria events listed below will take place in mid-december. No admission & parking is FREE. Contact: for more information or visit Enjoy floats, classic cars, marching bands, Santa Claus and much more. Parade starts at Main St. & continues from Magnolia Ave. to 9th St. Lighting of the Tree, La Feria - Lighting of the City for the Holidays, live music. Bring a weather proof ornament to hang on the tree. Winter Festival, La Feria - Live music, carnival rides, games, food & merchandise vendors. Location: 901 N. Canal St. Photos courtesy of City of McAllen,State Farm Arena and City of San Benito HIDALGO S ANNUAL POSADA On the week before Christmas alongside Hidalgo s Festival of Lights, the annual posada features an all-star lineup of live musical entertainment with more than 10,000 FREE toys provided to the children in attendance. ICE PALACE, Hidalgo The Ice Palace Ice Skating Rink is open in Memorial Park Pavilion Enjoy skating in the Lights of Hidalgo. Open for business the entire month of December! SPI S ANNUAL LIGHTED STREET PARADE Lighted parade entries, music, Santa, sand and much more. Contact City of South Padre Island. MCALLEN S NEW year S EVE BASH, McAllen Convention Center - The City of McAllen annually hosts the ultimate year-end celebration with a New Year's Eve Bash. The family friendly event has multiple activities scheduled throughout the evening leading to an epic finale. Count down the seconds and welcome the New Year with an unforgettable firework finale. Parking and admission is FREE to the public.

99 Festivals & Celebrations JANUARy ELVIS FEST AT LITTLE GRACELAND, Los Fresnos - Simon Vega served in the Army with Elvis, and has turned two rooms in his home into a shrine to The King. Elvis impersonators compete each January at the shrine to the KING of rock & roll. Located at: 701 West Ocean Blvd., Los Fresnos TEXAS CITRUS FIESTA - Come join us for our spectacular Parade of Oranges. The parade route becomes lined with more than 100,000 spectators from the United States, Canada and Mexico who come to watch the colorful floats built by civic clubs, churches, businesses and schools. The parade route will begin on Conway and 495 to 4th Street. Bring some snacks and park your vehicle by the road (along Conway) and enjoy the beautiful floats. Hosted in late January, a Royal Reception, Royal Coronation of King Citrus & Queen Citrianna, Parade of Oranges, Fun Fair, Vaquero Cook-Off, Fun Run, and Heart of America Carnival. For tickets, call or visit MISSION ANNUAL WINTER TEXAN FESTIVAL Hosted by the Mission Chamber of Commerce in early February, call or visit The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce, located at 202 W. Tom Landry, FEBRUARy FIESTA EDINBURG, Edinburg Chamber s largest celebration! It s a super fun, quality of life event for the city and Rio Grande Valley. Fiesta Edinburg symbolizes an important moment in history. Fiesta Edinburg s big party was created to commemorate Edinburg as County Seat. For more info call: CHILI SHOWDOWN COOK-OFF - Join the Rio Grande City Main Street Program and RGC EDC at the annual IBCA sanctioned Chili Showdown Cook-Off the first Saturday in February at the Kiosk on Britton Avenue from 8:00 a.m. to Midnight. The RGC Boys & Girls Youth Club also has their Annual Kiddie Cook-Off. Anyone interested in participating, call (956) STARR COUNTy youth FAIR -The Starr County Fair Association invites everyone to their annual Starr County Youth Fair hosted at the Starr County Fair Grounds in mid-february. There are activates such as livestock shows, student art exhibits, live entertainment and so much more. For details call Photos courtesy of Weslaco EDC, State Farm Arena and City of Pharr RIO GRANDE VALLEy MUSIC FESTIVAL, Mercedes - Mid-February delivers five main stages filled with traditional Country, Western, Bluegrass, and Gospel music. Special performances by Valley school groups plus food concessions, arts & crafts vendors and music workshops. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Biscuit & gravy breakfast served 8 a.m.-11 a.m. All net proceeds support Valley youth music education. Location: Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showground, 1000 N. Texas Ave CHARRO DAyS, Brownsville -The importance of Charro Days goes back to 1937 when it was first organized, uniting the spirit of two cultures between the border towns of Brownsville and Matamoros. Something for everyone, parades, amazing rides, games, food and fun! People come to Charro Days as visitors to learn about the rich cultural heritage. Visit: SOMBRERO FEST, Brownsville - 3 day event attracts this large segment of the population by featuring well-known Hispanic Artists, local music, unique food-booths, popular events such as the Jalapeno Eating Contest, Waiters Race, Grito Contest, Charro Days Classic 5K run, Tortilla Frisbee Toss, Hat-Stack Relay, and the only Charro Bean cook-off we know of, Frijolympics. We provide a fenced, secure, and family oriented festival. Phone: MARCH HUB PHEST (FEST) ANNUAL PHARR HUB PHESTIVAL takes place at the end of March. Enjoy food, games, entertainment, and music. BROWNSVILLE GUITAR ENSEMBLE FESTIVAL - The guitar festival is held on the UTB & TSC campuses. The daily acoustic guitar ensemble competition is open to the public in the TSC Arts Center Concert Hall, Event takes place at the end of March. Master classes and clinics will be in the Arts Center and Eidman Music Building. For more information about the Guitar Festival, please contact: Dr. Michael Quantz, BORDERFEST, HIDALGO - A nationally recognized, award winning Heritage and Music festival attracting more than 65,000 people over five days! Featuring over 100 bands and entertainers, fireworks, a bold imaginative parade, pageant, Folklorico dancers, crafts and a bar crawl. Annually the festival donates $40,000 to $50,000 for local scholarships. For more information call: Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 97

