Washington's Birthday Celebration

The Washington's Birthday Celebration (WBCA) [1] is an almost month-long event held each February in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas, that celebrates the birthday of George Washington. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with approximately 400,000 attendees annually. The celebration consists of various festivals; a Society of Martha Washington Colonial Pageant and Ball, Princess Pocahontas Pageant and Ball, two parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts, "Fun-Fest" at Laredo Community College, and a citywide prom during which many of the Laredo elite dress in Colonial attire. Each year a prominent Laredo man and woman play the roles of George and Martha Washington. One of its main events, the Jalapeño Festival, has recently been named one of Top 10 eating festivals in the United States.

Washington's Birthday Celebration
GenreRock

Alternative
Spanish Rock

Tejano
DatesAnnually; Mid January to End of February
Location(s)Laredo, Webb County, Texas
Years active1898–present
WebsiteWBCA Homepage
The Washington Birthday Celebration Building on West Hillside in Laredo, the seat of Webb County in south Texas, is loosely designed on the architecture of Mount Vernon.

George Washington never did visit or even know of Laredo, TX.

History

The celebration was first staged in 1898 by the San Antonio-based Improved Order of Red Men, which established the Laredo local chapter called Yaqui Tribe #59. Much earlier, former Laredo Mayor Samuel M. Jarvis (1822-1893), had held a reception at his downtown home in honor of Washington's birthday and had encouraged a larger celebration thereafter, which he never lived to see. Jarvis was a Republican who had earlier fought in the Mexican War under General Zachary Taylor.[2] To the dismay of many in Laredo, George Washington never visited or even knew of Laredo.


That original celebration is considered to have been a phenomenal success. In 1923, the association received its state charter. In 1924, the celebration featured its first Colonial Pageant, with thirteen girls from Laredo, representing the thirteen original colonies. The WBCA has become a Laredo institution, with its history closely tied to the history of the community.

In 1962, the WBA president was Honoré Ligarde, a lawyer-banker who later that year was elected to the Texas House of Representatives for Webb County to succeed Vidal M. Treviño, long-term superintendent of the Laredo Independent School District.[3]

A highlight of the festival is the naming of "Mr. South Texas" an honor for a man or a woman. Among those who have received the designation are governors, U.S. representatives, and state legislator. Two generations of the Killam oil family have also been honored, Oliver Winfield Killam in 1956, Radcliffe Killam in 1978.

The 2013 "Mr. South Texas" is former Texas Comptroller John Spencer Sharp, originally from Victoria County. He is the chancellor of the Texas A&M System.[4]

In August 2014, U.S. Senator John Cornyn was named "Mr. South Texas" for the 118th WBC Celebration in February 2015. WBCA president Veronica Castillon said that Cornyn "loves Laredo, and it shows through his attention and actions ..."[5]

The 2016 celebration began on January 21 with the Commander's Reception at the Laredo Energy Arena. The 28-event festival will extend for thirty-three days through February 22, Washington's traditional birthday. Festival president Dr. Joe Castellano compared the celebration to "the Super Bowl, Miss America, and the Academy Awards all rolled up into one. We truly feel that our border town becomes the center of the universe; all thanks to the teamwork from our enthusiastic members, loyal sponsors, countless volunteers and the community of Laredo."[6]

Jalapeño Festival

Established in 1978 as part of Washington's Birthday Celebration and sponsored by La Costeña the Jalapeño festival includes concerts, the Miss Jalapeño contest, and the La Costeña Jalapeño Eating Contest which determines who can eat the most jalapeños in 15 minutes with the record being 266 according to the official count.[7][8] The contest is separate from the Major League Eating La Costeña Jalapeño Challenges that have been held. 2018 marked the 40th year and had 21,000 people attend, which is above the averages of 13,000 to 14,000 people.[9]

References
  1. Washington's Birthday Celebration Association Home Page
  2. Odie Arambula, "Mayor Jarvis had ideas on celebration", Laredo Morning Times, February 24, 2013, p. 13A
  3. Tom Sanchez (February 16, 1986). "Illness Claims Laredo leader". Laredo Morning Times. pp. 1, 6. Retrieved July 3, 2015.
  4. Mikaela Rodriguez, "Mr. South Texas", Laredo Morning Times, February 24, 2013, p. 1, 12A
  5. "Cornyn is Mr. Southb Texas", Laredo Morning Times, August 5, 2014, p. 3A
  6. "Washington's Birthday Celebration officially begins with Commander's Reception". Laredo Morning Times. January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  7. https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Jalape-o-eating-contest-winner-falls-just-short-12625533.php
  8. http://wbcalaredo.org/home118/events/2015-events/3280-wbca-jalapeno-festival.html
  9. http://www.kgns.tv/content/news/WBCA-revenue-474498273.html

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