Many President’s Day celebrations are taking place around the US today. But one of the biggest occurred this weekend in Laredo, Texas, where tourists and locals came out for the 108th annual George Washington birthday celebration. Throughout its history Laredo’s party for the founding father has included a cross-border bridge ceremony in which U.S. and Mexican children and dignitaries meet in the middle of the span to exchange abrazos, or hugs.
This past Saturday, Laredo’s annual Washington extravaganza culminated with a jalapeno eating contest and a parade, which drew tens of thousands onto Laredo’s streets. The procession boasted elementary school cheerleaders, Mexican drum and bugle corps, and smiling law enforcement officials.
In this radio diary, participants talk about the origins of the tradition and what the parade, which is the culmination of a months-long cross border celebration, means to them.
Guests:
