Mexican Holidays

Cinco De Mayo

This victory day inflames patriotism and pride in the hearts of the citizens of Mexico. Here in Del Rio, kinship with Ciudad Acuña inspires merrymaking on this side of the border as well. In the days surrounding Cinco de Mayo, booths at Brown Plaza offer food, crafts, gifts, and fun for everyone.

Diez y Seis

September 16 (Diez y Seis de Diciembre) is the anniversary of Mexican independence from Spain.

As such, it too commands fireworks and revelry. Ciudad Acuña dresses up in red, white, and green, while Del Rio hosts a carnival with a variety of vendors and activities.

Fiesta De Amistad (Day of Friendship)

Fiesta de Amistad promotes the friendship between sister cities Del Rio, Texas, USA, and Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico. The commemoration started as the Good Neighbor Day in 1956 and grew into a weeklong display featuring the only parade in the world that starts in one country and ends in another.

The Miss Del Rio Pageant heralds the start of Fiesta de Amistad each year. Originally called the Miss Fiesta Pageant and held in July, the pageant has been conducted annually since 1934. A similar contest

takes place in Ciudad Acuña and both queens are presented in the parade.

Fiesta activities also include a chess tournament, an arts and crafts festival, a bike race, and the Abrazo, a traditional embrace between the mayors of both cities at Amistad Dam.