EDINBURG — There was dancing in the street, smiles stuck on kids’ faces and laughter in the wind of a sunny Saturday morning here in Edinburg. Everybody loves a parade, after all.
The 54th annual Fiesta Edinburg event kicked off this weekend in jubilant fashion with music and merriment for all who attended. On Saturday, that took the form of the festival’s signature parade which marched down South Closner Boulevard, from Mark S. Pena Drive to Cano Street, early that morning as onlookers gathered to watch the floats and festivities.
Each float was decorated with bright colors such as pink, orange, yellow and blue to fit the festive vibes of the parade. Songs like “La Chona,” “Cancion del Mariachi” and “La Boda del Huitlacoche” could be heard as each float made its way down the street.
People of all ages waved as the floats passed by.
Looks of amazement could be seen on either side of the street as a float with colorful decorations and a donkey-shaped piñata in the center drove down the street.
At one point, city crews who were working at the parade couldn’t help but have a little fun themselves and danced on South Closner, shuffling from side to side and wiggling about not unlike some of the people dancing in the iconic “Twist and Shout” parade scene in the 1980s film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
Alinna Perez, 11, attends the parade with her family every year. This year, they made sure to sit right at the start so they could be one of the first to see the floats.
“It’s fun,” Perez said with a smile, occasionally covering her face with a fan from shyness. “You hear music and I get to say hi to people.”
Crystal Marroquin, 34, of Edinburg attended the parade with her family to support her niece and nephew who participated with their school.
Although she was there to support her family, this was not her first time attending the parade. In fact, she explained that her family enjoys watching the parade every year.
“Just seeing the different floats and the creativity between all of them,” Maroquin explained about what she loves about the parade, adding that the wacky decorations of each float are what makes the procession special.
Stephanie Solis, 35, attends the event every year with her 4-year-old daughter, Dariela, who is always excited to see the floats. She explained that each year she tries to park in the same area to give her daughter the best view of the parade.
“I really like the community involvement, everybody was so excited, “ Solis, who is a teacher in Edinburg, explained, adding that her school held a spirit week leading up to the parade.
She hopes to make attending the parade a new tradition in her family.
“The colors, and the music, and the traditions, you know, like our heritage, I think is something important to showcase and to show off,” Solis said.
Later Saturday, Kyle Park was expected to open at 7:30 p.m. for the Randy Rogers Band, who will hit the stage at 9 p.m. at the Bert Ogden Arena, located at 4900 S. I-69C in Edinburg.
Fiesta Edinburg continues through Sunday at the arena with the Heart of America Carnival capping off a four-day run. The carnival will run from 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday with bracelet prices set at $25.
Attendees are asked to enter the arena through East Alberta Road.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
