First Annual Rio Grande River Tribute to be Celebrated October 18-19th
By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019
After 170 years since their founding as United States-Mexico border sister cities, the City of Eagle Pass, Texas and the City of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and their respective municipal water works systems are hosting the First Annual Rio Grande River Tribute on October 18-19, 2019 to recognize the importance of the Rio Grande River and its vital source of potable water for both communities in the Middle Rio Grande Region, announced Jorge Barrera, General Manager of the City of Eagle Pass Water Works System.
“Water conservation and appreciation is important to all communities, particularly along the unique and fragile Rio Grande River,” said Barrera. “Both the cities of Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico’s livelihood depends on the renewable rich and historical source of potable water emanating from the Rio Grande River. Often, our residents take for granted the water from the Rio Grande, but lack a historical, cultural, and socio-political understanding of the key role the Rio Grande plays for our two communities as well as the United States-Mexico border and its over 6 million residents,” added Barrera. Thus, Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras municipal leaders decided to host an annual tribute of the the Rio Grande River to raise awareness among our citizens concerning the important role the Rio Grande plays in our lives as well as in our potable water source, economy, culture, historical, and socio-political interdependence.
Both cities decided to host the First Annual Rio Grande River Tribute during October 18-19, 2019 in Eagle Pass, Texas featuring historical presentations by noted academic speakers from both the United States and Mexico as well as activities on the Rio Grande to honor and respect its salient role in our communities’ history, present, and future development on the United States-Mexico border.
The First Annual Rio Grande River Tribute kicks-off on Friday, October 18, 2019 with a special historical perspective on the Rio Grande to be presented by Dr. Mario Montano of Colorado College, a native Eagle Passan, and Dr. Otto Schober of Piedras Negras, Coahuila, at 7 P.M. at the Victorian House, located at 475 North Adams Street, Eagle Pass, Texas. Both Drs. Montano and Schober will present a historical perspective of the Rio Grande River to understand and appreciate the importance of this great resource. The event is open to the public.
On Saturday, October 19, 2019, a series of activities will be celebrated and/or held on the Rio Grande River in both Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras. Starting at 8 A.M., a Water Awareness Mile Relay Race will be held at Shelby Park in downtown Eagle Pass on the banks of the Rio Grande River. To register for this Water Awareness Mile Relay, please contact Juan Cuellar at the Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department at (830) 773-4343 or at the Multi-Purpose Center, located at 480 South Adams Street.
If running is not your cup of tea, maybe you want to participate in the Kayak and Canoe Races for individuals aged 13 and up to be held at the Boar Ramp in Shelby Park on the banks of the Rio Grande on Saturday, October 19th, from 8:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. To register for the Kayak and Canoe Races, please contact Jessie Fuentes at (830) 776-3116 or at episcanoekayakteam@gmail.com. You may bring your own canoe or kayak or if you do not own one, you can rent one from episcanoekayakteam at the Shelby Park Boat Ramp.
If golf is your sport or hobby, you can participate in the famous Hole in One Contest that will tee off from the Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico River Plaza to a hole on the banks of the Rio Grande located in Shelby Park and the one closest to the hole will win a prize. To register or for more information about the Hole in One, please contact Juan Cuellar at Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department at (830) 773-4343. This event is on Saturday, October 19th, from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
Another event that will be held on Saturday, October 19th, at 11 A.M. is the International Tug of War at Shelby Park. To register for the International Tug of War, please contact Juan Cuellar at (830) 773-4343.
A Youth Soccer Tournament will also be held on Saturday, October 19th, from 12 Noon to 2 P.M. at Shelby Park. To register your youth soccer team, please contact Juan Cuellar at (830) 773-4343.
A music festival will also be presented to the public free of charge from 12 Noon to 5 P.M. on Saturday, October 19th, at Shelby Park, including Eagle Pass’ own “PIN” Band at from 12 Noon to 2 P.M. and Rainbow DJ from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M.
The highlight of Saturday, October 19th, activities is a special first ever International Rio Grande River Tribute Ceremony to be celebrated in the middle of the Rio Grande on one of the islands with public dignitaries from both Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico starting at 2 P.M. at Shelby Park Boar Ramp.
A full day of activities are planned for Saturday, October 19th, from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass together with food booths, games, mechanical bull game, water slides for the kids, dunking booth, and much more.
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the First Annual Rio Grande River Tribute during October 18-19, 2019. The event is open to the public and is family-oriented. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy all the activities and games while learning about the importance of the Rio Grande River.
To rent a food booth, please contact Juan Cuellar at (830) 773-4343.
For more information, please contact Juan Cuellar at (830) 773-4343.
