MISSION — Although a cool breeze and cloudy skies passed through Mission on Saturday, reminding some in attendance of the downpour last year that all but drenched the 2022 procession, residents this year would not be denied a good time at the annual Parade of Oranges.
Crowds of people gathered on either side of Conway Avenue in Mission watching in adoration as grapefruits, limes, lemons and oranges adorned floats that made their way down the road.
Children stared in awe as the colorful floats passed by. Many turned to their parents to point to the large pieces of citrus that made their way through town in the procession.
According to Lisa Rivera, executive director of the Texas Citrus Fiesta, the tradition of the parade began in 1932 as a way of celebrating the rich agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley. Now 91 years later, the parade continues to thrive in both attendance and creativity as one of several events that make up the Texas Citrus Fiesta.
“We have a lot more floats this year than we’ve had in the past eight to 10 years,” Rivera said. “… We’re evolving, our floats are a little different but we still maintain that citrus theme. We still maintain the usage of citrus on our floats and all our parade entries.”
Last year’s rainy conditions did not allow the parade to be as elaborate and extravagant; however, this only motivated participants to take advantage of the 2023 edition.
With nearly 200 entries, participants began lining up each float by 10 a.m. for a noon start Saturday.
“Oh it takes a lot,” Rivera said, adding that a parade of this size requires a community effort. “We had a lot of volunteers this year that came through and our board members also came through, but it takes months of planning.”
Saturday morning they saw the fruits of their labor as one by one each float made its way down Conway Avenue.
Kids waved with smiles on their faces as the Mission fire trucks made their way down the road, with children jumping for joy as the parade continued.
Not only does this parade hold an agricultural significance but it also holds community memories as many Mission residents have at one point participated in the parade.
In fact, Rivera explained that two of the volunteers helping this year had previously participated when they were in school and are now encouraging their kids to take part as well.
“It goes from one generation to another,” Rivera said with a smile.
Erica Castillo, 32, of Mission used to attend the event when she was younger but hadn’t returned to the event until Saturday, where her 13-year-old daughter marched in the procession.
“It’s awesome,” Castillo said. “I marched in it when I was in band, so now to see her marching it’s amazing.”
She explained that she was excited to see her daughter, Jade Castillo, march with her school.
Fellow Mission resident Angelica Garcia, 33, attended the circus parade with her family for the first time.
Initially, they wanted to attend the event in previous years, however, due to weather conditions they hadn’t been able to attend. Now, this year they were motivated to see the parade because Garcia’s son and niece would be marching with their schools.
Ellie Marie Saenz, 15, who was crowned Duchess of Bluebonnet during the fiesta’s Queen Citrianna pageant, explained that she was excited to be in the parade after previously participating as the Princess of Lemon Blossom at 6 years old.
“I’m so glad to be back,” Saenz said. “I love the citrus fiesta … I always wanted to be a part of it and once I got the opportunity I immediately took it.”
The fun fair in the Leo Pena Placita Park was also held Saturday and lasted until the evening, culminating Saturday’s festivities after the parade.
The fair will continue from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Delcia Lopez’s full photo gallery here:
