Jose Sulaiman this year's Mr. Amigo
 International boxing administrator Jose Sulaiman will join the Charro Days celebration as this year’s Mr. Amigo. The Mr. Amigo award has been given every year since 1964 to an outstanding Mexican citizen who contributes to international friendship and respect between the U.S. and Mexico. It has been a part of Charro Days since 1967. Read more...
MichaelPucket as Parade Marshal
 Michael Puckett’s first job with Charro Days came just out of high school, when he was drafted to drive a float in one of the annual parades.
That, of course, doesn’t count the times as a young boy when he donned colorful costumes and marched in the parades himself.Since then, Puckett has been a permanent fixture in Brownville’s premier celebration, and now serves as executive director of Charro Days Inc. Read more...
Charro Days activities and events
Swirling skirts, delicate laces and silver embellishments -- Brownsville decks itself in the colorful culture of Mexico during the 72nd annual Charro Days, Feb. 22 through March 1.
Parades, fireworks, dances and street festivals are all part of this unique bi-national festival, which celebrates the shared traditions and friendship of Brownsville and Matamoros. Read more...
Charro Days Volunteers ...Thank You!
If you watch a parade, dance at a costume ball, or eat something good during Charro Days, thank a volunteer.
Volunteers organize those parades, decorate the dance halls, grill the fajitas and do countless other things to make this bi-national, cultural celebration a huge success. Read more...
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Charro Days activities and events
Swirling skirts, delicate laces and silver embellishments -- Brownsville decks itself in the colorful culture of Mexico during the 72nd annual Charro Days, Feb. 22 through March 1.
Parades, fireworks, dances and street festivals are all part of this unique bi-national festival, which celebrates the shared traditions and friendship of Brownsville and Matamoros.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to join in one of Charro Days’ oldest and most beloved traditions – wearing the authentic costumes of Mexico whenever possible.
“Every state in Mexico has its own traditional dress or costume,” said Charro Days Inc. President John Patriarca. “Historically that was part of the festival: Wearing authentic Mexican attire. It can be as simple as wearing the Aguila shirt with the eagle on the back, or as elaborate as a Charro suit with silver coins down the legs.”
Brownsville native Chickie Samano has her mother’s exquisite collection of Charro Days dresses – three cedar chests full. She prizes the China Poblana costume her mother wore in 1938, during the very first Charro Days fiesta.
Her favorite, however, is the China Talavera from Puebla, with its royal blue embroidery.
“You hardly ever see one of those; there are very few of them left,” said Samano. “I’ll probably wear it to one of the dances at Fort Brown!”
Samano actually begins dressing for Charro Days in early February -- wearing one of the many embroidered Mexican dresses for sale in Brownsville and Matamoros. It delights her to see school teachers dressed for the festival, and Charro Days tourists with flowers in their hair.
“When I’m dressed in my different outfits, I feel like I’m really involved,” said the lively septuagenarian, known for her joyful “Gritos” in the festival’s opening ceremonies. “For me, this is the best time of the year -- Charro Days. There’s nothing better than Charro Days.”
Patriarca said everyone is strongly encouraged to dress up for dances, parades and other events that spread across the city -- from the food booths and music of Sombrero Fest in Washington Park, to Matamoros and its Fiestas Mexicanos.
“It gets everybody in the spirit of Charro Days and shows that everybody recognizes what Charro Days is all about….a celebration of both cultures,” Patriarca said.
Parades are a big part of Charro Days, including the Children’s Parade on Thursday, Feb. 26. Brownsville school children dress in colorful traditional costumes and learn intricate dance steps in a performance that teaches them about the rich history of Mexico.
Sixteen Longoria Elementary students will perform La Danza de Los Concheros during Fiesta Folklorica, the kickoff celebration for Charro Days, and in the Children's Parade. They will be among hundreds of Brownsville school children who get the afternoon off to march, ride or watch this beloved procession.
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I feel very nervous and scared because this would be the first time I will dance in front of all the people, but at the same time I feel very proud," said fourth-grader Mario Davila, one of the Longoria dancers.
Fourth-grader Alina Gutierrez said performing in the parade makes her parents very proud.
“To come out in the parade is one of my dreams,” she said,
One option for watching the Friday Illuminated Night Parade is the 3rd annual “Noche de Ninos,” hosted by the Children's Museum of Brownsville.
This parade-watching event takes place at the Law Offices of Frank Costilla, 5 East Elizabeth Street. With a $25 ticket for adults, guests may park in the Palm Village Parking Lot on Palm Boulevard and shuttle service will take them to the Costilla office.
The biggest parade of all, The Grand International Parade on Saturday, Feb. 28, has floats, bands and dancers from two countries.
Dances and costumed balls are another important part of Charro Days, starting with Baile del Sol at the Charro Days headquarters on Feb. 22. This free event also includes the
traditional “Grito” yell to launch the festival.
Charro Days enthusiasts will have other chances to dress up at the Baile Ranchero Friday night and the Charro Days Dance Saturday night at Jacob Brown Auditorium.
And don’t forget the big Charro Days Carnival at the UTB/TSC ITEC Center, Feb. 26 to March 8: Rides and fun for the entire family!
For more information, call the Charro Days HQ at (956) 542-4245. |
