Charro Days is an annual fiesta celebrated in the city of Brownsville, Texas, during the latter part of February. This festival commemorates the Mexican heritage of the area and bonds both Mexican and American sides of the Rio Grande.

Regardless of the harsh period of economic crisis left by the Mexican Revolution and World War I, border cities such as Brownsville continued growing during the early decades of the twentieth century. In 1937, influenced by the Citrus Fiesta in Mission, Texas, and the opening of the port of Brownsville, Brownsville businessman Kenneth Faxon, known as the “father” of Charro Days, and selected members of the Pan American Round Table directed the local chamber of commerce to coordinate a committee to commemorate a fiesta and pre-Lenten festivity. The event was named Charro Days in honor of the charros, “dashing Mexican gentlemen cowboys.” The first Charro Days celebration was held on February 24–27, 1938.
The Charro Days festival begins with the traditional Mexican grito (celebratory cry) at the Gateway International Bridge and with an exchange of words and gifts by the mayors of both cities. Since the earliest Charro Days fiesta, the celebrations have included as many as four parades complete with floats, a rodeo, mariachi and marimba concerts, and ballet folklorico performances by school students. Two principal street dances—the Noche Mexicana and the Baile del Sol—are both held in the city of Brownsville. A Charro Days Fiesta organization oversees the extensive program. In the 2010s the celebration spanned a week or more of various events.

First Saturday of Every Month.
Operating year-round, the Jackson St. Market Days is the place to hear live music, enjoy good food prepared on site, antiques, and see locally created artwork and crafts.
On Jackson Street between 4th & Commerce, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sponsored by Downtown Merchants.

The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo is an annual event in Mercedes, Texas.
Volunteers from all walks of life (bankers, lawyers, accountants, farmers, and ranchers) and a dedicated Board of Directors, give endless hours of their time to make the show a success. Without them, it would be impossible to produce the show, as the costs would be excessive. It is estimated that more than $25 million has been paid to FFA and 4-H exhibitors during the years the show has been in existence. The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show has continued to grow each year, and now ranks as one of the top 10 in the state. People from all over Texas eagerly anticipate the event and come to enjoy the many activities, which include a parade, rodeo, carnival rides, competitive livestock events, and the many, many attractions that are scheduled daily.
1000 N Texas Ave.
Mercedes, TX 78570
(956) 565-2456

Lots of vendors- something for everyone!
Shop while listening to live music and you may even win a free door prize drawing!

Most vendors are indoors and our outdoor vendors are under covered space.

Shrimp Cook-Off Goes Curbside ~ The Agency Performs Online
The 27th Annual Shrimp Cook-Off & Seafood Festival announces an exciting new format. Retooled as a five day curbside, culinary crawl, the Shrimp Cook-Off will feature shrimp and seafood fares of participating restaurants during the first week in November.
When: NOVEMBER 3rd – 8th
Schedule
NOVEMBER 3 – 7:
Participating restaurants will prepare cook-off sized shrimp samples. They may also offer seafood samples that can be offered for curbside pickup or dine-in enjoyment. The expansion of the schedule allows ample time to take advantage of the $5 (tax included) sample offerings during the participating restaurant’s open hours. The Cook-off is self-guided and diners can schedule stops at their leisure.
People’s Choice Ballot
The top three professional winners will be determined by the votes of participating diners. Diners will be able to pick up Ballots for People’s Choice at the Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce starting on October 20th. Or ballots can be printed from our online links. Vote for your favorite starting on November 3. Ballots must be turned in at the Port Isabel Chamber office November 3 – 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or before 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th. The top 3 winners will be declared on Sunday, November 8 during a Facebook Premier concert by The Agency. Ballots are restricted to one per diner. Diners must have ordered the Shrimp Cook-Off sample or Seafood sample.
Each ballot will be entered in a drawing for a Grand Prize Gift Basket. The winner will be announced on Sunday, November 8.

In 1932, Paul Ord and the Young Men’s Business League came together to promote and spread word of the world’s sweetest Citrus from Rio Grande Valley. They created the Texas Citrus Fiesta, an annual celebration of a bountiful winter harvest of Grapefruits and Oranges from lush, subtropical Rio Grande Valley.
For the past 82 years, Texas Citrus Fiesta has taken pride in providing unforgettable experiences and memories by promoting values of education, leadership and community. We have hosted and supported hundreds of local, state-wide and national businesses. Our years of experience can provide your company with the comfort of knowing your business is in good hands and being part of the festival means being part of our family here at Texas Citrus Fiesta.

The Texas Onion Fest celebrates the development of the world famous Texas 1015 Onion which was developed in Weslaco. The name of the 1015 onion came from the suggested planting date, October 15. Texas Onion Fest is sponsored by the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce. The festivities include live entertainment on two stages, the exciting Onion Eating Contest, delicious food, commercial booths, kiddie rides, two performances by the Dancing Horses at the Charro Arena, 1015 Market, Car Show, cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Center, and so much more!