July 13, 2008 - 12:15 AM
By EDWINA P. GARZA / Valley Morning Star    Resaca Fest a major success;
San Benito now plans encore

SAN BENITO - Organizers still can't wipe the grins off their faces days after the city's first community festival.  They estimate that more than 5,000 people attended Resaca Fest, despite the newness of the event and the threat of rain.  Resaca Fest, held on the Fourth of July, brought crowds from San Benito, Harlingen, Los Fresnos and Brownsville. By 9 p.m., both sides of the resaca were full with spectators watching the fireworks, Oscar Medrano, event chairman, said.  "There was nowhere to sit," he said.  With $10,000 from sponsors, the event, assisted by the San Benito Chamber of Commerce, was more successful than expected, officials said.Velma De Los Santos, the chamber's chairwoman, said the event brought more community support than seen at regular city events.  There were 29 food booths along the resaca, more than the Christmas Bazaar, De Los Santos said. And the market section of Resaca Fest had 40 booths, while the monthly San Benito Market Days sees about 30 vendors.  "People stopped by after they heard the music and saw the crowds," De Los Santos said.  "It was such a good feeling," Medrano said. "We worked so hard to make this event possible."  Organization for Resaca Fest began immediately after the city's Fourth of July festivities in 2007. A committee met monthly at the Municipal Building for planning.  On Wednesday, the committee will meet to start brainstorming for next year.  De Los Santos, who also performed as a singer at the event, said some people were discouraged by rain and the cancellation of a morning flag- raising ceremony. But as the day passed, the weather cleared up and vehicles started streaming in, lining Business 77 and side streets for blocks around.  "It was a great success," De Los Santos said. "I'm excited about next year."  To keep the event family- and wallet-friendly, both De Los Santos and Medrano said the committee might consider charges for the event in the future.  "We don't want it to get out of hand," De Los Santos explained, but said the committee needs money to pay for rental equipment.  Medrano said he hopes to keep the event affordable for families.  In the end, teamwork is what made Resaca Fest successful, Medrano said.  "I really want to thank the volunteers, the city, the chamber and our sponsors and vendors," Medrano said. "We look forward to working with them next year."

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Resacafest . . . .
Celebrating the Spirit of America !
July 03, 2010 9:22 PM
By MICHAEL BARAJAS/Valley Morning Star
  ResacaFest in San Benito adds to Fourth celebrations

SAN BENITO — With an American flag as a blindfold, 6-year-old Michael Banda waved a giant stick in the air, aiming for the red, white and blue piñata swinging from the nearby tree. He and the other children eagerly awaited that final blow that would break the piñata and send candy pouring to the ground.  Hundreds of families gathered in Heavin Park Saturday to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend on the banks of the resaca, complete with food, games and classic rock for everyone to enjoy.  Despite the earlier threat of severe weather from Hurricane Alex, organizers decided to continue with the city’s third annual ResacaFest that had been scheduled for all day Saturday. Organizers estimated that in previous years, as many as 5,000 people have turned out for the event.  “Every year, this is a good time for friends and family to get together and celebrate the spirit of America,” said Norma Boland, who helped run the piñata area. The idea, she said, is to give the city some “good, old-fashioned American fun.”  Sonia De La Cruz, a volunteer at the drink stations, said ResacaFest has been a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July for the past three years. “When I heard it wasn’t canceled, I was so excited,” she said.  De La Cruz’s favorite part of the event is the “good oldies music” and, of course, all the great food.  Nearby, listening to San Benito band “B-4” play classics like “Hang on Sloopy” and “My Girl,” Sandra Silva laughed and danced with her 1-year-old, Nathaniel Banda. Four local bands were scheduled to play throughout the day Saturday, along with two sets from Corpus Christ comedian “Happy.”  Fireworks were scheduled for later in the evening.



July 01, 2009 9:59 PM
By COREY RYAN/Valley Morning Star 
  Harlingen, San Benito plan Fourth of July events

Parade, chomp, bike, groove, boom.  Harlingen and San Benito have several events slated for Saturday's Fourth of July celebration.  Harlingen's festivities begin with a 10 a.m. parade organized by the Harlingen Jaycees. The parade will proceed west on Jackson Avenue from Fourth Street to E Street.  Then, the Harlingen Family Fiesta will commence at Gutierrez Park featuring music by The Cruisers from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free Blue Bell ice cream, free watermelon, face painting and a watermelon seed-splitting contest.  For more information contact Cheryl LaBerge, downtown manager, at 956-216-4910.  The city of San Benito will start its second annual ResacaFest at 8 a.m. with a ceremonial flag raising at W.H. Heavin Memorial Park.  ResacaFest will include country and Tejano music, a mini-market, food from 25 vendors, a classic and custom car show, rides, face painting, puppet shows, obstacle races and a bike race.  For more information contact chairman Oscar Medrano at 956-551-1355.  Both Harlingen and San Benito will be launching fireworks after dusk. Harlingen will set off its display at Harlingen Field at 9 p.m.; San Benito's display should start around 9 p.m. at Heavin Park.  The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings will sponsor live music at Harlingen Field from 5 p.m. until the end of the fireworks' display.  Persons or organizations wishing to enter the Harlingen parade can pick up an entry form at City Hall, Harlingen Downtown Office, Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce, the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber or download the form at www.downtownharlingen.com. Entries will be accepted until 9 a.m. Saturday.  Cyclists who wish to enter the San Benito ResacaFest Bike Race/Tour can pre-register Friday between 5 and 7 p.m. at W.H. Heavin Amphitheater. Registration is $35 for the 62.3-mile race. Participants can also register Saturday morning at the amphitheater.  Staggered start times begin at 7:45 a.m. for men and 7:50 a.m. for women. There will also be 35.5-mile and 13.5-mile races. Participants younger than age 16 can enter the 13.5-mile race for $10. Participants in the 13.5-mile race over 16 need to pay $20.  Registration fees will go to fund ResacaFest. Checks are payable to San Benito ResacaFest. For more information visit  or call Velma Longoria at 956-361-6450.





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