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

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.
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Charro Days Volunteers ...Thank You!

Michael Puckett – 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.

This year, he has a new job: Honorary Parade Marshal. “Michael has been our executive director for about 14 years,” said Charro Days Inc. President John Patriarca. “He’s served as president for four terms, as many as anybody else has served. His knowledge and spirit when it comes to Charro Days is unsurpassed.

“He’s done everything else for Charro Days, and this year, we’re going to make him ride in that parade and honor him,” he said.

Puckett doesn’t quite know what to say. “It’s an honor for them to name me. In your wildest dreams you never think you’re going to be the parade marshal,” says Puckett, who has been executive director since 1995,” Puckett said. “I’ve ridden on floats in the parade before, so I think I know what to do!”

Along with being a long-time Charro Days volunteer, Puckett also served the county for 30 years, as an auditor and then as County Treasurer. When he retired from the county, Puckett was hired as Charro Days executive director in 1995.

“It’s something I enjoy doing,” he said. “It’s the largest event in Brownsville. You just want to be part of it and make sure it goes well.”

Puckett is known for his calm competence and positive attitude. “My job here at Charro Days is to make the event fun and help people have a good time. We have to show people what Brownsville has to offer,” he said.

Patriarca said Puckett has been central to the continued success of Charro Days, which began as an all-volunteer effort and has grown into a year-round planning effort. “Michael has played a tremendous role in the growth of Charro Days,” Patriarca said.

“When he started as executive director, we didn’t have an established office or much else. Now we have a beautiful office right along the parade route which includes a place to store our floats and other Charro Days memorabilia. “Michael has just been intimately involved in all facets of Charro Days.”

Puckett has plans to move to the Dallas area to be closer to his family. Patriarca said Puckett will continue to help with Charro Days, but will be hard to replace on a day-to-day basis.

“He’s there before the doors open and he’s the last one to leave. I don’t know how we’re going to replace that…,” he said.

Puckett has been supported in his Charro Days efforts by his wife Alice of 34 years. They are the parents of sons Chris and Jason, and grandparents to Spencer, Sydney and Ian.