100 FESTIVALS & CELEBRATIONS RIO GRANDE VALLEy LIVESTOCK SHOW, Mercedes - This show offers oodles of fun for the entire family including a parade, youth livestock contests, rodeo, marketplace for shopping, and a carnival. For a full schedule visit: AIR FIESTA, Brownsville Takes place in early March; gates open about 9 a.m., flying starts around 12 noon and lasts for about 3 hours. Plan enough time to view the historic aircraft on display, enjoy the arts & crafts trade show and sample the wide variety of food the vendors have to offer before the air show begins. At 11 a.m., one hour before the show will start, the part of the air show grounds where aircraft are operated - the so called "hot area" - will be sealed off for safety reasons. Commemorative Air Force Rio Grande Valley Wing 955 South Minnesota Ave., Brownsville TEXAS ONION FEST, Weslaco - Come celebrate the Texas Sweet Onion, developed in Weslaco! Texas Onion Fest features live music, delicious food, cooking demos, kiddy rides, recipe contests, dancing horse show, car show and more! Event takes place at Weslaco City Park, 300 N. Airport Drive, in Weslaco. For more information, call: APRIL VIDA VERDE EARTH DAy FESTIVAL - Be a part of the largest Earth Day festival in the Rio Grande Valley at Quinta Mazatlan, the McAllen Wing of the World Birding Center. This event is traditionally held the third Saturday in April from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities for the entire family include live animal shows, educational presentations, live cooking demonstrations, eco-art exhibits, live music, craft and food vendors. Admission fee is $5 per adult and $3 per child/senior. For more information contact: (956) SEPTEMBER WHITE WING FESTIVAL, Penitas Live entertainment, kiddie carnival, vendors, Texas Cook-Off, $5,000 in cash prizes & trophies! WWF is a non-profit organization. Contact the City of Penitas for more information. 98 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley ANNUAL PACHANGA IN THE PARK, Port Isabel During the first week of September the Annual Pachanga in Washington Park in Port Isabel delivers the Grito Contest, Jalapeno Eating Contest and Best Tasting Chalupa Contest. Enjoy Brownsville s Consulado de Mexico Dance Contest, Dance Performances, Mexican Costume Contest, Jalapeno Eating Contest and Chalupa Games. Call: OCTOBER ANNUAL BROWNSVILLE LATIN JAZZ FESTIVAL; is scheduled for the second complete week of October. It has hosted countless Latin jazz artists of the highest caliber, and entertained thousands for 16 years! This three-day event provides exposure to Latin jazz. The first and last day offer FREE outdoor concerts enjoyed by over 4,000 persons of all ages. The second and third days are feature concerts by a Grammy nominated artist. Clinics, master workshops, dance competitions and exhibitions throughout. Call or visit BEER FEST, Beer-Up in Brownsville it s an amazing evening of beer sampling, food tasting, and good ol Rock N Roll!!! Brownsville BeerFest gives its guests the ability to sample hundreds of beers from different corners of the world ranging from craft to specialty brews to the good ol favorites. Guests can also sample exquisite cuisine from of the area s most popular restaurants. Brownsville BeerFest is also home to the Longest Bar in Texas, this 121 rustic wooden bar has become an instant fan favorite and a great place to meet & enjoy the festivities. Contact: info@brownsvillebeerfest.com PALMFEST INTERNATIONAL FOLK LIFE CELEBRATION, McAllen PalmFest features major attractions, historical displays, art, family games, rides, cooking competitions and demonstrations, live entertainment, diverse food & beverage. Over 40,000 people enjoy the event inside the McAllen Convention Center and all around the grounds in the Oval Park & Reflecting Pond. For more information call: WILD IN WILLACy, Raymondville - the last weekend in October with ranch tours, cook-offs, trade show, museum tours, vendors, children s program, photography contests and more. Contact: NOVEMBER PIG FEST Live entertainment, Hog roast, piggy races, bucket & Live auctions, mystery pigs, The Gambler Card Raffle in support of the Ronald McDonald House charities of the RGV. Call: RIO GRANDE VALLEy BIRDING FESTIVAL, Harlingen During the first week of November, the RGV Birding Festival features birding field trips, workshops and seminars with top birding experts, family programs including a raptor show and the popular, hilarious, FREE birding quiz show. The birder s bazaar is a top notch (FREE) trade show just in time for Christmas shopping for optics, books, and jewelry for your friends and family. The bazaar also harbors booths that educate on the many local spots to enjoy nature. A silent auction featuring at least 60 items is a golden opportunity to get a bargain. Location: Fair Park Municipal Complex 1204 Fair Park Blvd. Check the website for more information: or call ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SHRIMP COOK-OFF, Port Isabel - During the first weekend in November; sample some of the best amateur and professional shrimp recipes in the world. Enjoy live entertainment and performances mingle! DECEMBER CITy OF PHARR CHRISTMAS FIESTA First weekend in December join us in Lighting Up the city with great music, food booths, family fun & entertainment, carnival rides, Santa s Playground with snow from the North Pole and pictures with Santa following the parade! FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS - Hidalgo s Festival of Lights starts at sunset every night throughout the month of December. Drive the trail of 9 sites for FREE or take a train, trolley or horse drawn carriage from the City Hall Plaza. Tickets sold on-site at City Hall. For more information on the Dinner-concert- trolley tour, call (956) Don t miss the Festival of Lights Illuminated Parade! Photos courtesy of City of San Benito and City of Hidalgo

