Fiesta Hispano Americana-Wharton Tx.

Fiesta Hispano Americana
P.O. Box 1102
Wharton, TX 77488
ph:
fhawc@yahoo.com

Street Festival

The "Street Festival" is a free to the public, all day event which reconizes and celebrates the Hispanic Culture and Heritage of the people of the surrounding communities. The "Street Festival" includes a Parade, Queen Pageant, Little Miss and Little Mr. Pageant, folklorico groups, mariachi groups, kid's activities, arts and crafts, the crowning of the Fiesta Hispano Americana Queen, and Little Miss Fiesta Hispano Americana Queen, a street dance, and a myriad of food booths selling all types of food, desserts, & refreshments until midnight. The "Street Festival" is the final event of the year for the organization which rasies money for its scholarship endowment program. The "Street Festival" is held every second Saturday of September.

The festival begins every year with a Parade at Noon.

Local dignataries, County Officials, Area Businesses, Area School's marching bands, cheer teams, and JR. ROTC groups, Boys & Girls club, civic organizations, & area fire departments all participate. The Fiesta Hispano Americana also invite area chamber of commerces, & regional county fair queens and her royal courts. The parade travels west down Miliam street from Walnut street toward the historic courthouse square in downtown Wharton. The parade is free to enter and is open to the general public. Trophies will be awarded for first & second place in these categories: Youth Organization, Floats, Marching Bands/Groups, Businesses and Clubs.

For information and a Free Parade Entry form,

contact Parade Chairman, Joey Pennington @

979.532.1978, or 979.618.1140, or

E-mail Address:

fhawc@yahoo.com or

Mailing Address: Fiesta Hispano Americana

P.O. Box 1102

Wharton Tx. 77488.

The Parade is started by the Wharton County Sheriff's Department leading the way. Second, the color guard from either the Wharton High school JR ROTC chapter or the local chapter of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) presents the colors and marches onward.

Bruno Ybarbo

Third, our "Grand Marshal" follows. This years 2007 Grand Marshal will be "Bruno Ybarbo". Mr. Yarbo was the longest acting Fiesta Hispano Americana president. Bruno served as president for sixteen years. Mr. Yarbo and wife Janie were among the first five founders of the Fiesta Hispano Americana organization which was established in 1982. To see our past "Grand Marshals", go to the "Historical Events" page on this website. To see our "Past Presidents", go to the "Board Members" page on this website.

Next, the Fiesta Queen candiates ride seperately on

vehicles followed by the Little Miss & Little Mr. canidates. Next come the marching bands, the cheer teams, local & area business, and civic clubs. Next, the current Fiesta Hispano Americana Queen & royal court continues the parade on the Fiesta Hispano Americana float.

Finally, the Wharton Volunteer Fire Dept. bring up the rear to let everyone know the parade is over.

The "Street Festival" is the last oppurtunity the Queen candidates have to impress the judges before the new Fiesta Queen is crowned. During the entire Queen pageant, the Queen candidates have represented a Latin American, South American country, Spain or the United States which their flags are represented to the left.

Immediately following the parade, The Fiesta Hispano Americana president begins the Street Festival with the Opening Ceremonies which takes place on the main stage set up at the south end of Houston Street. An Invocation is recited, the Singing of our National Anthem is sung, and the president has a welcome speech to all in attendance. The Grand Marshal then speaks about their life accomplishments and gives a motivation speech to the crowd regarding the need to continue having success and traditions of the Hispanic culture. Finally, awards are given to the years sponsors, outstanding members, & parade winners.

Second, Hispanic entertainment takes the main stage. Folkloric Groups & Mariachi groups excite the crowds and bring back the memory of Hispanic culture that seem to be forgotten. Most children in the crowds experinece these traditional Hispanic traditions for the first time at the Fiesta Street Festival.

Third, the raffle winners are announced, followed by the Little Miss. Fiesta & Little Mr. Fiesta Contest which takes place on the main stage. The crowds along with the candidates parents are filled with anticipation. It's been four long months of fundrasiers and meeting new people while spreading the visions & goals of the Fiesta Hispano Americana organization.

Next, the Fiesta Queen contest takes the main stage. The Queen candidates recite speeches while dressed in authentic dresses from the country they represent. The winner is announced and crowned by the mayor of Wharton.

Finally, the celebration of the new Queen and her royal court begins with a Street Dance til Midnight.

What would a festival be without food? Many are lured by the savory scents of an extensive array of every single type of traditional Mexican cuisine provided by many vendors that can only be found at a festival such as this. Funnel Cakes, Turkey Legs, Roasted Corn are just a few of the food items that will be available. Pony rides, kid's games, face painting, and arts & crafts are other attractions at the Street Festival. A limited number of food and non-food booths are available for this year's "Street Festival" event on Sept. 13, 2008.