FORCES SALUTE: Behind the scenes, float builders toil for citrus fest

In a hall usually reserved for parties and events, a glittering salute to America and her grapefruits took shape last week.

Hidden in the community center off Kika de la Garza Loop, Gilbert Acosta and Bill Filut spent more than 45 hours constructing the Texas Citrus Fiesta's signature float, which will carry the royal court through Saturday's night parade.

This year's effort involves enough shimmering red, white and blue tinsel skirting to make the dresses of the festival's dutchesses, princesses and queen look understated.

The theme this year is "salute to the armed forces."

Acosta has helped with the float for the last four years. "I like to see it go down the street and say, ‘I helped,'" he said as he and Filut showed off their efforts for a few visitors.

Acosta is a handyman; Filut is a building inspector and president of the Fiesta board. Their creation must outlast not only this year's night parade through the streets of Mission, but later journeys past unfamiliar crowds at other Texas regional events like the Poteet Strawberry Festival.

Queens and princesses perched on past floats - which did not have railings to keep their human adornments from tumbling off - have fallen asleep, thrown up over the side and been pelted by Coke and Silly String from paradegoers. By Fiesta next year, this float, too, will be ready to be stripped down and redecorated.

Sara Perkins covers Mission, western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4472.