Festivals: Big Benefits for Kids Why it is

FESTIVALS

Big Benefits for Kids

By Veronica Castillon Executive Director of Communications Laredo ISD

Texas is a big state with 268,5977 square miles and a diverse 29.1 million residents. With a unique blend of people and contrasting geographical regions, Texas is home to many annual festivals offering several opportunities for school children to participate in parades, pageants, concerts and competitions.

My family’s photo albums are filled with snapshots of my sisters and me marching in our annual Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo as a tribute to our nation’s first president. The city is festooned in red, white and blue for the month-long celebration that draws hundreds of visitors from throughout the state and northern Mexico.

I remember twirling my baton in the Buccaneer Days Parade in Corpus Christi and dancing my way down Broadway Street in San Antonio during their Fiesta Flambeau Parade. I’ve also enjoyed plenty of German food and polkas at the Wurstfest in New Braunfels. What fun we’ve had seeing how people in other communities gathered with so much enthusiasm and excitement!

Community festivals provide a prominent stage for our youngsters to shine and show off their beaming smiles, marching skills, musical talents, dancing abilities and so much more. Hours of practice and rehearsals result in applause from an appreciative audience while students learn discipline, responsibility and leadership skills.

With nearly 30 years of experience in music education, Bobby Castro is the band director at Martin High School, the oldest high school in Laredo, Texas. The MHS Band is one of the most popular entries in the city’s annual Washington’s Birthday parade with decades of proud alumni standing up to clap along as the musicians play the school’s fight song. “The Tiger Band has enjoyed a long tradition of marching in the parade,” Castro said. “We are always ready to perform. We believe that the more the students play, the more they learn about the history of their hometown. Their sense of belonging increases and we take pride in instilling this in our students.”

Festivals also provide avenues for fundraising and accumulating community service hours. High school students contribute their time and talents building and decorating colorful floats for the parade. Some festival organizers sign up teens to keep fairgrounds clean, take tickets at the gate and sell souvenirs. I’ve seen school Booster Clubs selling choice seats along parade routes while kids sold snacks and chilled bottled water. ROTC cadets are signed up to serve as ushers, color guards and, of course, display their military drill proficiencies. Many non-profit organizations use these events to raise funds for scholarships. In San Antonio, candidates for El Rey Feo raise funds, and whoever raises the most money is declared next year’s Rey Feo. Each candidate must raise a minimum of $250,000 to qualify for the title. More than 60 high schools participate in the scholarships annually, and most of the actual recipients are first-generation college-bound students from low-income, single-parent homes. Boys and girls will treasure these memories and remember the significance of the occasion. More importantly, festivals and annual celebrations help children learn traditions and cultural beliefs and develop respect and understanding for each other’s customs. Fall 2021 | www.TSPRA.org 37