Winter Texans receive red carpet treatment in the RGV
Hollywood has nothing on red carpet events compared to what Winter Texans receive as they return to the Valley with open arms awaiting them.
Special dances, potlucks and Winter Texan welcome back parties are just some of the things that await the part-time residents, who mean so much to the Valley, it's economy and everything from tourism to volunteering. While they are here for just a portion of the year, they have built relationships inside and outside of their parks and all throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Read more: Winter Texans receive red carpet treatment in the RGV
The Senior Texan Softball League is hosting the 21st annual Canada versus USA senior softball games on the fields at McAllen Westside Park next week on Thursday, March 12. The park is located at 1000 Ware Road (on the West side of Ware Road, ¼ mile North of Expressway 83). 
Cajun food lovers can feast on all-you-can-eat crawfish and craft beers at the 2020 Ales and Tails Fest on Saturday, March 7 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Victor Park in Harlingen. In addition to the spicy tails and ice-old ales, guests can move to the live sounds of local bands Hot Rodz, Rock Star and Southern Ashes. 
By Herb Moering
South Texas’ largest music, culture and heritage festival, kicks off this weekend at the Hidalgo Borderfest Fairgrounds, located next to the Payne Arena in Hidalgo. Borderfest, the three-day festival, held March 6-8, is packed with entertainment, food, vendors, and parades. Each year, Borderfest picks a theme, a country, a culture to embellish on. This year, the country of choice is Japan. 
The fashionistas of Winter Texans gathered in one place last week to enjoy fashion, food and camaraderie.
We’ve been busy again over here at the Winter Texan Times. We tried to get out as much as possible, but there were places and people we just couldn’t get to. We almost had to place requests in a hat and pick one to go to when we could. You want us out there and we are trying our best to come and see you. Please know that we want to know everyone, but we can’t go to everything. 
President and CEO of the Gorgas Science Foundation, Lawrence “Larry” Lof, will be sharing his expertise and knowledge of the ever-changing Rio Grande River at Quinta Mazatlán’s Nights at the Mansion Speaker Series. Join Lof Thursday, February 27, at 6 p.m. as he presents, “The Rio Grande: Reflections on a Disappearing River.” 
The Upper Valley Art League (UVAL) will host its first annual UVAL Butterfly Art Walk on Saturday, February 29. The event invites participants to find as many of Mission’s sculptured butterflies as one can in a two-hour timeframe. 
By Herb Moering
Latin dance instructor, Solenne Reyna will be sharing her passion for dance at Quinta Mazatlán Thursday, February 13 at 6 p.m. as the presenter for Nights at the Mansion. Solenne will be leading a Valentine’s Salsa Night as she teaches her “Beginners Bachata Class,” for couples and singles alike.
The great, great grandson of Henry Clay Davis, a famous Texas Ranger, will present about his ancestor during the Sunday Speaker Series program, “The Legendary Henry Clay Davis in Early Texas,” at the Museum of South Texas History February 9 at 2 p.m.
For those that visit the Valley regularly, you know how much we talk about Fred Renk and the Santa Maria Bullring. Well, this year is his last year and he will be having one more event on February 16. Look for more about the event in our next issue, but until then, check out Jo Liston’s column On the Road with Jo on Page 35.
