WBCA delegation visits D.C.

Posted: Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:18 pm | Updated: 1:20 pm, Sat Mar 26, 2016.

Special to the Times

Representatives of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association traveled to Washington, D.C. recently to co-host a reception with the City of Laredo and Congressman Henry Cuellar, who portrayed George Washington in 2014, to invite federal officials to Laredo for the 120th celebration.

“Our trip to Washington, D.C. is yet another way to venture out and promote the City of Laredo and attract visitors to the city for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration festivities,” said WBCA President-Elect Eddie Villarreal said.

“Highlighting the festival and the great City of Laredo also helps us boost our economic impact.

“The 120th Celebration promises more exciting events throughout January and February for the community and visitors to enjoy in 2017. It just keeps getting bigger and better every year.”

The 2016 Ambassadors who were present in D.C. were the Abrazo Children: representing the United States, Anna Victoria Herbig and Michael Casso; and representing Mexico, Claudina Patricia Gonzalez Vazquez and Juanmario Barragan Garza.

The WBCA delegation visited Mount Vernon and had the distinct honor to pay tribute to the real George and Martha Washington in a very special way.

WBCA took part in a special wreath-laying ceremony which consisted of the Pledge of Allegiance, General Washington’s prayer for his country, and the placement of the wreath within the locked Tomb area.

Veronica Castillon, WBCA immediate past president, led the ceremony by reading General Washington’s prayer.

The Abrazo Children then took part by placing a special wreath next to their tombs.

The group was also allowed access to the rarely visited third floor of the Mt. Vernon estate where Martha spent her last days after the passing of her husband, George Washington.

While in D.C., the delegation together with the City of Laredo and Cuellar also hosted a reception on Capitol Hill to invite federal officials, legislators and department heads to Laredo to experience the 120th Washington’s Birthday Celebration firsthand in January and February 2017.

The reception featured a five-minute La Costeña Jalapeño Eating contest, in which several congressmen and invitees tested their mettle against the ever popular green pepper.

Taking home first place was Giovanni Escobedo (Office of Congressman Filemon Vela) with 34 jalapeños, followed by Bob Burrett (Office of Congressman Doug Collins) with 26 jalapeños, and locked in a third place tie was Daniel Salinas (Office of Congressman Will Hurd) and Benjamin Barret (Representing the New America Foundation) with 18 jalapeños each.

The Washington’s Birthday Celebration, founded in 1898, is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States.

Throughout the years, the celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more.

Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and yearly contributes an estimated $14 million to the local economy.

Save the date for the 120th celebration, which will be held January and February 2017.

Visit wbcalaredo.org for more details.

LINK: http://www.lmtonline.com/news/local/article_2e4e4192-f37f-11e5-a2d3-3765294f07e2.html