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.
Wearing her red antebellum style gown with her official Texas Citrus Fiesta sash, Karina Cedillo, 16, Duchess of Rudy Red, settles in the back of her vehicle before the start of the 91st annual Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Mellinda Veloz, 16, takes a selfie to memorialize her reign as Duchess of Wildflowers during the 91st annual Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Colorful citrus slices are used to decorate a float during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Over 2,000 citrus fruits were used to decorate the city of Peñitas’s float during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Spectators line Conway Avenue to watch the Parade of Oranges in all its glory on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Participants dressed as clowns speak to spectators along Conway Avenue during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Ruby red grapefruits were stapled together to decorate a float during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])A Citrus Fiesta duchess hurries as she carries her dress, which usually weighs anywhere from 7 to 15 pounds, during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Scouts BSA Pack 83 and Troop 83 of Mission put the finishing touches on their float decorated with citrus fruit at the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Sophia Cavazos, 16, who was crowned Duchess of Rio Red Grapefruit, uses her phone prior to the start of the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Ellie Marie Saenz, 15, who was crowned Duchess of Bluebonnet during the fiesta’s Queen Citrianna pageant, adjusts her antebellum style dress before the start of the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Juliliette Trevino, 15, who was crowned Duchess of Retama, waves to students from Enrique Camarena Elementary School from La Joya, during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])Framed by several paper mache oranges and grapefruits, Ninel Lopez, 16, who was crowned Duchess of Mandarin Orange, adjusts her white gloves during the Parade of Oranges on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023, in Mission. (Delcia Lopez | [email protected])
