Bentsen-RGV State Park has fun and informative programs for all ages. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations are required for some programs. More programs will be announced soon. All programs will meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters unless otherwise specified.
AUSTIN— On November 3, visitors will get free day-use entry at all Texas State Parks in honor of Texas State Parks Day, a tradition born from 2023's centennial celebration.
“Any day in a Texas State Park is a good day,” said Rodney Franklin, Director of Texas State Parks. “I hope this continued event from our centennial celebration motivates all Texans to explore what the outdoors has to offer. You are invited to visit a park that is new to you, take a friend and try a new adventure.”
Read more: Celebrate Texas State Parks Day with free admission
The Port Isabel Historical Museum will host a special exhibit through December 15. The exhibit is called Ancient Landscapes of South Texas, Hiding in Plain Sight.
Explore 50 million years of natural history and 15,000 years of cultural history of the Rio Grande Valley. From Pleistocene hunters to Spanish rancheros, to the construction of dams, and wind turbines discover how human adaptations were shaped and in turn are shaping the region’s natural history.
Read more: Port Isabel Historical Museum hosts special exhibit
Gladys Porter Zoo staff are inviting the public to come out and meet our newest resident, Ignacio, a seven-year-old ocelot. Iggy, as he is affectionately called, joins a female ocelot that currently resides at the Zoo, Leeloo.
Iggy arrived at the Zoo in early August from the Palm Beach Zoo in Florida. After completing the mandatory quarantine period, he is now slowly being introduced to Leeloo. To ensure a safe and easy transition for both cats, zookeepers are gradually allowing them to get acquainted with one another.
Zookeepers are working hard on acclimating the pair. As of now, the pair are becoming familiar with one another’s scent behind the scenes and taking turns spending time in their shared outdoor habitat. This is an important process that must take place in order to ensure the safety and comfort of both animals.
Renowned for a volume and variety of wild, free-flying butterflies that cannot be found anywhere else in the country, deep south Texas is home of the country’s premier butterfly event. The National Butterfly Center is hosting the 28th Annual Texas Butterfly Festival this weekend. For those that registered early, there will be several days of exploring renowned public lands and private properties with world-class leaders. For those that were not able to register, there is a free community day for visitors on Saturday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The day will feature a native plant sale where if you buy three, you get one free. There will be arts and crafts, you can meet their resident reptiles, make seed bombs, participate in a Monarch migration game, explore the hackberry trail, and there will be plenty of birds and butterflies to be found. The event is held at this time each year because it is peak butterfly season. You can see as many as 60 species in one day during migration – and sometimes catch some rarities.
Attendees to this event typically hail from at least half of the 50 states and multiple countries. They converge at the National Butterfly Center in the Rio Grande Valley to experience one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. Go see for yourself why this region has earned worldwide recognition for its outstanding butterfly and birding spots, inviting thousands of visitors each year to discover its remarkable assortment of preserves, refuges, nature parks, trails, and more.
Whether you are an accomplished naturalist or an enthusiastic beginner, the Texas Butterfly Festival is the place to be. Here, many eyes make for exciting discoveries, including US records, super rarities, subtropical strays, seldom-seen species, ‘life’ and chase butterfliers that may only be found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where the river winds its way toward the Laguna Madre at the Gulf of Mexico.
This unique region encompasses no fewer than 11 different types of habitats, from tidal wetlands to riparian forest, brushland scrub to prairie savanna, and is home to more than 1,200 different species of plants, 500 species of birds, 200 vertebrate species, roughly 300 species of butterflies, and over 90 species of dragonflies.
Nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be seen only in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV), or by traveling to Mexico. More than 300 species of butterflies may be found in the LRGV, and more than 240 species have been seen at the National Butterfly Center, including rarities and US records.
More information can be found at the website www.texasbutterflyfestival.com. The National Butterfly Cetner is located at 3333 Butterfly Park Dr. Or you can call (956) 583-5400. The National Butterfly Center is part of the National American Butterfly Association. You can find out more at naba.org.
If you can’t make it to community day, the center has plenty of opportunities for volunteering throughout the year, trails, classes, and a gift shop.
The Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas invites you to their 54th Annual Dakee Si (Fall Gathering) Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas Powwow on Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Alton Recreation Center, 349 Dawes Ave. in Alton. Dancing and presentations will be held throughout the day. The event is free.
Visit the event to celebrate and experience American Indian culture, history, drumming, singing, and dancing. Vendors will be selling Native food, art, crafts, jewelry, supplies, and wares. There will also be raffles and cake walks. There is something for everyone.
Gourd Dancing will be held at 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A Grand Entry will be done at 1 and 7 p.m. At the grand opening ceremonies, dancers will follow the guard into the arena dressed in beautiful regalia. An intermission will be held at 4:30 p.m.
The first 55 dancers who register for session one or session two Grand Entry will be eligible for day money. Participants must be in full outfit and dance in the circle for the complete session (three hours).
Head staff includes Head Man Dancer CJ Hinojosa (Lipan Apache), Head Lady Dancer Angelica Hinojosa (Choctaw/Seminole), Head Gourd Dancer Mike Gutierrez, Master of Ceremonies Bob Woolery (Chickasaw/Cherokee), and Arena Director Reynaldo Leal III (Lipan Apache). The event also features the southern host drum group Huisache Creek Singers led by Ruben Soto and invited drum group Texas Connection led by Eloy Solis.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Robert Soto at (956) 648-8129, robtsoto@aol.com, or Debbie Robertson at (956) 780-4933, debs3573@gmail.com.
You can also find information at www.sontree.org, www.lipanapache.org, and on Facebook Konitsaa Nde Native Community.
Event organizers would like to thank their sponsors for this year – City of Alton, Lipan Apache of Texas, Son Tree Native Path, Konitsaa Nde Native Community, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Trinity on the Border, and McAllen Grace Brethren Church.
Hello out there! I hope everyone is having a great time. It’s our second issue this season, and we are seeing so many events taking place. Parks are getting busy, cities are having their annual fall festivals, and entertainers are entertaining. It means there is quite an abundance of activities for you to participate in – and I hope you are taking those opportunities.
Our Valley cities love seeing you and we know you love the people in the Valley. That’s just one of the things that keeps you coming back year after year.
In fact, a recent LuvLink survey has 18 Texas cities that made the top 150 cities voted as home to America’s kindest and most helpful locals. Brownsville (#32) and McAllen (#68) were two of those 18 Texas cities. (https://www.luvlink.com/blogs/news/top-150-kindest-places-in-america-of-2024)
About Brownsville, the survey says, “Brownsville’s residents bring a unique blend of Texas warmth and rich cultural pride, influenced by the city’s border-town heritage. Locals often engage visitors in conversation about the city’s vibrant festivals or its proximity to natural wonders like the Rio Grande.”
And of McAllen, it says, “McAllen’s residents are known for their vibrant mix of cultures, offering visitors a taste of true Tex-Mex hospitality. Whether guiding you through a local festival or recommending authentic cuisine, locals go out of their way to ensure travelers feel the warmth of this border town’s unique heritage. Their lively spirit and openness are key to McAllen’s charm.”
It just confirms why our winter visitors, you, and others, enjoy visiting the Valley and calling it your winter home – and why we call you family, and you have enveloped the endearing nickname, Winter Texan.
We love having you here. It’s always a pleasure to see you return. It keeps us busy, and we are so thankful for that. We appreciate you and everything you bring to the Valley, to our residents, and to the parks where you reside.
While here, we hope to keep you informed with the news that matters to you, sharing events that might interest you, and publishing stories that you care about.
If there is something you think we should know about, someone you think we should know, share it with us. Send us an email to news@wintertexantimes.com. We love hearing from you, seeing photos of what you are doing, and catching up on the activities you are participating in. Share your news with us, and we just might share it with the rest of our readers.
The wait is over! New season tickets for the upcoming Valley Symphony Orchestra 2024-25 Masterworks Concerts are now available. As a new season ticket holder, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits such as 15% savings on each ticket, no processing fees (up to $20 of additional savings per ticket), priority seating, and early access to events. And if you’re renewing your season tickets, we’re holding on to your seats, but don’t wait too long!
The upcoming season promises an extraordinary lineup. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 wears the crown for the season premiere at Music of the Greats on November 1. It will also feature Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro Overture, K. 492 and Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto with Juan Pablo Andrade as the piano soloist.
Read more: Secure your seats for a season of unforgettable music
The City of Edinburg’s Cultural Arts Department is excited to present "Los Muertos Bailan," a lively and free Día de los Muertos celebration, taking place on October 26 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. This vibrant event, which spans from Edinburg City Hall to the Museum of South Texas History, offers a night of color, culture, and community as Edinburg honors the lives of loved ones through art, music, and dance.
Read more: Edinburg invites community to celebrate “Los Muertos Bailan”
The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) is thrilled to introduce IMAS After Dark, an exciting new program designed to offer adults a fresh way to enjoy the museum. With themed evening events throughout the year, this series provides an exclusive opportunity for adults (21+) to explore the museum’s engaging art and science exhibits in a lively atmosphere. Each night features complimentary beverages, interactive activities, and social experiences that bring a whole new vibe to the IMAS.
Kick off the IMAS After Dark series with a spooky twist at Fright Night, an adults-only Halloween celebration like no other on Thursday, October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. Don your best costume and immerse yourself in the museum’s unique blend of art and science as you explore the interactive exhibits in The Studio, dance the night away near the larger-than-live murals by Conquista in Rompiendo el cielo, and gaze upon Nour Kuri’s sculptures and more in a hauntingly fun atmosphere. Sip on complimentary beverages, and let the ghostly ambiance bring out your playful side. Whether you're a Halloween enthusiast or just looking for a memorable night out, Fright Night promises to deliver chills, thrills, and a whole lot of fun like no other venue in town.
