Page 12 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2024-2025 La Joya ISD Performing Arts Center La Joya ISD’s Alejandro “Alex” H. Saenz Performing Arts Center is a 1,400-seat auditorium that hosts student performances throughout the academic school year. Audience members will be delighted by talented theatre, mariachi, folklórico, band, orchestra, classical guitar, choir, dance, and conjunto performing groups. Patrons can expect high quality performances by student talent, consistently earning top awards in their respective competitions. For more information about Performing Arts Center events call (956) 323-2787. Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery The Rio Grande Valley State Veteran Cemetery in Mission is a special resting place close to home, where friends, family, and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. The sacrifices laid upon the altar of freedom will never be diminished or forgotten. This 75-acre cemetery is located at 2520 S. Inspiration Rd. and is open seven days a week. Visiting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., October 1 through March 31, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., April 1 through September 30. Office hours are Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 956-583-7227 or visit vlb.texas.gov/cemeteries/. Riverside Dreamer River Cruises Come get a close-up view of the Rio Grande River and the habitat that surrounds it. Take a Riverside Dreamer River Cruise and view the sights and birds that live along the river in Mexico and the U.S. The Riverside Dreamer is a 55-foot U.S. Coast Guard-certified sightseeing pontoon boat with covered, cushioned seating for 49 people. It offers one-hour or two-hour cruises departing from the Riverside Club, located at 214 E. Chimney Rd. in Mission. Call (956) 581-4477 or (956) 581-1033 for reservations. Reservations suggested but not required. Minimum requirements for departure are 15 passengers for one hour, and 25 passengers for two hours. Private or group cruises for 25 or more are available upon request. For more information visit the website at www.ontheriver.net. La Lomita Chapel La Lomita Chapel (La Lomita means “little hill” in Spanish), the namesake for the present city of Mission, offers an important glimpse into the history of Mission and South Texas. Constructed from adobe, the chapel was built in 1865 by Rene Guyard, a French merchant and devout Roman Catholic, on the Lomita Ranch he purchased in 1845. It continues as a religious shrine and popular site for historians. The small chapel is located three miles south of Expressway 83 on FM 1016. There is no admission fee, and it is open daily. Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Established in 1899 as the first mission of the historic La Lomita Church by circuit-riding Oblate priests, the church was first known as Our Lady of Mission. In 1925 the church was destroyed in a fire; the statue of the Blessed Virgin was the only thing rescued from the incident. When the current Church was constructed in 1927, the name was changed to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. In 2012 and 2013, the 1927 Church was renovated and expanded in order to accommodate the growing congregation while also maintaining the same sanctuary as well as the interior and exterior style. Currently, the church can now seat up to 1,000 people. A new fiberglass dome replicating the original was also placed. The church is currently listed by the Institute of Texas Cultures as having one of the Rio Grande Valley’s most outstanding architectural designs. Constructed in a revival architecture style, the church features a four-story bell tower, capped by a domed belfry, mission parapets, arched windows, and decorative limestone detailing. Well known for their friendly parishioners, “animals around the manger”, warm welcome and down-home hospitality, the church is located at Magna (6th) St. (was named after Father Roy’s dog and loyal partner who was very much beloved and instrumental in a resurgence of enthusiasm, warmth, joy, and hospitality in the years leading up to the restoration and expanding of the Church) and Dunlap Ave. in Mission. For more information, call (956) 585-2623.
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