The float, entered by Fancy Fiesta, a local decorating business, won honors for Best Local Float in Fiesta de Amistad International Parade in 2022. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
COMMUNITY — Del Rioans, guests enjoy Fiesta de Amistad Flowers Parade
By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Thousands of Del Rioans and guests from other cities, states and countries flocked to South Main Street Saturday for the annual Fiesta de Amistad International Parade.
The theme of this year’s parade was “Fiesta de Amistad Flowers Parade,” and parade entrants delivered on the theme.
Selected as the top local entry was a float created by designer Linda Cavazos and her team at her business, Fancy Fiesta. Judges Blanca Larson, Michelle Gonzalez and Linda Polanco selected the winners of awards for the parade entries.
Vanessa Croix, anchor and reporter for KENS5 in San Antonio, served as the mistress of ceremonies for the parade, introducing each float and performer.
Honors for best traveling or out-of-town entry went to the Eagle Pass Queens entry, and another group of queens, the Queen City Belles, captured top honors for best marching unit.
The “exceptional merit” award went to the entry from the Texas Retired Teachers Association, and the Mexican Consulate in Del Rio, captained by Consul Paloma Villasenor Vargas, was awarded best vehicle entry.
Honorable mention certificates will be presented to several other entries, including those by the Miss Del Rio Pageant, the Brown Plaza Association, the Casa De La Cultura, the Del Rio High School Dance Company, the Laughlin Air Force Base Youth Center and the Del Rio Middle School Sapphires pom team, at the next Del Rio Chamber of Commerce meeting.
Several entrants from out of town also participated in the parade, including Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Presidente Municipal Emilio de Hoyos, a contingent of city officials from Eagle Pass, the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce and Tribal Chief Thomi Lee Perryman of California, who represented the descendants of the region’s Seminole Black Indian Scouts, riding in the parade in full ceremonial regalia.
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Contact the author at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
Stephany Cavazos waves at the crowds lining South Main Street from the Fancy Fiesta float. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Serving as judges for Saturday’s Fiesta de Amistad International Parade were, from left, Blanca Larson, executive director of the Del Rio Chamber of Commerce; Michelle Gonzalez, curriculum coordinator for the local public school district; and Linda Polanco, a retired school district employee. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Miss Eagle Pass Alexandra Casas rides on the Eagle Pass Queens float in Saturday’s Fiesta de Amistad International Parade. The parade, which also featured a number of other Maverick County queens, won honors for Best Traveling/Out-Of-Town entry in the parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Members of the Queen City Belles perform in front of the parade judges’ reviewing table. The Belles won honors as the parade’s Top Marching Unit. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
The float entered by the Texas Retired Teachers Association won the Exceptional Merit award in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola and his wife Myrella wave as they ride in Saturday’s Fiesta de Amistad International Parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
The 2022 Mr. Amistad Chris Ryan, superintendent of the Amistad National Recreation Area, rides in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Fiesta de Amistad International Parade Marshal Dora Alcalá, former Del Rio mayor, waves at crowds that lined South Main Street to watch Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico Presidente Municipal Emilio de Hoyos participates in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Mexico Consul in Del Rio Paloma Villaseñor Vargas waves to crowds. The consul’s entry was awarded Best Vehicle Entry honors in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
San Felipe Lions Queen Nia Renee Guajardo rides in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Thomi Lee Perryman, descendant of John Horse, who served as a U.S. Army Scout with the Seminole Black Indian Scouts, succeeded the late tribal chief William Warrior of Del Rio. Perryman traveled to Del Rio from his home in California to participate in a powwow here and to ride in Saturday’s parade. He appeared in his people’s ceremonial regalia. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector Jason D. Owens waves to crowds. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
The Fiesta de Amistad International Parade always has plenty of local beauty queens in it like Miss Val Verde Texas Teen Amaris Leon in the 2022 parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Members of the Del Rio High School Mighty Ram Band play a number as they march down South Main Street. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Members of the Luceros Del Bravo band play a lively tune as they ride in Saturday’s Fiesta de Amistad International Parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Isabella Castillo sings with her band in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Miss Del Rio Jaclyn Adams waves as she rides in Saturday’s parade. Adams was crowned during the Miss Del Rio Pageant earlier this month. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Del Rio Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez, who along with Carmen Gutierrez, served as parade co-chairpersons and parade coordinators, rides in Saturday’s parade. Andrew Scarbo is the driver. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
The Chiefs show spirit as they ride in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
Members of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Mounted Patrol ride down South Main Street in Saturday’s parade. (Photo by Karen Gleason)
