Good day to you all! As every week, I do hope you are having a great time here in south Texas. The Rio Grande Valley is a great place to be. I am sure you have found some hidden treasures while making your rounds throughout the Valley – at least I hope so.
Today is the day. Today is the Valley Star Awards. This is a chance to see six great Wintertainers™ perform in one place. And the bonus is, you get to find out who the winners are before the rest of our readers.
The McAllen Wind Ensemble invites the Rio Grande Valley community to experience an electrifying evening of music with British Invasion – on Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
A dynamic and bold exploration of the piñata tradition is coming to McAllen this February. The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) presents Piñatabstract, a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Josué Rawmirez, running from February 14 through July 26. The exhibit offers a unique presentation of the piñata through craft, performance, and new media, transforming a beloved cultural icon into innovative works of art.
Read more: IMAS presents a celebration of the piñata tradition
The 33rd Golden Anniversary Celebration was held on Sunday, February 1, at Tropic Star RV Resort in Pharr. This celebration began in 1993, and adding this year’s 10 couples, Tropic Star has honored 647 couples.
At Winterhaven Resort there was a party held to beat all parties On Monday, February 2, 185 people attended this party in festive patriotic clothing and costumes, ate potluck food, danced to Winterhaven’s own Jammers and had more fun than two barrels of monkeys.
On Tuesday, January 27, 108 Kansans from all over the Rio Grande Valley met for lunch to commemorate the anniversary of the state’s January 29, 1861, admission to the Union. It was so great that 43 Kansans joined the group for the first time.
They’ve been busy at La Floresta RV & Golf Resort near Mercedes in the month of January.
Pat Yoder was thrilled to share about the attendance for the annual RGV Line Dance Bash held at Tropic Star last month. Attendance has more than doubled since the first event in 2023. She went on to say that they are so grateful for the incredible support from the RGV community.
Twenty-five tables were decorated in different themes at the Main Hall at Fun N Sun last week as the Rio Grande Valley Red Hat Queen Council held their Festival of Tables. It was a day filled with seeing old friends and making new ones. It was a sea of red hats and purple regalia – although there was one younger pink hatter in the crowd.
South Texas Health System (STHS) Heart officially opened on January 15, 1996, as one of the earliest freestanding cardiovascular facilities in the United States and the first dedicated heart hospital in Texas.
Leslie Blasing Productions present her “Honoring an Era” at the WinterFest and Expo to be held Monday, February 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be held at the South Padre Island Convention Center.
Read more: Blasing invites you out to her last WinterFest honoring veterans
By Herb Moering
For older Winter Texans the big band jams are a trip down memory lane with music for listening and dancing for some.
About 50 residents and visitors were on hand for a performance at Trail’s End MH and RV Park in Weslaco on a recent Saturday afternoon, which is one of three venues visited by the only big band in the Valley. The group of guys and gals also play from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays at Mission Bell-Trade Winds RV Resort and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays at nearby Valley View Estates in Mission.
The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTHistory) welcomes ArnieTex, one of the Valley’s own BBQ voices, for a live Saturday Speaker Series talk, Q&A, and book signing on February 7, beginning at 10 a.m. The program pulls back the curtain on the real work behind great barbecue, from fire management and timing to seasoning and the small details that separate decent from unforgettable.
Quinta Mazatlán will host the first official unveiling of “Wild Women for Good: Stories of Conservation in Texas” during a special Thursday Night Live event on February 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will bring together some of the most influential women in Texas conservation for a live panel discussion, music, wine, and conversation among friends.
The Winter Outdoor Wildlife Expo returns to the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary on February 5 through 7, for its 30th year showcasing the natural treasures of South Texas and the Lower Laguna Madre. There is an admission fee.
On January 17th, the City of McAllen gathered at the Veterans War Memorial of Texas for a special dedication ceremony hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Popular male vocalist and social media personality Chris Ruggiero will be performing his hit show “Teenage Dreams & Magic Moments” live in concert at Christian Fellowship Church, 901 N. Loop 499, Harlingen, on Tuesday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Read more: Internationally acclaimed male vocalist to perform
The 15th Annual Valley Star Awards will be held at Mission Bell Resort on Wednesday, February 11. The show will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. with an intermission. Mission Bell will have lunch available for attendees for a small price before the show at 12 p.m. or just get there early to have a seat up front. They will also provide drinks and snacks during intermission for a small fee.
Read more: 15th Annual Valley Star Awards is February 11 (2)
The Buck Hollow Band, 2025 Duet Musical Group of the Year, will grace our stage at this year’s Valley Star Awards. Being winners in 2025, they were also nominated in 2024 and again this year. They were also inducted into the Midwest All-Music Association Hall of Fame in 2024. The duo is John and Teresa Condon. They play country and rock classics for various occasions including town celebrations, weddings, anniversaries, local wineries and bars.
