Royal trumpeters will herald in the 75th Annual Texas Citrus Fiesta to summon loyal subjects of the realm for the official crowning of King Citrus and Queen Citrianna as they begin their reign.  The Royal Court in their finest regalia will be presented to their loyal subjects on Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Neuhaus Gym at Mission High School beginning promptly at 7 p.m.

The arrival of the new king comes with much anticipation.  As his predecessors before him, his identity remains a closely guarded secret until this day.  King Citrus 74th Don Longwell will confer the kingdom upon the new monarch as he crowns him and presents him with the royal scepter. Each King Citrus is chosen from among the leaders in the Rio Grande Valley’s citrus industry by the Kings who have been crowned before.

His first regal duty will be the coronation of this year’s Queen Citrianna and Princess Anna. Following this official act, duchesses from across the land will be introduced to the Royal Court in their colorful gowns representing the bounteous blessings their communities offer. Each city selects a Valley flower, fruit, vegetable or plant that best represents their area. The product then determines the color of the gown, skillfully created by local artisans of fine apparel, creating a rainbow of color across the stage. Each young lady puts her best foot forward, hoping to be chosen as a member of next year’s Royal Court—or most importantly—to be chosen as the next year’s Queen Citrianna. Skillful representation of their community’s product in the design of the gown is part of the judging criteria.

Travelling visitors—Winter Texans and other distinguished guests—are extended a special invitation, to join with the loyal subjects of the land on this most auspicious of occasions, for an evening of awe and entertainment.

No court jesters are needed for the evening’s merriment. The loyal subjects are annually entertained by the antics of the realm’s six-year-old princesses of the Tangerine Court and the boys who serve as trainbearers and crown bearers to the Royal Court and as pages for the Duchesses. Their fidgets often steal the show.

Reserved seating is $10, and general seating is $5. Tickets may be purchased at the Texas Citrus Fiesta office at 220 E. 9th Street, Mission.

In addition to the Royal Coronation, the Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges and Fiesta Fun Fair will be held Saturday, Jan. 28. The Fun Fair begins at 10 a.m. and continues until 10 p.m. offering live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, the Vaquero Cookoff and their rustic campsites, the Citrus Youth Show and the Shoe Box Float Competition exhibit. It all takes place in downtown Mission at the Leo Pena Placita Park, the Mission Chamber of Commerce and the Mission Market Square. Admission is free.

The Parade of Oranges starts at 4 p.m., with line-up starting at 2 p.m. along Conway Ave. The parade will travel on Conway, north to south, from FM 495 (Griffin Pkwy.) to 4th Street.

A special tribute to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will be held at 6 p.m. at Leo Pena Placita.

Exhibits celebrating the Texas Citrus Fiesta and Texas Citrus are currently on display at the Speer Memorial Library, 801 E. 12th Street, Mission, and at the Mission Historical Museum, 900 Doherty.

The Texas Citrus Fiesta had its beginning in 1932 with a one-day celebration where John H. Shary, who is known as the Father of the Texas Citrus Industry, worked with other local growers to create an event that would call attention to the growing citrus production in the Rio Grande Valley. With the exception of 1933 when a hurricane destroyed most of the citrus, and during the war years in the 1940s, there has been a Texas Citrus Fiesta celebration each year since.