Harlingen's turning 100!
Mark your calendar NOW for dozens of free, family events celebrating this historic occasion, April 15 -18, 2010.
The birthday bash begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 15, as a historic Union Pacific Steam Train arrives at the City's new Centennial Park (Jackson & the railroad tracks).
The Valley Eagle will remain downtown until 3 p.m., for the public to photograph Steam Engine #844 and tour some of the special railcars from UP's Heritage Fleet.
Also at Centennial Park on April 15, at 10:15 a.m., the City of Harlingen, along with the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce and Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will hold a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for The History of Mexico and Mankind mural, which Harlingen acquired from a museum in Los Angeles in 2000.
The spectacular, 905-piece ceramic tile mural, created by Raúl Esparza Sanchez of Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico, is being installed at this location.
And, while you're in the neighborhood, stop by Capital One Bank at 221 E. Van Buren (Harlingen's historic Post Office building), for a special Centennial postmark hand-cancellation and birthday cake, April 15th between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Envelopes will be provided; $.44 stamps will be on sale, or bring your own.)
There will also be a Tribute to Old-timers at 11 a.m., birthday cake, plus plenty of Harlingen Heritage Trail and Mural Guides for those who want to take self-guided walking tours of downtown.
The festivities continue at the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium that evening, as the Rotary Club of Harlingen unveils its Centennial project at 5:30 p.m.
The new Harlingen Walk of Fame honors 100 Harlingen residents, past and present, selected by the Rotarians in recognition of their contributions to the community.
Other events at the Auditorium that evening include music by The Harlingen Community Band, the opening of the Time Capsule buried at City Hall during Harlingen's Golden Jubilee in 1960, and dancers and artisans from San Luis Potosi, including the Ballet Folklórico Xochiquetzal.
On Friday night, April 16th, Grupo CONTROL, the Kings of Cumbia, take center stage at Fair Park for a free outdoor concert, with the popular Yessica opening the show at 7 p.m.
Their special blend of Tejano and norteño music promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend festivities.
Come early and enjoy a free performance by Harlingen's famed Gloria G. Canales Folkloric Dancers, inside the Municipal Auditorium at 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 17th, begins with a Centennial Children's Parade down Jackson, from 4th to "A" Street, organized by the Harlingen Jaycees.
A Free Family Day at Fair Park from 12 noon to 9 p.m. will feature local Rock, Blues, and Tejano favorites including Jessie Serrata, Azido, Last Page, The Young Maths, The Cruisers, and Veronica Flores y Karizma. Food vendors, inflatables, face painting, and games will make this a great day of good old-fashioned fun, ending with an explosive fireworks display at 9 p.m.
On Sunday, April 18th, there will be Blessings, Invocations and Praise Bands from 1 - 4 p.m. at McKelvey Park, as a nondenominational spiritual celebration concludes the weekend's festivities. (Bring your own lawn chairs or blanket.)
Many other Centennial events occur before, during, and after this big birthday weekend, including a Centennial Tribute to Veterans at Pendleton Park on Saturday, April 10th, and a Street Dance on Downtown Jackson on Saturday, April 24th.
All City-sponsored events are free and open to the public. A few ancillary events, such as a Mexican Film Festival at the Rialto (April 16 & 18) and a Jazz Festival at the Auditorium (April 17) have modest admission fees.
For more information, visit www.myharlingen.us
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