ByGeorge Magazine 2013

FREE! 2013 Edition • Laredo, Texas

TOP 1 EVENT00 NO AMERRTH ICA IN

COVER

www.a-1autostop.com

Letter from the President

WBCA™ Executive Committee

(Standing L-R): Jose A. Palacios, Jr. (Ex-Officio), Pati G. Guajardo (President-Elect), Bob Weathers (WBCA™ President), Veronica Castillon (1st Vice-President), Dr. Joe Castellano (2nd Vice-President) and E. Eddie Villarreal (Treasurer).

Contents ByGeorge!™ Laredo,Texas: Your Celebration Destination!...................................6 Commander’s Reception.............................................8 Founding Fathers’ 5k Fun Run & Health Fair....................................................8 H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza...................................9 Boys & Girls Club Wine Tasting Gala..................... 10 UETA Jamboozie.......................................................... 12 Map and schedule of events................................... 14 WBCA™ Youth Song & Dance Festival ................. 16 Official 116th Commemorative Poster................ 16 LWCBA Noche de Agave Tequila Tasting............. 17 WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s....................................... 18 Border Beer Fest........................................................... 20 Calendar of events 2013........................................... 23 LCC Family FunFest & Musicale............................... 24 Comedy Jam For George.......................................... 24 WBCA™ Stars & Stripes Air Show Spectacular Sponsored by CPL Retail Energy, A Direct Energy Co...................................................... 25 Noche de Cabaret LULAC #7................................... 26 Señor y Señora International LULAC #12............ 26 AHT George Washington Performance............... 26 Princess Pocahontas Pageant & Ball..................... 27 SMW Colonial Pageant & Ball.................................. 28

Published By:

Laredo: 5415 Springfield, Suite 6A (956) 723-4389

San Antonio: 800 Dolorosa, Suite 202 Toll free: +1 866 733-2147

www.graphitiks.com www.southtexasfestivals.com

International Bridge Ceremony Sponsored by La Posada Hotel............................... 31 WBCA™ Jalapeño Festival Sponsored by Uni-Trade........................................... 32 Award Winning Celebration.................................... 34 IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars ........................ 35 Caballeros Cocktail Party.......................................... 36 Taste of Laredo™.......................................................... 36 Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade............................................................ 37 Mr. South Texas Luncheon Sponsored by Texas Community Bank................ 38

For details on events visit our website at

www.wbcalaredo.org Join us for the “Celebration with Something for Everyone”

January 24 - February 25, 2013

About The Cover The faces of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration™ grace the cover of this 2013 edition of ByGeorge Magazine, featuring all the unique events that highlight the Celebration With Something for Everyone!

I’m also proud to note, the Celebration has garnered numerous awards over the years presented by both the Texas Festivals & Events Association and the International Festival & Events Association. The Celebration was named a “Top 100 Event” by the American Bus Association for the third time, as well as being noted as “Top Best of Fests” by Ride Texas Magazine. This past Celebration the WBCA™ garnered a record number of 15 first places at the recent TFEA annual conference. Definitely a record to make all Laredoans proud!

I. personally invite you to come to Laredo and explore our great community and experience and enjoy your favorite event beginning January 24th through February 25th!

Sincerely,

Bob Weathers

2012-2013 President Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association™

Publisher: Jose A. Garcia

Editorial & Advertising Design: Mayra Lizeth Flores S.

Account Manager: Yolanda M. Garcia

Contributing Writers: Michelle Romani Lisa Morales Celina Alvarado

Account Executives: Olegaria Placencia Yolanda Garcia Elena Arriaga

Let me be the first to welcome you to the 116th Celebration of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association’s™ month long party! This one-of-a-kind Celebration is one of the region’s oldest festivals which gives Laredo and Webb County notoriety both nationally and internationally. The Celebration is famous for having something for everyone to enjoy. The variety of events can take you from a dance competition to fireworks, debutante balls, parades, an air show, and even a 12 day carnival and let’s not forget the famous WBCA™ Jalapeño Festival.