101 GO BeyOND art FOR art S Sake They make art for our sake... ALBERT L. JEFFERS THEATRE May - September UT-RGV, 1201 W. University Dr., Edinburg AL FRESCO JAZZ ON THE STREET Texas Blvd., Weslaco BORDER THEATER 905 N. Conway, Mission BROWNSVILLE SOCIETy FOR PERFORMING ARTS CAMILLE PLAyHOUSE 1 Dean Porter Park, Brownsville CINE EL REy THEATER 311 S. 17th St., McAllen THE METROPOLITAN OPERA - LIVE IN HD 100 W. Nolana Loop, McAllen THE COOPER CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION ARTS or GALERIA E. 13th St., Brownsville HARLINGEN PERFORMING ARTS THEATRE 1209 Fair Park Blvd., Harlingen JARDIN DEL ARTE 1906 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg KEEPIN' IT RIO MARKET DAyS The Kiosk on Britton Avenue 1st Saturday of each month 11a.m. - 3 p.m. MCALLEN CREATIVE ART INCUBATOR/MCA2 601 N. Main St., McAllen MCALLEN CONVENTION CENTER 700 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen mcallenconventioncenter.net MCALLEN SyMPHONIC BAND mcallentownband.org NARCISCO MARTINEZ CULTURALART CENTER narciscomartinezculturalartscenter.org PHARR CULTURAL ARTS 119 W. Newcombe Ave PHARR EVENTS CENTER 3000 N. Cage, Pharr RIO THEATER 516 Doherty, Mission 17TH STREET ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT 11th to18th & Bus. 83 to Dallas, McAllen SPI - EL PASEO ARTS FOUNDATION SPI ARTSPACE Learn, Shop, Create. Visit SPI FALL MUSIC SERIES Contact SPI Chamber for information SOUTH TEXAS LyRIC OPERA Maestro: / Admin: STATE FARM ARENA - EVENTS 2600 N. 10th St., Hidalgo TSC ARTS CENTER 80 Fort Brown, Brownsville TEJANO WALK OF FAME (Edinburg City Auditorium Courtyard) 415 W. McIntyre, Edinburg PATRON OF THE ARTS One West University, Brownsville CHARLES AND DOROTHy CLARK ART GALLERy Located in the UT-RGV Fine Arts Complex Dept. of Music & Dance VALLEy SyMPHONy ORCHESTRA & CHORALE South Texas Youth Symphony WESLACO TOWER THEATER 120 S. Kansas Ave., Weslaco WILLACy COUNTy ART LEAGUE 427 South 7th Street, Raymondville willacycoartleague.com Photo courtesy of State Farm Arena Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 99

102 port MaNSFIeLD "ONe OF the top 10 SpORt FISHING DeStINatIONS IN the WORLD" Port Mansfield offers excellent fishing in a number of venues. The Laguna Madre is home to abundant redfish, speckled trout, sand trout, flounder, and other species. Its shallow waters make it easy to fish by small boat, wading or casting a line from the shore. A public fishing pier is also available at the county park and public bay access fishing is located in Port South. By boat the Gulf of Mexico is only nine miles away and once through the Port Mansfield channel you ll be able to go after the big ones. Red snapper, tarpon, sailfish, marlin, kingfish, mackerel, ling, pompano, and other catches await. Port Mansfield has been described by sports editors as one of the best fishing areas in the country. Numerous professional fishing guides and charters are based in Port Mansfield. The 2014 Sport Fishing Magazine named Port Mansfield as "One of the top 10 Sport Fishing Destinations in the World". Story courtesy of Port Mansfield Chamber Photos courtesy of Terry Neal and Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc. 100 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

103 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 101

104 Photos by Carlos Nuñez 102 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

105 South Padre Island Photos by Carlos Nuñez As you d expect, the land is mostly sand that feels good between your toes, and it runs right up to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and idyllic Laguna Madre Bay. Some say its home to the most beautiful beaches in the Lone Star State. How you spend your day on them is up to you. Fishing (deep sea or bay), boating, floating, bird watching, shopping, building sandcastles or beach bumming, your time is your own. You ll find bird watching, fireworks, catamarans, sky diving, jet skis, parasailing, snorkeling, diving adventures, dolphin watches and horseback rides. When the sun settles down behind the bay, it s a sight to behold. The gentle evening comes alive in the nightclubs and restaurants where people not unlike you gather for conversation, good food, music and dancing. Relax, enjoy all that surrounds you, and think deep happy thoughts. You re on South Padre Island a place you really want to be. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 103

