J.C. Garza helps student Tabitha Wendorf learn roping Saturday for the Christian Vaquero Kids Day event at the Los Fresnos Rodeo Grounds. (Denise Cathey/The Brownsville Herald)
Families in Los Fresnos got a unique pumpkin patch opportunity Saturday afternoon with the first Christian Vaquero Kids Day event from 12:30-5:30 p.m. at the Los Fresnos Rodeo Grounds.
Part of a partnership between the Table of Los Fresnos, Iglesia Bautista Capernaum, Livingway Family Church and St. Paul Lutheran Church—the event featured a pumpkin patch with a free pumpkin for each family, games, pony rides, a mechanical bull, petting zoo, inflatable amusements, food vendors, worship services and prayer in addition to free rodeo lessons for 200 children ages 8-14.
Table of Los Fresnos Pastor Chad Bresson said the unusual combination of attractions started with Brownsville event promoter Josué Cruz, who was familiar with the church’s outreach programs in the area, and asked if they might hold an event at the rodeo arena for families. Organizers started meeting in March to begin planning the event.
“It sort of mushroomed from there,” Bresson joked.
After a call to Russell Klostermann, who Bresson knew from his work with a Christian cowboy camp in the La Feria and Mercedes area, children who signed up learned some rodeo basics with horsemanship, roping and barrel riding with experienced professionals in the ground’s arena.
In addition to amusements, The Table of Los Fresnos held a closing and opening worship service for attendees, with discussions and music in the arena stands. At the community gathering, Bresson said it was essential to have an element of worship as families come together to spend quality time at the event.
“We want to make sure that kids understand and hear the good news of Jesus,” Bresson said.
“It is a reminder; that people are looking for hope and a good time.”
Shara Gonzalez, who brought her children Emma and Logan, liked that the event featured plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy alongside the pumpkin patch.
Her daughter Emma was particularly caught by the pony ride, while her song Logan liked the bouncy house best.
“It’s family-friendly, with a lot of great people out here and good music for some wholesome family fun for us,” she said.
