Category Archives: Recreation & Tourism

Pharr Breaks Natatorium Ground

Pharr officials ceremoniously turn the dirt for the Pharr Natatorium groundbreaking.

Amid a crowd of enthusiastic swimming athletes, community members, and elected officials, the City of Pharr broke ground on the Pharr Natatorium Sept. 27. The Pharr Natatorium is a years-in-the-making project in partnership with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District. “My son is an avid swimmer and my wife and I have had the privilege of cheering him on during many competitions,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez.…

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Halloween Fun in Harlingen

Downtown Harligen storefront owners give out candy during the Halloween festivities. (Courtesy)

It all started with a change of venue and hundreds of pounds of candy.  In September 2016, the Harlingen Parks and Recreation Department suggested the city’s annual Halloween event relocate from Rangerville Park to Jackson Street. Four years later, ghouls, goblins, witches, comic book characters and much more stroll the streets collecting candy from merchants on Halloween night. It has become one of the city’s and downtown’s most attended and…

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Searching for Ghosts

Many tenants of Downtown Harlingen historic buildings claim that the buildings are haunted. The public will be able to find out for themselves via the Downtown Harlingen Ghost Tour if the ghost stories are true.

As the sun goes down, an eerie feeling falls across the dimly lit streets of Downtown Harlingen. The buildings of the past have a different feel to them. One can almost feel the rush and excitement of the Roaring Twenties in Harlingen. “Some of these buildings have a different feel to them, almost like they’re living,” Downtown Harlingen manager Edward Meza said. “We hear things here in our building and…

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Haunted Hotel: La Niña

Haunted Hotel: La Niña takes place in the basement of the Villa de Cortez Hotel in the center of Weslaco’s downtown historic district. (photo Haunted Hotel: La Niña)

With the recent change in the weather, we can’t help but anticipate the spookiness that lies ahead. Those looking for a good scare this season will want to keep Haunted Hotel: La Niña on their radar. Unlike your traditional haunted house setups, this one has roots that run a little deeper than ground level. This one is making its debut in the basement of National and Texas registered historic landmark…

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Maddie’s Pumpkin Patch

Maddie's Pumpkin Patch

Families looking for the perfect fall photo shoot backdrop this season should make plans to visit the Maddie’s Pumpkin Patch. The McAllen location offering an unforgettable experience sits on Bensten Road between Lark and Auburn Ave. It certainly is a crowd pleaser, especially during the golden hour. Melanie and Rick Vega first opened their McAllen location in 2017, and Maddie’s Pumpkin Patch has since then expanded. There is now a…

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Golf Carting the Island

Two slingshot vehicles for rent on SPI.

The sound-blasting golf carts seen along the streets of South Padre Island are as popular as they can be. The half dozen or so businesses that have the “rent me” signs have been adding newer and fancier rental vehicles to their fleet. Some of these vehicles look like fancy racing cars, called slingshots. Others resemble the smart cars seen on some roads these days. The demand for such vehicles decrease…

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Maddie’s Pumpkin Patch Opens

One of the rustic and charming photo set ups, perfect for fall photos.

With fall on the horizon, pumpkin patches are rising in popularity. One very popular attraction is Maddie’s Pumpkin Patch in McAllen, which opened on Sept. 14. Pumpkins line walking trails leading you to several picturesque photo set-ups ready for you to use. There are goats, piglets, bunnies and horses you can enjoy petting at the big red barn. Take advantage of snacks and the playground, and let the kids take…

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ECO-RIO Builds Student STEAM Skills

Danny Conner and his live reptiles are among the many educational entertainers at ECO-RIO.

The largest environmental educational event in South Texas, ECO-RIO, takes place this weekend at Fiesta De Palmas. From Sept. 21-22, students 12 and under can build STEAM skills for free. The Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math event also builds environmental leadership.  Since nature education takes many forms, ECO-RIO features more than 40 educational booths. Students will have opportunities to see live animal ambassadors up-close. Many educational entertainers will be on hand including Sky King Falconry, Contacto…

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UTRGV Veterans Receive Inaugural Scholarships

Scholarship recipients include (seated) Juan Cerda, John Garcia, Gabriel Carrizales, Juan Gonzalez, Carla Blevins and Hector Villanueva. (photo Edinburg Chamber)

UTRGV veterans are the recent recipients of the inaugural Texas Cook’Em High Steaks in Edinburg Veteran Scholarships. During the planning of the 14th annual Texas Cook’Em: High Steaks, the Edinburg Chamber made the decision to award five $1,000 scholarships. When H-E-B heard of this endeavor, they quickly and generously chose to match that amount. Recipients are Juan Cerda, John Garcia, Gabriel Carrizales, Juan Gonzalez, Carla Blevins, Hector Villanueva, Brandon Bunch, Rosa…

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Development Makes the RGV Prosperous

Eighty years ago, the Rio Grande Valley was a rural, agriculturally based economy with little growth happening. Fast forward to 10 years ago, and the RGV was quickly becoming a thriving metropolitan area as development intensified. Today, the region has completely transformed economically. It has become an area developed by improving and increasing commercial, retail, industrial, entertainment, medical and higher education institutions.  Education In 2013, the transformation of the RGV’s…

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