Fiesta Edinburg organizers expect bigger turnout this year

EDINBURG – Those familiar with Fiesta Edinburg will notice a few changes this year – most notably a larger crowd, organizers hope.

The fiesta, which has been a community celebration for more than 40 years, runs Thursday through Sunday at the Edinburg Municipal Park and will include a wide variety of activities and family fun.

“The main difference from last year is the cost,” said Ronnie Larralde, director of marketing and special events for the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce. “It used to be $10 per car, but this year it is $5 for parking and $5 for adults. There are new acts, and there wasn’t a bike show last year.”

The Heart of America Carnival will kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday and continue throughout Fiesta Edinburg. Between 6 and 10 p.m. Thursday, there will be a special “All You Can Ride” for children. The price is $5.

 The entrance will be on Raul Longoria, on the western side of the park, and is $3 for children 10 and younger. Admission for children ages 4 and younger is free.

But the carnival won’t be the only ride in town. From 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, there will be a Motorcycle Bike Show.

At 6 p.m., Grupo Prohibido and Eddie Perez & Legendz will be performing along with Grupo Avizo featuring Joe Bravo and David Marez.

“We’re doing two stages, so it is full of entertainment,” Edinburg chamber President Letty Gonzalez said. “There is a diversity of music from tejano, to hip-hop and rap.”

The fiesta parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hidalgo County Courthouse. The route then turns south on Closner and ends at the Edinburg Cats Stadium. Also on Saturday, a new Kids Zone will be open from 3 to 8 p.m.

Concerts Saturday will begin at 1:30 p.m. and include Jaime y Los Chamacos and Ricardo Castillon y La Diferencia will be headlining the performances following Dezeo, Frijoles Romanticos and others.

The weekend will wrap up at 10 p.m. Sunday, when the Heart of America Carnival shuts down.

For anyone who gets hungry from all of the festivities, the Fiesta Mercardo Food Court will be open throughout Fiesta Edinburg.

More than 20,000 people attended Fiesta Edinburg last year, but Gonzalez expects a larger turnout this time.

“I do expect more people than last year because of the diversity of entertainment,” Gonzalez said. “There’s something for everyone. Plenty to see, plenty to eat — a family weekend.”

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Elizabeth Palacios is an intern for The Monitor.