By Herb Moering

For the 50th year Tourist Day was started on Saturday, March 21 with delegations from the U.S. side and from the Mexican side meeting at the center of the Progreso International Bridge to exchange greetings and some gifts.

Both delegations were large in number, which was far different from the first time in 1976 when just six people from the U.S. participated, according to Bobby Sparks, one of the bridge owners. He said Tourist Day was the idea of Arturo Serna, who talked five others into what has become a traditional jaunt.

The first years the meetings were on a two-lane steel bridge, Sparks said, which was replaced by a concrete six-lane bridge built alongside the original one. A bridge for just trucks was added in 2018 on the east side, taking that heavy traffic around Nuevo Progreso in Mexico and around on the U.S. side to docks and a customs checkpoint.

Prior to the walk officials from Progreso, Weslaco, Nuevo Progreso and Rio Bravo met in the Bridge Authority’s conference room, where Sparks thanked everyone for coming on a very nice spring day.

Heading the U.S. delegation were Kip and Sharon Smith, selected as king and queen for the occasion after being nominated by the owner of the Red Snapper Restaurant in Progreso.

The Smiths, from Missouri, have been Winter Texans for 24 years after some friends they met in Florida suggested they try Texas. They stay six months each year at Bit-O-Heaven RV and MH Park in Donna. While here they like to dance, ride a motorcycle trike and participate in lots of park activities. Up north they live on a lake some 85 miles outside of St. Louis, where they keep busy and especially enjoy camping.

The Smiths said this was their 23rd year of attending Tourist Day in the Mexico community. Also leading the U.S. delegation was Mr. Tourist 2026, Oscar Ivan Trevino, along with his wife, Cynthia. He is a singer and songwriter who is organizing an international tour later this year. One of the stops will be at the Bert Odgen Arena in Edinburg in September.

Head of the Mexican delegation was Rio Bravo Mayor Lic.Migoel Angel and his wife, Almaraz. He brought greetings and a welcome from the main stage in Progreso where several hundred Winter Texans had been watching entertainment. Various officials offered comments of welcome as well as recognition of the special guests. A large sombrero was presented to Kip and flowers for Sharon along with sashes noting their honorary positions. Trevino received a plaque and framed certificate for being Mr. Tourist.

Hundreds more Winter Texans roamed the main street for a half-dozen blocks where merchants were handing out small gifts as a thank you for all the visits during the past six months.

Among the visitors were Ed and Doris Butler from Minnesota. They spend five months each season at Casa Del Valle RV Resort in Alamo, especially enjoying the weather, according to Ed. They golf, play shuffleboard and cards, and do some line dancing. They find there is a lot to do in the Valley and they’re doing most of it, at least what they are up to physically.

They often come to Progreso, where they enjoy a different culture just across the border. Ed mentioned that in 2009 the community had a 5K run and he was proud to say he placed second in the event and garnered a trophy, a T-shirt and a dinner for two.

It was apparent that the Winter Texans visiting Progreso and Tourist Day were enjoying the event with its food, refreshments and live music.