Fun and informative programs for all ages. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations required for some programs. All programs will meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters unless otherwise specified. Please call ahead to confirm program schedule and details at (956) 584-9156. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is located on 2800 South Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission, Texas.
This Summer Pharr Community Theater (PCT) will present The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit, a two-act comedy, in English, written by Ray Bradbury, (to be directed by Seres J. Magaña). The story is set in the 1970's in Los Angeles, where four young men pull together their money to buy a wonderful white suit that they believe will bring them better luck, especially in romance.
Join The Valley Land Fund at Quinta Mazatlán on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 6:00 pm for the premier of "Preserving South Texas Wildlands", the latest feature created by local wildlife documentarian, Richard Moore. This documentary details the importance of preserving private lands, with more than 95 percent of remaining wildlands in Texas are in the hands of private landowners.
One man’s inspiring legacy is that of Dr. Steve Bentsen. A small animal vet and a respected nature photographer Bentsen became a landowner in 2002. His goal was to manage his own property and capture images of the flora and fauna that reflected his stewardship.
Read more: Premier of “Preserving South Texas Wildlands” documentary by Richard Moore
The Museum of South Texas History welcomes scholar Mayra Avila to the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Finally, Our Stories: How the Bracero Program Impacted Mexican Women,” at 2 p.m. May 7.
The Bracero Program, which ran between 1942 and 1964, was established between the United States and Mexico to ease the labor shortage during World War II and into the early 1960s. The program not only impacted Mexican workers but the women who were left behind. Many women were forced to take responsibilities outside of the traditional homemaker role in order to make ends meet. It also created a rift among working women and society’s patriarchal expectations for women. This presentation will highlight some of these experiences.
Read more: Sharing experiences of women impacted by Bracero program
The Gladys Porter Zoo invites you to Brew at the Zoo on Saturday, May 13th from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with music until 11 p.m.
Support your local Zoo and quench your thirst by sipping on specially selected premium and craft beer samples and delicious food tastings from amazing chefs and restaurants. Only a few of the top Rio Grande Valley restaurants will be competing in this “feast with the beasts.”
Read more: Brew at the Zoo: Raise your glass for animal conservation
Rising food prices, continued supply chain disruptions and the end of pandemic-related federal emergency support programs are affecting the charitable food system as well as millions of people in America, with nearly 34 million people, including more than 9 million children, facing hunger.
For the 10th straight year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs are launching the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, helping to end food insecurity and provide nourishment to families and individuals across the country.
This weekend's storm left quite a mark on the Rio Grande Valley, with many businesses and households suffering from extended power outages and property damage. Palm Valley Animal Society felt the effects most intensely at our PVAS Trenton Center.
The 80 mph winds left our facility with numerous shattered windows, broken dog kennels, and various other damages to our buildings on the property. We are anticipating repairs up to $30,000, and we need the community's assistance to help fund the repairs to get the facility up and running fully for our animals again.
Read more: PVAS seeks community assistance following storm damages
The Mission Citrus Golf Tournament will take place on Friday, May 5th at the Shary Municipal Golf Course. The day will begin with a registration and breakfast at 7:30 a.m. with Tee-Off at 8:30 a.m.
A majority of proceeds will go towards supporting education for Mission CISD students. The Chamber believes that every child deserves access to a quality education, regardless of their background or financial situation. By participating, you can help make this vision a reality.
Each spring, monarch butterflies migrate north during March and April. On Saturday, April 1st, Quinta Mazatlan will be hosting the 7th annual Monarch Fest presented by H-E-B from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in McAllen, with the Mayors Bug Parade at 11 a.m. in the park.
Fun family activities include live music, dance, vendors, arts & crafts, migration path, scout/youth projects and more. Participate in one of our community created art installations: add your own splash of color to the monarch mural painting and contribute to the butterfly migration installation. The main stage will feature local cultural dances and performers throughout the festival.
Children of all ages will enjoy the Mayors Bug Parade, dress as a pollinator, and walk in the parade. The street parade will be led by the famous McHi Drumline & Color Guard, Butterfly Stilt Walkers and many more entertainers. Quinta is calling all kids, scout, and youth groups to wear orange and/or dress as a pollinator to be part of the old-fashioned walking parade.
By Herb Moering
Neither the early weather threat of rain nor cartel concerns seemed to dampen the enthusiasm of Winter Texans for the 47th Tourist Day 2023 in Nuevo Progreso on March 21. An estimated 8,000 people crossed the border for the annual local merchant’s appreciation day.
Darris and Judy Hable, from Aladdin Villas Subdivision in Mission, reigned as king and queen over Tourist Day. The couple, who spend part of their summers in Minnesota in addition to traveling, had breakfast in the Bridge Authority building before joining the American delegation on a walk to meet a delegation of Mexican officials at the center of the Progreso bridge.
Joining them were Mr. Tourist 2023 USA, Weslaco Mayor David Suarez, and Mr. Tourist 2023 Mexico, the musical group Nortenos De Rio Bravo. It was Rio Bravo, Mexico officials who chose those to be honored as they joined other Mexican officials on the main stage following the brief ceremony and stroll on the bridge.
Programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park continue through the spring. Feeding is ending for some migratory birds, but there is still more hawk migration. The park is starting their spring and summer programs such as kayaking and Dutch oven cooking. As always, the park offers a variety of family activities and programs.
The park holds a Hawk Watch daily from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Hawk Tower. On April 2, at 10 a.m., they will hold their Useful and Edible Plants class.
The Gladys Porter Zoo has implemented a new dynamic pricing model. Zoo admission prices will now vary through July, depending upon the day of the week. This dynamic model is currently used nationwide at various attractions and is intended to encourage visitorship from Monday through Thursday when the attraction is generally less crowded. At the same time, the slightly higher cost to attend the Zoo provides an inflation-based increase in income at the front gate. Since 90 percent of the Zoo’s operating income is derived from admission sales, this adjustment is needed to maintain a world-class facility, purchase nutritious food for the Zoo’s 1,600 inhabitants, and retain top-notch experts by paying competitive wages.
The U.S. Department of State has extended the processing times for U.S. passports again. Now, the routine processing of a passport application is now 10 to 13 weeks, up from eight to 10 weeks. The expeditated processing – for the additional $60 fee – is now seven to nine weeks, up from five to seven weeks.
Recently, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. reminded all interested volunteers to sign up for the 2023 Texas Adopt-A-Beach (AAB) Coastwide Spring Cleanup on Saturday, April 22nd at 23 locations across the Texas coast, from Port Arthur to Boca Chica Beach.
Edinburg Music Fest is seeking vendors and artists to participate at the fourth annual festival on April 15th. This year’s festival will take place at the Edinburg Promenade Park Amphitheater located at 201 W. McIntyre and promises to be a fantastic day filled with music, dance, food, and fun for the whole family.
The Edinburg Music Festival will feature various local bands, carnival rides, folkloric and dance performances, food trucks, crafts, children’s activities, an animal petting zoo/exhibits, and more. This year, Texas Folklife and the Museum of South Texas History will host the annual Big Squeeze, partnering with the City of Edinburg for the annual accordion semifinals competition, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the Edinburg Music Festival concert from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public but VIP tables are available for purchase at edinburgarts.com/viptables.
