Page 36 Rio Grande Valley Visitors Guide 2024-2025 Harlingen Municipal Auditorium The Harlingen Municipal Auditorium has hosted hundreds of famous musicians, speakers, circuses, and plays since its opening in 1928. Renovated and expanded in 1993, it remained a venue for concerts and dramatic performances, and serves as headquarters for the city’s signature events. Renovated again after being devastated by Hurricane Dolly in 2008, the auditorium hosts dramatic performances, concerts, and other special events. Located at 1204 Fair Park Blvd., call (956) 216-5990 for information. Harlingen Community Theatre The Harlingen Community Theatre, located at 1209 Fair Park Blvd., features a variety of productions, including plays, musicals, concerts, and more, performed by outstanding local RGV talent. You can check out the website at www.hctvalleystars.org for current information on upcoming events or to purchase tickets. “Like us on Facebook”. Historic Downtown Harlingen, A Designated Texas Main Street District Downtown Harlingen is a thriving and vibrant area of economically viable and unique businesses with activities that attract local citizens and visitors. An attractive streetscape, renovated buildings of diverse architectural styles, and an appealing mix of restaurants, shops, offices, and housing entices residents and businesses to invest in the historic city center. Check out the monthly events below: Market Days: 1st Saturday of the Month | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Downtown at Sundown: 3rd Saturday of the Month (March-October) | 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Harlingen Art Night: Last Friday of the Month | 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Come by the Downtown Improvement District Office at 209 W. Jackson Ave. to pick up a directory and enjoy what Downtown Harlingen has to offer. For more information, contact the Downtown Harlingen Office at (956) 216-4910 or visit the website at https://harlingentx.gov/ community/downtown_harlingen/index.php. Iwo Jima Monument and Museum Iwo Jima Memorial Monument is located on the grounds of the Marine Military Academy. The memorial depicts the six Marines (Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl Harlon H. Block, Cpl Harold Keller, Pfc Ira H. Hayes, Pfc Harold H. Schultz, and Pfc Franklin R. Sousley) shown in a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph as they struggled to plant an American flag atop Mount Suribachi on the Pacific Island of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. The island had been taken by the Japanese in the early years of the war and the planting of the flag was a symbol to the free world of the struggle going on in the Pacific to preserve freedom. Dr. Felix W. De Weldon, a sculptor serving in the Navy at the time, created a scale model, which was used for the final war bond drive of the war. After the war, De Weldon worked almost 10 years to prepare a working model for the memorial to be cast in bronze and set in Arlington National Cemetery. When the bronze statue was completed, it was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. The original model remained in De Weldon’s possession until 1981 when he gave the work of art to the Marine Military Academy. The Iwo Jima War Memorial Museum is located at 320 Iwo Jima Blvd., next to Valley International Airport in Harlingen, and houses a gift shop. The museum honors the efforts of Marines everywhere but concentrates on the Battle of Iwo Jima. The hours of operation are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed on Sundays and Mondays. There are no admission charges, but donations are appreciated. For more info call (956) 421-9234 or visit www.mma-tx.org/museum.htm. Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum History comes alive through tours of the Harlingen Arts & Heritage Museum, located at 2425 Boxwood St. across from Texas State Technical College and Valley International Airport. Step inside the Paso Real Stagecoach Inn built at the end of the 19th century. Marvel at the vintage medical equipment on display in the city’s first hospital. Take a glimpse at daily life in the house
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTczOTk5Mg==