Abrazo de la Amistad Kicks-Off 2019 International Friendship Festival in Eagle Pass, Texas during March 22-30, 2019

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2019

The historic Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2019 at 5:30 P.M. at the City of Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 will officially kick-off the 2019 International Friendship Festival in Eagle Pass, Texas during March 22-30, 2019.

The public is invited to attend the historic Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony held at the international boundary line between the United States and Mexico on the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 to celebrate the longstanding friendship and goodwill between the two countries and the cities of Eagle Pass, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.  Admission is free and participants are asked to be at the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 1 by at least 5 P.M. to march with the Eagle Pass Delegation led by Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and other public dignitaries.

Representing Eagle Pass at the Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony as Mr. Amigo is Mexican Consul Ismael Naveja Macias and representing Piedras Negras as Miss Amiga is Sister Guadalupe Vastido Ocampo of Casa OMNIA. The Abrazo de la Amistad Ceremony is celebrating its 57th Anniversary and is hosted by both the Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras International Good Neighbor Councils.

Also starting on Friday, March 22nd, and continuing until March 30th is the fun-filled International Friendship Carnival at Shelby Park in downtown Eagle Pass along the banks of the Rio Grande River. Pre-Sale Tickets for the Carnival are available at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, located at 400 Garrison Street, Eagle Pass, Texas (830) 773-3224 at a cost of only 20 Tickets for $10 until Friday, March 22nd, at 6 P.M. Regular ticket price at the Carnival will be $1 per ticket or 20 tickets for $20.  Please purchase your tickets at the discounted pre-sale price at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce.

On Saturday, March 23rd, the International Friendship Mini-Golf Tournament will be held at the City of Eagle Pass Mini-Golf Course Facility at 9 A.M.  Admission is $5 per person. The Mini-Golf Tournament is open to the public. Come try your putt-putt golf skills.

On Sunday, March 24th, the International Friendship Bowling Tournament will be held at the famous Desert Lanes Bowling Center located on El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass. There will be an admission fee to participate. The Bowling Tournament is open to the public.

Also on Sunday,, March 24th, the City of Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the 2019 Fiesta 5K Ole Run to be held at 6 P.M. at Plaza San Juan at the intersection of Madison and Ferry Streets. The public is invited to participate and prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in different age categories. There is a small registration fee.

On Wednesday, March 27th, the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce will host its 92nd Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers at 7 P.M. at the Eagle Pass International Center for Trade, featuring Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott as keynote speaker.  Please purchase your Banquet tickets or corporate table at the Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce, 400 Garrison Street, in Eagle Pass, Texas, Telephone (830) 773-3224.

On Thursday, March 28th, the City of Eagle Pass will host a Baseball and Softball Tournament between teams from the United States and Mexico with the opening ceremony at 5:30 P.M. at Moncada Baseball Park on South Adams Street in Fort Duncan Park.  Please contact the Eagle Pass Parks and Recreation Department to register to participate at (830) 773-4343.

Also on Thursday, March 28th, through Saturday, March 30th, the Eagle Pass Evening Lions Club will host it traditional “Noches Mexicanas” with live musical bands, performers, food and refreshment booths, and fun-filled activities for the children at Shelby Park in downtown Eagle Pass on the banks of the Rio Grande River.  Come have a great time and listen to the best music on the U.S.-Mexico border.

On Friday, March 29th, Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu will host the 2019 Mayor’s Reception at 7 P.M. at the ruins of Fort Duncan Park in commemoration of the 170th Anniversary of the founding of Eagle Pass, Texas in 1849.  Admission by invitation.

On Saturday, March 30th, the annual International Friendship Parade will be held at 11 A.M. in downtown Eagle Pass, Texas to celebrate the 170th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas with a parade theme of “Where Yee-hah Meets Ole.” Family entertainment. Admission is free to attend the parade along Ceylon Street and Main Street. Don’t miss it.

The Eagle Pass Chamber of Commerce invites all Eagle Passans, Maverick Countians, and friends from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and surrounding cities of Del Rio, Brackettville, Uvalde, La Pryor, Batesville, Crystal City, Carrizo Springs, Asherton, Big Wells, and South Texas to attend and have fun during the 2019 International Friendship Festival from March 22-30, 2019 in Eagle Pass, Texas. “Where Yee-Hah Meets Ole!”