Charro Days was born 73 years ago in the hearts of Brownsville boosters who wanted to lift their community’s collective spirits during the Great Depression.

Today, as the city “On the Border, By the Sea” proudly takes its place at our nation’s front door, supporters of Charro Days say the festival’s positive message of international friendship, shared heritage and welcome is more important than ever.

“We celebrate life on the border and the culture and history that we have in common,’’ said Charro Days president John Patriarca. The pressures of modern life may be changing the easy back-and-forth familiarity once enjoyed by the twin cities of Brownsville and Matamoros. But during Charro Days, Patriarca says, “the spirit is still there.”

 The very first Charro Days festival was in February, 1938: An ambitious four days of fireworks, parades, street dances, boat races, a bullfight and a rodeo – on both sides of the international bridge. Soldiers from Fort Brown marched in formation, horse-drawn floats paraded through the streets, and the town’s finest dressed up for the Grand Ball.

The “Grito” – a shout of joy that officially opened the festivities – remains a part of the celebration to this day.

Civic participation, it seemed, was mandatory: The entire town dressed in traditional Mexican costumes, from simple white cotton to the embroidered finery and silver embellishments of the Charro. Men of the town grew beards, and were hauled into “Brush Court” if they dared to be clean-shaven.

Brownsville’s sister city of Matamoros was always a key participant in this bi-national celebration of culture and history. In 1950, the Fiesta Parade crossed the river for the first time to enthusiastic Mexican crowds. International bridges were open during Charro Days, allowing family and friends to reunite for all the festivities.

Charro Days drew national media attention, and during the post-war Big Band era, Xavier Cugat, Desi Arnaz and Jimmy Dorsey were among the big-name bands who played during the festival.

As Charro Days matured, new events were added to keep the fun fresh and alive. The Mr. Amigo presentation, which began in 1964, joined Charro Days in 1967, after Hurricane Beulah disrupted its fall schedule. Mr. Amigo honors a prominent Mexican entertainer, politician or other celebrity who participates in festival events and serves as an ambassador of friendship between the two countries.

Sombrero Fest, which now takes over Washington Park for three days at the height of Charro Days, joined the line-up in 1986. A street party for all, Sombrero Fest includes a jalapeno-eating contest, music and dancers, arts and crafts, cooking competitions and 30 food booths.  Popular rock, country and Tejano entertainers give festival-goers plenty to enjoy.

Today, Fiestas Mexicanos organizes its own version of Charro Days, across the border in Matamoros. All the groups are working to do joint activities, in the true bi-national spirit of the festival.

And each year, more churches, schools and other groups add their own Charro Days celebration to the mix, honoring the shared culture and heritage of this historic region in every corner of the city.

Patriarca has been involved with the celebration since 1987, when he first volunteered to set up for the parades. His reasons for upholding the Charro Days tradition gaze back at him every year from along the Grand Parade route.

“My reason is those two-year-olds dressed up in a Charro or China Poblana costume, whose eyes are just as big as quarters because they see this beautifully decorated car or float, with all the color and pageantry and music. Right next to them is their grandparents, still enjoying it after 71 years. I do it for them.”

Calling Charro Days a “labor of love” for the whole city, Patriarca said it is an event that gives Brownsville its special identity. “It’s THE big event in Brownsville. Let’s make sure we continue it.”

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