Bob Courtney, AKA Pastor Pudge, will be hosting the Gospel Music Extravaganza next week where he and others will be performing great gospel music to lift our spirits. The event begins at 3 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, at Winter Ranch Resort, 600 State Hwy. 495, in Alamo.
Others that will be performing are Redneck Revival, Alta Courtney, Mike Leichner, and Jamie Layton.
The City of Mission is proud to be home to one of the largest parades in South Texas, the Texas Citrus Fiesta Parade of Oranges.
This year’s theme is “Noche de Carnaval,” and the parade features over 120 floats. Local marching bands, dance performances, citrus-themed attire, and the royal court attract thousands of people from all over the Rio Grande Valley.
The parade will be taking place on Saturday, January 27, at 12 p.m. It begins on 495 FM & Conway Ave., continuing south on Conway Ave. and ending at 1st Street. The Mission Police Department will close streets along the parade route in phases, starting at 6 a.m., and will reopen until the conclusion of the parade. Spectators are advised to exercise caution along Conway Ave. and obey all temporary traffic signs and coned areas.
Another attraction is the two-day Texas Citrus Fiesta Fun Fair and Kids Carnival. Live music, food vendors, and arts and crafts will make this a memorable night for the community. It is taking place at Leo Peña Placita Park (803 N Conway) on Saturday, January 27th, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. and on Sunday, January 28th, from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Prior to the parade, the media is invited to attend the Mayor’s Brunch, where Mission will warmly welcome various Sister Cities from Mexico. The event is taking place on Saturday, January 27th, at the Mission Chamber of Commerce (202 W Tom Landry St, Mission)starting at 9:30 a.m. This event will allow for interviews with Mission dignitaries and counterparts from Mexico.
The Museum of South Texas History (MOSTH) will host the Sunday Speaker Series presentation, “Palm Care and Maintenance,” featuring Chuck Malloy at 2 p.m., January 28, in the Courtyard Gallery.
This presentation will cover some popular types of palms that thrive in the Rio Grande Valley. Malloy will also provide tips on the proper time and how to prune palm trees as well as feeding them. With the extreme weather, Malloy will also discuss how and when to anticipate the weather’s wrath and how to combat it to protect palm trees. He will also discuss the environmental approach to protecting the landscape, real estate values and creating a habitat for birds, bats, and other wildlife.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) on Saturday, January 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 12th annual Lunar New Year Festival, supported by the IMAS Guild, will feature traditional Chinese, Korean, and Taiwanese crafts, games, and more.
Discover the art of calligraphy, create a dragon puppet, and enjoy local eateries Snow Bite, Ulike Tea, and Han's Katsuya. Paper fan painting will also be available for an additional $3 per participant (limited supply).
There are fun and informative programs at Bentsen-RGV State Park for all to enjoy. Scheduled programs are free with park admission. Reservations are required for some programs. All programs meet at the tram turnaround at park headquarters unless otherwise specified.
On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, there are Bentsen Bird Walks at 8:30 a.m. Star Stories will be held on Sunday, February 11, at 6 p.m. This event requires a reservation. On Thursday, February 29, at 8:30 a.m. there will be a Wild Wellness program.
The Mission Historical Museum gladly presents a special screening of the 1979 western film: She Came to the Valley. The film is based on the novel written by local author, Cleo Dawson.
Who is Cleo Dawson? Cleo Dawson was born in 1902. Her family was one of the first pioneer families who helped transform the frontier town of Mission into an incorporated city. They were the owners of one of the first convenience stores, Caballo Blanco. Her novel is inspired by the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mission, Texas during its pioneer days. It is said to be based on Dawson’s mother’s experiences. The film was shot in South Texas's Rio Grande Valley and Oklahoma. In its first run it broke weekend attendance records at Rio Grande theatres.
If you have ever been to one of Ron Moshier’s shows, you can physically feel the energy change throughout his selection of music. As he goes through his set, or even requested songs, the energy in the room changes with every song he plays…. And it’s a good energy.
We were out at Mustang Lounge and the energy was high as Moshier played through, not taking a break during his two-hour set. From what I hear, this energy is even felt when he plays at a park. This is probably just one reason why he won the Entertainer of the Year Award for the Valley Star Awards.
Moshier said he enjoys making people smile and laugh on the dance floor. The energy in the crowd is transferable to the way he plays and the friendships he has developed with his fans.