106 Best Beachin in Texas! SANDCASTLE TRAIL Unique, hand constructed sandcastles are everywhere, year-around on South Padre Island. The SPI Sandcastle Trail has 20 Island locations. Sandcastle enthusiasts can find the list of locations at LAGUNA MADRE BAy AND GULF OF MEXICO - FISHING A trip to South Padre Island isn't complete if you don't get your line wet. Inshore or offshore, fly fishing or spin casting, charter boats or kayaks, surf fishing, spear fishing or wading, you will find the ultimate fishing experience. In the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or the abundant Laguna Madre Bay, South Padre Island is the place to fish in South Texas. And when it comes to fishing captains, we've got some of the saltiest dogs you'll ever meet and most restaurants will cook your catch. Go fish! AMUSEMENT PARK Gravity Park at Marlin and Laguna, across from Louie s Backyard offers night time entertainment including the area s newest miniature golf course Island style, plus The Rocket at 175 foot reverse bungee, The Skycoaster and Go Kart racing. It is fun, fun, fun for everyone. WATER PARK Schlitterbahn holds the reign as the number-one-rated water park in the U.S. South Padre s 26-acre location showcases a five-story sandcastle with animated characters mounted from six towers connected by ramps, stairs and net climbs. From their man-made waves, river, volleyball court and activity pool they are now open year-round with indoor and outdoor waterpark features. Dine, stay & play! SAVING THE SEA TURTLES Sea Turtle, Inc. is open to the general public year round. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured sea turtles, educate the public, and assist with conservation efforts for all marine turtle species. CRISTO DE LOS PESCADORES MEMORIAL El Cristo de los Pescadores translates to "Christ of the Fishermen". The memorial stands majestically on the south end of the Island at the Isla Blanca Park. Above: photo courtesy of Skydive SPI Below: photo courtesy of Schlitterbahn SPI Beach Resort Photo by Carlos Nuñez Photo courtesy of Sea Turtle Inc. 104 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

107 Sandcastle Capital of the World South padre Island Recently Julian Alvarez, President/CEO of the RGV Partnership Regional Chamber and Andy Hancock, South Padre Island s Sandcastle Guru, met in front of the local Chamber Information Center. WE DON T DO BORING Julian: Gazing at this castle, reminds me of my youth, filling colored buckets with sand to build sandcastles surrounded by moats That is until our siblings, playmates or a BIG WAVE came along and destroyed them! Those are some of my favorite childhood memories here at South Padre Island. Hawaii has volcanic and black sand, New Mexico has white sand, some sand comes from fish spitting up coral, green is produced from algae, and some sand glistens from opal shells, the Caribbean has pink sand, etc. Where does our sand come from? Andy: Our sand comes from the Rio Grande River and the Island is shaped by the Gulf of Mexico...the Arroyo Colorado is the freshwater feeder to one of the greatest fish nurseries in the USA and they are the two main reasons people come to South Padre Island. Julian: And, where do you gather the sand for the sandcastles you build? Andy: Sand I use for the massive castles on the Street is dredged from local Resaca's to keep them clear and it has a unique mix of clay, silt and sand which makes it dry hard and its very resilient. Photos provided by: Andy Hancock Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 105

108 Andy won the 2014 People s Choice at Sandcastle Days! Sandcastle Days, South Padre Island's signature October event, invites Master Sand Sculptors from around the world to compete by building their dreams in sand! Three days of art, music, food and fun. Vendors, and kiddy rides and so much more. For more information visit: Julian: What is the glue that prevents them from deteriorating in the elements? Andy: We spray them with Elmer s glue on the Beach and I use Titebond on the street as it has a harder shell when dry. Julian: How much do you use? Andy: We use about a 3 gallons mixed on the smaller stuff but the big ones probably have 20 gallons put on at minimum. There is periodical maintenance required, but it s all part of having public art "don t build them, unless you can fix them! Julian: And how long does it take to build one of your beauties (small & large)? Andy: Small sculptures can take a full-day in boxed form, but the heart on the beach took about 2 hours. The largest castle ever built on the island took 500 hours of solid work but it s taken probably that again to keep it looking good. The City of South Padre Island commissioned this beautiful masterpiece. Julian: What famous folks have contracted you? Andy: Famous folks? That s a good question We really don't have a many down here or if they are, I probably wouldn't recognize them anyway. My passions lean towards a premier soccer league from England and MotoGP (motorcycle racing). I don't think they get down here much, people say; I'm famous and I just tell them YES, I am a legend - a legend in my own lunchtime! Meet Andy at Say hi by phone or text at Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

109 Antiquing & Flea Markets Alongside the numerous retail centers, shopping malls, boutique & specialty shops, bargain spots, discount warehouses, markets, street vendors and outlet stores throughout the Valley; there are evoking ANTIQUE STORES and incredibly inducing ever changing FLEA MARKETS! JACKSON STREET MARKET DAyS First Saturday of Every Month - January through December shop for treasures at an old-fashioned, open-air street market featuring antiques, collectibles, plants, fresh produce, live music, and more. The Market is located between 4th & Commerce, and open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. VICTORIA'S ANTIQUES & GIFT 1524 N Conway Ave. Mission Monday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday Friday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (tea room closes at 3 p.m.) CANTU'S ANTIQUE THRIFT SHOP 915 E. 9th St Mission Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m. JACKSON STREET ANTIQUES 218 Jackson Harlingen Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. RUSTICA 221A E. Jackson Harlingen Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. SHABBy FUFU 122 E. Jackson Harlingen Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. THE WHITE LION & COMPANy 119 E. Jackson Harlingen Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. THE ANTIQUE EMPORIUM 123 E. Jackson Harlingen Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 108 E. Jackson Harlingen Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. FRANK S COLLECTION RECORD SHOP 123 E Jackson Harlingen Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. GOTHAM COMIXS 211 S. Commerce Harlingen Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. 5 p.m. Photos courtesy of Weslaco Chamber and Downtown Harlingen HOPES AND DREAMS COLLECTIBLES 1746 Central Blvd. Suite C Brownsville Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. JUAN S MUSIC AND COLLECTIBLES 325 Palm Blvd. Brownsville Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday by appointment JUNK N- TREASURE 210 Suite A Palm Blvd. Brownsville Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. MEL'S ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 7501 N Expressway, Olmito Friday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 107

110 REPEAT BOUTIQUE 1809 Central Blvd. Brownsville Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. NEW & AGAIN ANTIQUE MALL 1101 Upas Ave. McAllen Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. ALAMO FLEA MARKET 1602 W. Expressway 83 Alamo, TX Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. Famous for Noisy Haggling, Trendy Knockoffs, One of a Kind Bargains & Heaps of Fun! Flea Markets of the RGV OCHOA S FLEA MARKET 4010 North Conway Ave. Mission, TX Saturday, 6 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Sunday, 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ANTIQUING & FLEA MARKETS Tierra Dulce - Rustic Furnishings Previously located in McAllen NOW: Hours online 24/7 GALLERy 420 N 10th St, #2 McAllen Monday - Saturday, 12 p.m. - 9 a.m. TLC GALLERy 906 E US Hwy 83 McAllen By appointment VIDA 133 W US Highway 83 McAllen Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. NUEVO SANTANDER GALLERy 717 North Main Street McAllen Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. MIMI'S ATTIC 415 S Texas Blvd. Weslaco Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Photos courtesy of Weslaco Chamber and Downtown Harlingen BARGAIN BAZAAR 4400 North 23rd Street McAllen, TX Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. BORDERS FLEA MARKET 1045 Mexico Blvd. Brownsville, TX Thursday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. DON-WEST FLEA MARKET Victoria Road & Business Hwy. 83 Donna, TX Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Seasonally October thru March ECCLEATE MARKET W. Monte Cristo Rd. Edinburg, TX Wednesday - Saturday, 5 p.m p.m. LOS PORTALES FLEA MARKET & BALLROOM 9503 Highway 107 (Conway & 6 Mile Line) Mission, TX Thursday & Sunday, 5 a.m. - 3 p.m. MERCEDES FLEA MARKET 3041 West Expressway 83 Mercedes, TX Saturday & Sunday, 4:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. PORT ISABEL ANTIQUE FLEA MARKET Beulah Lee Park Port Isabel st & 3rd Sunday of each month 9 a.m. - 4 p.m THE RIVER MARKET INC. 910 South Monterrey St. Hidalgo, TX Monday - Sunday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. SEVENTy SEVEN FLEA MARKET 5955 North Expressway Brownsville, TX Saturday & Sunday, 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. SURPLUS IMPORTS FLEA MARKET 1 ½ East Expressway 83 Mercedes, TX Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. VAL VERDE FLEA MARKET Business 83 and Val Verde Road Donna, TX Wednesday, 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. WESLACO FLEA MARKET 1025 North Texas, Ste. 18 (S. Frontage) Weslaco, TX P: Open Thursday thru Sunday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 108 Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

111 Real Farmers Real Food FaRMeRS MaRketS OF the RIO GRaNDe VaLLey SOUTH PADRE ISLAND FARMERS MARKET: Sundays from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Year-round at The Shores (north end of Island) just past the Convention Center. Join local farmers, bakers and artisans for an afternoon at the beach! The SPI Farmer's Market features unusual varieties of locally grown fruit and vegetables, Texas honey, olive oil, grass-fed beef, handcrafted soap, delicious food and entertainment. THE BROWNSVILLE FARMERS MARKET brings local flavor home year-round from 9 a.m (noon) every Saturday morning. Located at Linear Park along 6th St. between Ringgold and Harrison, the Brownsville Farmer s Market presents a great selection of farm-fresh fruits and veggies, herbs, flowers, raw honey, gulf coast shrimp, baked goods, homemade jams, handcrafted soaps, and so much more. HARLINGEN S FARMERS MARKET: (every Saturday) draws crowds from near and far. Shop the market's just-harvested seasonal vegetables, eggs, meats, seafood, herb plants, dairy products, flowers and beyond! Location: A Street between Jackson & Monroe. Open: Saturdays from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. WESLACO FARMERS MARKET: provides the opportunity for farmers to sell and consumers to buy produce directly from one another. By doing this, the Market increases the local food supply and production, and hopes to create, expand and enhance the economic strength of farmers in South Texas while contributing to the health and wealth of Valley residents. Located in front of the Visitor & Event Center found at 275 S. Kansas Blvd. - Wednesdays from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. THE ORIGINAL FARMERS MARKET: Open 7 days/year round 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Fresh produce/free Parking/No Admission! Located at: 3109 East Business Hwy. 8, Donna, TX (956) PHARRMERS MARKET: The Market is an eco-friendly, educational and festive, family event. Highlights may include: Fresh produce, plants & flowers, herbs, farm fresh meats, candy, honey, cheese, dairy products, and food preparation demonstrations. Located at the Food Bank of the RGV; 724 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr Thursdays from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. GROW N GROWERS: Produces food by organic methods. They carry tropical fruits, including citrus; a large selection of vegetables and herbs, goat milk soap and fresh goat milk kifer (drinkable yogurt), 100% certified grass-fed beef, honey, pecans, and adobe baked bread. Additionally you may find certified organic chocolate and organic coffee, as well as jams and jellies. Open year-round. A fully Organic Farmer s Market, located at Fireman s Park in McAllen (1st Street & Business 83) Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. MARKET AT MCALLEN: To get the best tasting dishes you need to start with the best ingredients. These can only be found through local farmers and ranchers where the products are harvested at the peak of freshness. With a Texas Green footprint, they provide the best tasting menus possible, and a nice selection of craft items that support local business. Located at: McAllen Public Library (4001 North 23rd Street) Open: Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. THE FARMER'S WIFE ROADSIDE MARKET: It s always open providing Starr County with whatever is freshest in home grown produce, farm fresh eggs, local honey, home-made salsas, and much more. Located at: 4743 North FM 755 Road, Rio Grande City, TX (956) Sources: Rio Grande City EDC, SPI Chamber of Commerce, Brownsville CVB, Harlingen Downtown Merchants, Weslaco EDC, City of Pharr & McAllen CVB Photos courtesy of Harlingen Downtown Merchants, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service & Grace Heritage Ranch Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 109

