DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about the Texas Citrus Fiesta, right here in Hidalgo County. Now settle in, because this one starts with a man and a plan — and it ends with two weeks of pure Rio Grande Valley glory. Back in the 1920s, a citrus grower and local developer by the name of John H.
Shary started cooking up plans to promote locally grown citrus crops on a large scale. Not a small dream, mind you. Large scale.
The man was thinking big when big took some nerve. Well, his vision took shape in 1932, when the first Texas Citrus Fiesta was held, under the theme — and I want you to hear this — 'Coronation and Pageant of Citrus.' Now that right there tells you everything about the spirit of this thing. They weren't just selling fruit.
They were crowning it. That first celebration was a one-day affair, and they packed it wall to wall. A coronation ceremony for Fiesta royalty.
Citrus exhibits. Fruit packing contests. A flying circus — yes, a flying circus.
A football game. And a parade. All in one day.
Two years later, that one day had turned into four, held out at Lions Park, and something new walked through the gate — the fiesta style show. Once that door opened, it never closed. Over the years the Fiesta kept growing, stretching into a two-week event, gathering up an outdoor festival, barbeques, a carnival.
But the crown jewel — if you'll pardon the coronation phrasing — became the product costume style show, where every costume is made from local agricultural products. That one has earned itself a reputation as one of the most popular annual events of the whole celebration. Many prominent citizens have served as Fiesta royalty over the years.
The Texas Citrus Fiesta has grown into a notable cultural event in the Rio Grande Valley — something that belongs to the whole region now. But here's the thing that lands like the last note of a good song: the purpose of this annual event has never wandered from the original vision. Still the same purpose John H.
Shary set out with in the 1920s — to promote the area's citrus industry on a large scale. Some visions just have roots deep enough to hold.
What the marker says
In the 1920s John H. Shary, citrus grower and local developer, began plans to promote locally grown citrus crops on a large scale. The first Texas Citrus Fiesta, with the theme "Coronation and Pageant of Citrus" was held in 1932 with the same promotional purpose. Among the events in the one-day celebration were a coronation ceremony for Fiesta royalty, citrus exhibits, fruit packing contests, a flying circus, a football game, and a parade. Two years later the Fiesta was a four-day event held in Lions Park, and the fiesta style show was introduced. Over the years the Fiesta has grown into a two-week event, with added events such as an outdoor festival, barbeques, and a carnival. The product costume style show, for which costumes are made from local agricultural products, has become one of the most popular annual events. The Texas Citrus Fiesta has evolved into a notable cultural event in the Rio Grande Valley. Many prominent citizens have served as Fiesta royalty over the years. The purpose of the annual event has remained that of John H. Shary's vision-to promote the area's citrus industry on a large scale. (1989)