From staff reports
Fiesta de Amistad begins tonight with a celebration at the Ramada Inn Ballroom, launching a month of events celebrating friendship between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña.
The kickoff, organized by the International Good Neighbor Council’s Del Rio chapter, runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and includes dance performances, recognition of community leaders and the unveiling of the 2026 Fiesta magazine.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with welcoming remarks scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Mayor Al Arreola will present the official Fiesta de Amistad proclamation at 6:55 p.m., followed by an announcement of this year’s calendar of events.
Dance groups will perform at 7:25 and 8:10 p.m. The program also includes recognition of the Fiesta art contest, announcement of the parade marshal and Mr. and Mrs. Amistad, and the crowning of Little Mr. and Little Miss Amistad.
Cake, pastries, photographs and fellowship will close the evening.
The celebration continues Friday, Oct. 16, with the Abrazo Ceremony at Amistad Dam at 10 a.m. A mayor’s reception follows at 6 p.m. at the Enchanted Event Center. The reception is by invitation only.
Saturday, Oct. 17, begins with the Fiesta de Amistad 5K at Star Park. Registration and lineup start at 7 a.m., with the race beginning at 8 a.m.
The Fiesta de Amistad parade also takes place Oct. 17. Participants will line up on West Second Street at 8 a.m., and the parade begins at 10 a.m. The route travels up North Main Street to the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.
An arts and crafts fair is scheduled at the fairgrounds Oct. 16-18, with a listed start time of 9 a.m. Charro Extremo activities are also planned at the fairgrounds during those three days, including goat roping, a barbecue cookoff, a charreada and a ranch rodeo.
This year’s celebration carries the message, “Stronger Together, United by Friendship.”