Bob Weathers 2012-2013 WBCA™ President

Contributing Photographers: Reiver Rodriguez Guillermo Sosa Ricardo Segovia Edwardo P. Garcia Peter Pan Studios

The Official Washington’s Birthday Celebration Magazine is provided as a service by the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association™. WBCA™ 1819 E. Hillside Rd. / Laredo, Texas 78041 956.722.0589

Lisa Morales

WBCA™ Executive Director ByGeorge™ Magazine Editor 1819 E. Hillside Road • Laredo, Texas 78041

(956) 722-0589

www.wbcalaredo.org

The Official Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association™ is not responsible for any discrepancies or changes made after October 1, 2012.

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information at the time of publication, yet this is not guaranteed.

All advertising is the sole property of Graphitiks Advertising Design, Inc. unless otherwise specified and is protected by copyright law.

TOP 1 EVENT00 NORT AMER H ICA IN

6999 McPherson Rd. • Ste. 107 cPherson Rd. • Ste. 107

McPherson Rd. • Ste. 107

H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza Sponsored by H-E-B

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 • 2 pm-10 pm tailgate party & LIVE Music / 8 pm Fireworks Show • LIFE Downs on Hwy. 59 East • FREE Admission

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CERTIFIED

1. Laredo Civic Center - Shirley Stadium 2. Texas A&M Intl. University 3. L.I.F.E. Downs 4. Laredo Center for the Arts - Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau 5. Laredo Little Theatre 6. LCC Campus 7. Laredo Country Club 8. Laredo International Airport (Maher entrance) 9. Parade Routes 10. Juarez - Lincoln Bridge 11. La Posada Hotel 12. Laredo Energy Arena 13. El Metro Park & Ride - WBCA™ Office 14. Laredo Medical Center 15. Lake Casa Blanca 16. Paseo Real

LWCBA Noche de Agave Tequila Tasting

Friday, January 25, 2013 • 8pm-12 midnight Paseo Real • $100 Per Person • $1000/table Cocktail attire

WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s

It’s Carnival Time! The excitement abounds along the midway at the WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s.

Generations of Laredoans revere the beloved WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s.

From the heights of the Ferris Wheel to the dizzying speeds of the Matterhorn, the Carnival thrills audiences with heart pounding rides and games that test the skill and nerves of even the most savvy participants.

This year the WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s includes a total of 12 days of fun!

Join us on the midway and explore the wonders on the carnival floor. To experience the WBCA™ Carnival is to return to the simple pleasures of good old-fashioned fun, where everyone feels like a kid again.

And let’s not forget the food! Nothing rivals the aromatic smell of roasted corn, sweetly spun cotton candy, caramel apples, funnel cakes, barbecued turkey legs, corn dogs and pizza that you can only get at the WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s.

And as a special treat this year, long after the fireworks mark the end of the 116th Washington’s Birthday Celebration, festival goers will still get to enjoy one extra day of the carnival on McMonday, February 25th - join us that day for a special ride and gate promotions, register to win FREE McDonald’s for a year and much more!

Join us on Facebook and Twitter or TEXT the word “WBCA” to 72727 to learn more!

McMonday

WBCA™ Carnival Sponsored by McDonald’s

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Feb. 14 -25, 2013 • Laredo Energy Arena Parking Lot • Monday-Friday - Gates open at 5 pm • Saturday-Sunday - Gates open at Noon POP Days $20: Fri. Feb. 15, 6 pm to 10 pm • Sat. Feb 16, 2 pm - 6 pm • Fri. Feb. 22, Noon to 6 pm $2 - Admission • $7 - Pre-sale discount tickets available at most schools & at WBCA™ ticket kiosk McMonday on Monday, Feb. 25: Special Promotions and FREE Prizes!

10th th ESCAMILLA ANNIVERSARY

Thank You Laredo!

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The Society of Martha Washington Pageant and Ball

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