Los Fresnos News

Los Fresnos Rodeo Ends Riding High

Parade participants bearing the U.S,, Mexican, Canadian and Texan flags. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN

Parade participants bearing the U.S,, Mexican, Canadian and Texan flags. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN

by Tony Vindell/LFN

The 29th annual Los Fresnos Rodeo is now history, but the city’s biggest event of the year ended on a high ride.

Judging by some spectators’ comments, attendance surpassed previous rodeos and parking became an issue for some people.

LFHS Conjunto Halcón entertain the crowd with music as they pass by during the 2018 Los Frensos Rodeo Parade on Saturday, February 17th. The parade is a traditional part of the Annual Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo and Concert, which celebrated its 29th year this year. Winners of the parade float contest are listed below. .  Conjunto Halcón took  first place in the Equestrian division. Photo: Los Fresnos CISD Flickr Page

LFHS Conjunto Halcón entertain the crowd with music as they pass by during the 2018 Los Frensos Rodeo Parade on Saturday, February 17th. The parade is a traditional part of the Annual Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo and Concert, which celebrated its 29th year this year. Winners of the parade float contest are listed below. . Conjunto Halcón took first place in the Equestrian division. Photo: Los Fresnos CISD Flickr Page

And in spite of all the risks taken by the many participating cowboys and cowgirls, no major injuries were reported with the exception of a vaquero who had to be checked by Emergency Medical Services personnel for dehydration.

Saturday’s Rodeo Parade went well. It drew several thousand spectators who waited for a while on both sides of Arroyo Boulevard.

The Delgado and Pena families enjoying the parade. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN

The Delgado and Pena families enjoying the parade. Photo: Tony Vindell/LFN

Among the parade watchers were a group of Winter Texans from Illinois and the Delgado and Pena families of Los Fresnos.

“We always enjoy watching the parade,” Cheryl Gwinn said. “We stay across from the rodeo grounds and it sounded like there were lots of people.”

The Gwinns, which include her husband Don, and parents Lucille and John, said they have been coming to Los Fresnos for many years to spend their winters in the Rio Grande Valley.

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They said fishing is one of their favorite things to do while they are down here.

As the parade went on, some people got up and danced while others took picture after picture of the floats and of their children attending school and who participated in dancing teams

George Gomez, vice chairman with Los Fresnos Rodeo Committee, said attendance at all events surpassed all previous rodeos.

“We had big crowds all three days,” he said. “It was awesome.”

Gomez estimated about 25,000 people went through the gates from Friday through Sunday.

He also acknowledged that there wasn’t enough parking and seating areas for people to sit down.

But overall, Gomez said the rodeo was a success.

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