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| Linda Leyendecker Gutierrez and some of her creations |
Indeed,
the city of Laredo has made a pretty big deal out of acknowledging the United
States’ first president since 1898.
Of
course, what Castillon, former president of the association that produces the
annual event, meant was “Mexican-Americans.” Laredo was founded by the Spanish
in 1755, and later became part of Mexico when it broke free of colonial rule.
Long
after it became part of the United States, the residents held onto their
traditional Latin festivals and holidays. The city leaders wanted to balance
that out, so they settled on a distinctly American holiday, Castillon
explained.
Now,
there is currently no other city in the America that goes all out for G.W. the
way Laredo does. It has been doing so for 121 years.
The
celebrations take up several weeks in February each year — when the weather is
much milder compared to the summer months.
Washington’s
Birthday Celebration events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and
contributes an estimated $14 million every year to the local economy, according
to the association website.
This
year includes the annual parade, concerts, fireworks, an air show, a car show,
and 5 K race, Jalapeno Festival, a 10-day carnival and the highlight: The
Society of Martha Washington Ball where 13 young women and their escorts,
representing the 13 colonies, attend in resplendent gowns and period costumes.
At
the home of Laredo native Linda Leyendecker Gutierrez, I had an opportunity of
seeing some of these gowns. Gutierrez is one of the city’s best known dressmakers,
who can spend months working on one of the pieces.
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| Gown details |
How
much does she charge to produce one of these one-of-a-kind gowns?
That’s
confidential, she says. She has never revealed how much one of her clients
pays. Once made, they become treasured family heirlooms.
While
the ball is a big night, in Gutierrez’s mind, the most important ceremony is
the International Bridge Ceremony, where two boys and two girls, each
representing both side of the border, meet on a spot over the Rio Grande River
and embrace. The big parade begins soon after.
Another
reason Washington’s birthday is celebrated here is because of the respect the
founding father commands in Latin America as a leader who threw off the yoke of
European colonialism.
“Respected
as the forerunner of such Latin American liberators as Mexico’s Father Hidalgo
and Simon Bolivar, Washington’s esteem is not limited to the United States,”
the celebration’s website says.
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| Bridge ceremony photo courtesy of WBCA. |
The
Princess Pocahontas Pageant and Ball where a local woman in a resplendent
beaded costume “presides over a spectacular pageant that is as much a part of
the Washington’s Birthday Celebration as it is a homage to the Native American
culture. The Princess Pocahontas Pageant presents the Native Americans in a
setting that is both mystical and natural, “ the official website says
The
Society of Martha Washington Ball, where Gutierrez's gowns make their public
debut, is one of the most famous events in South Texas and was featured in
National Geographic.
For
a list of George Washington Birthday Celebration events check out the website
HERE.
For
those who can’t make it to Laredo in February, there is a small Washington's Birthday Celebration museum on the southwest corner of San
Augustin Plaza, which has a display of some of the elaborate gowns and
costumes.
Stew
Magnuson is the author of the Highway 83 Chronicles, a series of three
books about history and life found along U.S. Route 83. The final book, The Last American Highway: A Journey Through Time Down U.S. Route 83 in Texas was released in March 2017 and follows The Last American Highway: The Dakotas, and The Last American Highway: Nebraska-Kansas-Oklahoma, edition.
All three are available ONLINE or in bookstores and gift shops along Highway 83.
For signed copies or retail opportunities contact him HERE
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