Reprint from the Progress Times - January 18, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

King, Queen coronation is Thursday

 

The annual King Citrus guessing game is underway. And the question of just who will wear that crown during this year's Texas Citrus Fiesta won't be answered until Thursday, January 24, when the annual Royal Coronation is held at 7 p.m. at the Mission Neuhaus Center.

Admission to the coronation is $5 for reserved seats and $3 for general seating. Tickets are available at the Fiesta office located at 1420 E. Kika De La Garza Loop, Mission.

Whoever is chosen as King Citrus LXXI will join Queen Citrianna in reigning over the Citrus Fiesta Royal Court during this year's celebration which has as its theme "City of Mission’s Centennial."

Serving as Queen Citrianna LXXI will be Jessica Brooke Murillo of Mission, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Javier Murillo Last year's Duchess of Marsh White Seedless Grapefruit, was chosen to succeed Queen Citrianna LXX Patricia Elizabeth Espinosa, daughter of Marin and Pat Espinosa of Mission.

This year's Queen Citrianna graduated from Sharyland High School as a Top 10 Student. She is attending the University of Texas in Austin where she is majoring in marketing.

Also serving on the Royal Court will be Princess of Grapefruit Blossom Megan Anne Flowers of Weslaco, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Flowers. She is a senior at Harlingen High School South.

Princess of Orange Blossom is Lorena Flores of Mission, daughter of Ms. Isabel Flores and the late Jose Omar Flores. She is a sophomore at the University of Texas-Pan American, where she is majoring in nursing and with a minor in business.

Lady-in-Waiting for 2008 is Erika Denise Salinas of Palmhurst, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Salinas. She is a senior at Veterans Memorial High School and will be attending Texas A&M University in the fall where she will major in clinical psychology.

Also serving on the Royal Court will be 28 Duchesses from all across the Valley, one of who will eventually be chosen as Queen Citrianna LXXII to reign over the 2009 Royal Court.

Also new to this year's Royal Court is six-year-old Princess Anna LVIII Ashley Renee Tijerina of Mission, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Art Tijerina. She is a kindergarten student at Mims Elementary.

Serving in Princess Anna's court will be Princess of Lemon Blossom Emily Nicole Guerrero of Mission, daughter of Oton Guerrero and Zelda Guerrero. Princess Emily is in the first grade at John H. Shary Elementary.

Princess of Lime Blossom is Marla Victoria Salinas of Mission, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo L. Salinas. She is a kindergarten student at Covenant Christian Academy.

The coronation is not actually the kickoff event for this year's Fiesta. That distinction goes to the Royal Reception and Ball to be held Saturday, January 19, from 7 p.m. to midnight at Mario's Banquet Center.

Admission to this event is $50 per person.

Annually, one of the more popular - and unique - Fiesta events is the Product Costume Show and Royal Finale, which is set for Friday, January 25, starting at 7 p.m. at the Neuhaus Center. General seating is $5.

What makes this event so popular is the requirement that all costumes must be made from citrus and other fruits, vegetables and foliage that have been pulverized, dehydrated, blended and microwaved.

Lighted Night Parade

Another event which attracts a large crowd is the annual Parade of Oranges, which this year is set for Saturday, January 26. This year, the parade will be a night parade with lighted floats—the first night parade in the 71-year history of the Fiesta.

Floats and other parade entries will start lining up on North Conway. The parade gets underway at 6 p.m., traveling from north to south on Conway.

Fee for entering the parade is $250 for commercial entries and $30 for individual entries.

What would a "citrus" fiesta be without citrus? Sponsors aren't about to let that happen as the annual Citrus Youth Show exhibit will be on Saturday, January 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mission Market Square.

There will be fruit sales throughout the day, with the winners who exhibit the top fruit being announced at 4 p.m.

Rounding out the schedule of fiesta events will be:

- Fun Fair, Saturday, January 26, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., also at Mission Market Square. Gate admission is free, and the fair will feature food vendors, arts and crafts, kiddie rides and other entertainment.

- Vaquero Cook-off. Those competing can start setting up at 6 a.m. at Mission Market Square on the day of the event, Saturday, January 26. Competition will get underway at 2 p.m. Entry fee is $175 per team, which includes five entries.

Fiesta organizers said vendors can call the Fiesta office, 585-9724, for applications for the fun fair and parade concessions.

In connection with the Fiesta, the Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty, will have a Fiesta display. Hours at the museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A Fun Run also is scheduled on January 26 and anyone interested in entering should call Mission Parks and Recreation, 580-8760.

For more information on any Fiesta events, call the fiesta office, (956) 585-9724, or log on to www.citrusfiesta fiesta.net.