Festive Day

LOS FRESNOS — Festivities around the 29th annual Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo continued yesterday morning as people lined up their folding chairs, pickup truck beds and strollers to take in the parade along Arroyo Boulevard.

Dance teams boot-scooted to country tunes and shimmied to Selena’s greatest hits. Bands showed off their musical prowess. Community groups and businesses handed out treats as their brightly decorated floats went by. And, of course, the cowboys strolled through on their horses.

Araceli Alcala of Brownsville said it was the third time she and her family have come to the parade.

Her daughter was performing with the Resaca Middle School group, and this year they brought a family friend along for the experience.

“(It’s) just being together, you’re sitting down and you see other friends coming by,” she said, adding that the parade has grown since the first time she attended. “It’s something different, a nice family environment.”

Los Fresnos resident Josue Atkinson said his family has made attending the parade a tradition for five years. Family members out this year to see his daughter perform with her school’s dance troop.

Atkinson said the parade is not just a time to take in the local culture. It’s a chance to show support for local law enforcement, who participate in the event and provide security for the weekend’s festivities.

“It’s a great time to go out with family,” he said. “It’s a small community, so you see everybody.”

Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo is held in conjunction with the Cameron County Fair and Livestock Show at the rodeo grounds at 500 E. Ocean Blvd. Parking is $5.

Events will continue at noon today, when the arts and crafts market, carnival and Banana Derby open. Rodeo competitions will resume at 3 p.m.

If You Go

Tickets and the event schedule are available at lfrodeo.com.