112 Chambers of Commerce AND OTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS ALAMO 130 S. 8th Street, Alamo BROWNSVILLE 1600 University Blvd., Brownsville EDINBURG 602 West University Dr., Edinburg HARLINGEN 311 E. Tyler St., Harlingen HIDALGO 800 E. Coma, Hidalgo LOS FRESNOS 203 N. Arroyo Blvd., Los Fresnos McALLEN 1200 Ash Avenue, McAllen MERCEDES 320 S. Ohio, Mercedes MISSION 202 W. Tom Landry, Mission PALMVIEW 400 W. Veterans Blvd., Palmview PHARR ECONOMIC DEVELOP- MENT/PHARR BIZ 308 W. Newcombe Ave., Pharr PORT ISABEL 421 Queen Isabella Blvd., Port Isabel PORT MANSFIELD 101 E. Port Drive, Port Mansfield RAyMONDVILLE 700 FM 3168, Raymondville RGV HISPANIC CHAMBER 3313 North McColl Road, McAllen CITy OF SAN BENITO 401 N. Sam Houston, San Benito ext. 301 SAN JUAN EDC & CHAMBER 4810 North Raul Longoria, Ste. 5 San Juan SOUTH PADRE ISLAND 610 Padre Blvd. South Padre Island WESLACO 275 South Kansas, Ste. B Weslaco RIO GRANDE VALLEy PARTNERSHIP 322 S. Missouri, Weslaco CONVENTION & VISITOR S BUREAUS BROWNSVILLE CVB 650 Ruben M. Torres Sr. Blvd. (FM 802), Brownsville HARLINGEN CVB 311 E. Tyler St., Harlingen McALLEN CVB 1200 Ash Avenue, McAllen McALLEN CONVENTION CENTER 700 Convention Center Blvd. McAllen SPI VISITOR S CENTER 610 Padre Blvd., SPI SPI CONVENTION CENTRE 7355 Padre Boulevard, SPI WINTER TEXAN TIP Not all insurance companies handle mobile and manufactured home insurance. From Padre s surf and sand to Falcon on the Rio Grande, Bert Whisenant Insurance provides all your protection needs. CELEBRATING 60 YEARS SERVING THE VALLEY. HOSPITALS HARLINGEN MEDICAL CENTER 5501 South Expressway 77, Harlingen VALLEy BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER 2101 Pease Street, Harlingen VALLEy BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER 1040 West Jefferson Street, Brownsville EDINBURG REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 1102 West Trenton Road, Edinburg KNAPP MEDICAL CENTER 1401 East Eighth Street, Weslaco MCALLEN HEART HOSPITAL 1900 South D Street, McAllen MCALLEN MEDICAL CENTER 301 W. Expressway 83,Mcallen TX ONCOLOGy 1901 S 2nd St, McAllen, Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley

113 Eat Drink Be Merry Brew Crew s Smoking Hot Sauce Ingredients: 4 red onions chopped 5 jalapeno peppers chopped oz. can whole tomatoes chopped 3 tbs. Don Juan red fajita mix ¼ cup oill Directions: 1. Start your fire for your BBQ. Once the fire is ready, put 2 double Comal s or a cast iron skillet on grill to heat up. 2. Add the oil to each Comal and add your onion and jalapenos stirring often. Once the onion starts to turn clear, add tomatoes and fajita mix. Cook for 20 minutes stirring occasionally. 3. Transfer the sauce to a large roasting pan and smoke for 30 minutes. Serve warm. Deliciously Smoky 1015 Onion Salsa WESLACO TEXAS ONION FEST SALSA RECIPE WINNER-ADULT DIVISION 1st Place-Al Ragusin, McAllen, TX Texas Best - VALLEY Grown Wine Chisholm Trail Winery is the home of The Spirit of the Old West where Longhorn cattle and quarter horses roam freely by the scenic Spring Creek. And, the varieties of award-winning wines they carry at this winery are all handcrafted by Paula K. Williamson. The winery has a large saloon-type tasting room and is open daily and believe it or not, they sell the Rio Grande Valley s finest grapes! Rio Vino Vineyard of Weslaco produces the grapes that recently earned Double Gold and Best in Varietal for her Belle Starr Blanc du Bois in the 31st Annual Lone Star International Wine Competition held in Grapevine. The winery is located at: 2367 Usener Rd., Fredericksburg, TX (830) Open daily Noon to 6 P.M. or buy online at: Photos courtesy of Weslaco Chamber, RGV Partnership, City of San Benito and Luby s Official Guide of the Rio Grande Valley 111

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