By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s 2024 Fiesta de Amistad celebrations began on Friday with the kick-off ceremony at
the Ramada Inn.
The annual Fiesta de Amistad celebrations take place in October and honor the friendship
between Del Rio and its sister city, Ciudad Acuña, Coah., Mexico.
The kick-off ceremony invited
community members and leaders to hear about the list of events and meet 2024’s Mr. and Mrs.
Amistad.
The majority of the Fiesta de Amistad celebrations are put together by the International Good
Neighbor Council (IGNC) of Del Rio, including the kick-off ceremony.
The ceremony was hosted by the Mistress of Ceremony, Michelle Gonzalez, who started the
event by introducing former IGNC president David Scarbo for an invocation.
Andrew Scarbo, the current IGNC president, was the next to speak. Scarbo talked about the
history and significance of the Fiesta de Amistad events, including the purpose of Friday’s
ceremony.
Andrew said the Fiesta celebrations have been going on for 64 years. He also said it is an honor
for him to be part of the legacy of Fiesta de Amistad, adding it is a tradition “that will go on,
forever and ever.”
Scarbo then talked about the list of events happening in October, and he also revealed this
year’s Fiesta de Amistad magazine.
The magazine showcased Andrea Padilla as Miss Del Rio 2024-2025. Scarbo said the Miss Del
Rio Pageant is still part of the Fiesta activities, but now takes place in January. He mentioned
the choice to have the pageant in January was to give the pageant winners more chances to be
part of the Fiesta events during the year.
Mayor Al Arreola was in attendance and introduced the 2024 Fiesta de Amistad proclamation.
He applauded the IGNC members for their volunteer work and for putting the events together
every year.
“All these members are volunteers. They are doing this because they love our city, and they
participate in every event in our community, and to me, that stands out above everything else,”
Arreola said.
Former Mayor Dora Alcala talked about winners of the IGNC’s Student Art Contest. Del Rio
High School students were able to submit hand-drawn art celebrating the themes of “good
neighbors” and the relationship between Del Rio and Ciudad Acuña.
The submitted art will be auctioned at the Wine & Cheese Reception event on Feb. 14.
Mary Mota, vice president for IGNC, spoke next and introduced Little Mr. Amistad Liam Cruz
Briones and Little Miss Amistad Analis Briones. She then introduced Mr. Amistad, County
Commissioner Pct. 2. Juan Carlos Vazquez and Mrs. Amistad, local businesswoman Diana
Stern.
Paloma Villaseñor Vargas, Consul of Mexico in Del Rio, was also in attendance and mentioned
she will be crowned Mrs. Amistad for Ciudad Acuña later in the month.
The final part of the event was the introduction of 2024’s Amistad Parade Marshal: Claudia
Lopez Cruz, who was presented by Councilwoman Ernestina “Tina” Martinez, secretary for
IGNC.
