COMMUNITY — Annual Fiesta de Amistad Parade celebrates friendship

The new route for the Fiesta De Amistad Parade on Saturday, Oct. 17, did nothing to dampen enthusiasm for the annual event, as hundreds of Del Rioans and out-of-town visitors lined North Main Street to view the entries, to listen to music and to celebrate a lasting friendship between two nations and two border cities.

Andrew Scarbo, president of the International Good Neighbor Council/Del Rio Chapter, which organized the event, told The 830 Times after the parade, “I was very excited to hear all of the great comments about the parade. The lineup was a little hectic but those are things we as an organization will learn to perfect and improve on.

“To see everyone show up and give this new move a chance was a great feeling. I talked with several people who got to watch it and be a part of it, and I didn’t hear any negative comments. I heard people say they were saddened about the move from South Main Street to North Main Street, but once they witnessed it and saw it, they loved how it came out.

“I also appreciate everyone who came out in (the parade) and had a great time. There will always be little hiccups and lessons to learn when doing a parade, no matter where it is, but the important part is that the spectators loved watching it, and that’s what we accomplished,” Scarbo said.

The change Scarbo discussed was the new parade route, which this year began at North Main and Second Streets and ended on the grounds off the Val Verde County Fairgrounds. In the past, the parade used South Main Street for its route.

Val Verde County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez led this year’s Fiesta De Amistad Parade, followed by the Laughlin Air Force Base Honor Guard and vehicles from the Del Rio Fire Department, including their futuristic-looking Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck, which is stationed at Del Rio International Airport.

Next were the vehicles carrying the Fiesta royalty: Jeanne Roe Slover, the parade marshal; Frank Mendoza, Mr. Amistad 2026; and Michelle Gonzalez, Ms. Amistad 2026.

Saturday morning brought parade-perfect weather – a mostly clear blue sky, bright sunshine, the temperature hovering near 60 degrees Fahrenheit and a brisk breeze blowing from the north. Del Rioans and visitors watching the parade bundled up in sweaters, heavy sweatshirts, jackets and blankets.

Parade-goers were entertained by the tiny vehicles and comic antics of the Alzafar Shriners from San Antonio and marveled at the country’s first electric vehicle, a replica of an 1890 William Morrison electric wagon brought to the parade from Tiny Town Texas Museum.

Musical entertainment was part of the parade as well, with live conjunto blasting from the entry of Luceros del Bravo and marching tunes played by the San Felipe Memorial Middle School band and Del Rio High School’s very own Mighty Ram Band.

Several queens and kings rode in the parade, led by Miss Del Rio 2026 Jazel Sanchez, who sparkled in a red sequined gown. Members of the Miss Del Rio court were carried in separate vehicles, including Miss Del Rio Princess Sian Kamila Meza and Miss Del Rio Duchess Hailey Alonso.

Also greeting the public from their own vehicles were Little Mr. Amistad Noah Tiscareno and Little Miss Amistad Marie Nope. Not to be outdone, a bevy of queens from Ciudad Acuna played on the theme of the two cities’ cross-border friendship.

Joining the parade to represent their school was the Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Ciudad Acuna Honor Guard, who marched in formation and proudly carried the flag of Mexico.

Following the parade, awards were given to entries in several categories.

CASA of Val Verde County took home top honors for favorite float and favorite theme, and the Heritage Academy also earned several honors, for favorite dance, exceptional merit and favorite cultural entry.

On the musical front, Luceros del Bravo took home the trophy for favorite musical band, with the Del Rio Middle School winning favorite marching band.

An award for the favorite out-of-town entry went to U.S. Rep. Eddie Morales (D-Eagle Pass), and the top honor for favorite vehicle was awarded to Sonia Valdez.

Rounding out the list of parade entry winners was Laughlin Air Force Base for favorite military entry and Garfield Middle School for favorite marching unit.

The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .