Reprint from the Progress Times - February 1, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

Night parade kicks off Centennial

By Ricky Reynoso

The first night parade in the history of the Texas Citrus Fiesta was held last weekend.

As the kick-off event in a year-long celebration of the City of Mission’s Centennial, the Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges was a spectacular lighted night parade.

Honoring the Centennial theme, numerous floats in the parade reflected the history of Mission. And special Centennial banners adorned streetlight poles up and down Conway Avenue along the parade route.

Despite the time change and cool temperatures, both sides of Conway were lined with spectators wearing sweaters and covering themselves with blankets. Some residents had been waiting for hours in order to make sure they secured a good seat.

"I've been waiting here since four in the afternoon," said Edinburg resident Joe Chapa.

The parade of floats started at FM 495 proceeding South to Fourth Street. As the parade began, some residents voiced concerns over whether visibility would be an issue. All of the questions seemed to dissipate into the chilly night air as the lighted floats drove by. Entries in the parade included local high schools marching bands, decorated golf carts representing the local Winter Texan parks, and cars with many dignitaries such as Mission Mayor “Beto” Salinas and Grand Marshal Congressman Henry Cuellar. The Mission Police Department was on hand, whether stationed at various intersections or riding alongside the parade on motorcycles.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which won first place in the Horse division, decorated their float with a replica of the historical “La Lomita Mission,” which was built at the turn of the century and was the first settlement in the area. Following right behind was Father Roy Snipes and a “Cavalry of Christ.” The City of Palmhurst, which won second place in the General Division, was represented with a truck carrying Mayor Pro-Tem Janie Cantu-Cabrera and Councilmen James Aranda and Ruben De Leon, while Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez and Councilwomen Irma Garcia and Rosario Enriquez followed behind in a Corvette. Oleander Acres, which won first place in the Golf Cart entry, carried "King and Queen " Gale and Caryl Haines. Even Burger King was represented, with "The King" himself waving and posing for pictures as the float passed the spectators.

The winning parade entries were as follows:

Winter Texan I

1st - Wagon City South

2nd - Twin Lakes R.V.

Winter Texan II

1st - Bentsen Grove Resort

2nd - Mission Bell Resort

3rd - El Valle Sol / Luna

General Division

1st - Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

2nd - City of Palmhurst

3rd - Ruiz Productions

Horses:

1st - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Golf Cart Entry:

1st - Oleander Acres

2nd - Hidden Valley Ranch

Elementary School

1st - Leal Elementary

Student Council

2nd - Marcell Elementary

3rd - Enrique Camarena

Elementary

4th - La Joya ISD (Sam Fordyce Elementary Cheerleaders)

Commercial Entry

1st - Ice house (Foots Hideaway)

2nd - Spikes Ford

3rd - Platinum Productions

Valley Products Division

1st - Split Rail RV Park

2nd - Bluebonnet RV Park

3rd - Cub Scouts Pack 86

Results for Marching Units

Military Division

1st - VFW Nikki Rowe

Marching Units (Not Bands):

1st - Ann Richards Middle School Drill Team/Folklorico

2nd - Veterans Memorial High School JROTC

3rd - Lorenzo de Zavala

Jr. High School Bands:

1st - Alton Memorial Jr. High Band

2nd - Mission Jr. High Band

3rd - Kenneth White Jr. High Band

High School Bands

1st - Sharyland High School Rattler Band

2nd - La Joya High School Band

3rd - Veterans Memorial