The City of Edinburg invites the community to its 10th annual FridaFest on July 15 at Edinburg City Hall, 415 W. University Drive. Some indoor pre-festival events begin at 5 p.m. with the outdoor community festival hours being 7-11 p.m.
A Women’s Empowerment Panel kicks off the evening at 5 p.m. at Edinburg Municipal Auditorium (behind city hall). This empowerment panel showcases local women who have excelled in their careers and aim to inspire women of all ages to pursue their dreams and embrace their potential. Panelists include Judge Renee Betancourt, Edinburg City Manager Myra L. Ayala, RGV Hispanic Chamber Chief Executive Director Cynthia Sakulenzki, ECISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Eva Tristan Torres, and Literary Manager and Partner at Inclusion Management Sandra Avila.
Following the panel, the FridaFest Artist Exhibit Reception will begin in the lobby of the EMA. The exhibit will feature a collection of artworks by local female artists. Curated by local artist and art educator Tania Viveros, the exhibit showcases her work as well as the works of Ana Luisa Lopez, Gaby Rico, Cecilia Garza, Wendy Lara, Raquel Hinojosa, Alexis Ramos, Cheryll Anderson and Jennifer Poppy.
Outdoor Festival
The outdoor community festival includes local vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, Frida-inspired models, mariachi performances, folkloric performances, fun-photo ops and an animal display. There will also be a special performance by Ache de Barrio, the Valley’s five-star party band offering a salsa and party concert from 9-11 p.m.
FridaFest will feature the annual Look-A-Like contest inside the EMA at 7 p.m. with the check-in from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Categories for the Frida Look-A-Like contest include Little Miss Frida (ages 2-9), Junior Miss Frida (ages 10-17) and Miss FridaFest (ages 18 and up). Contestants will receive a trophy for first place and runner-up. To participate in the look-a-like contest or for more details, visit edinburgarts.com/fridafest.
The festival will also feature a chalk art competition. Artists interested in competing should visit edinburgarts.com/fridafest to register. Participants will be allocated a five-foot-by-five-foot space to showcase their artistic skills. The proposed art should celebrate women and be Frida inspired. The top three winners will receive cash rewards, with $250 awarded for first place, $150 for second and $50 for third place.
A new addition this year is the FridaRiders Caravan in partnership with the South Texas Motorcycle Museum. The Museum will host a daytime FridaFest art exhibit highlighting artist Laura Garcia at the South Texas Motorcycle Museum at 4403 E. Richardson Road. Following the exhibit, the FridaRiders will depart to the FridaFest in a caravan. Female riders may register at edinburgarts.com/fridafest. Registration is free, and the best-dressed Frida Rider will be selected in first, second and third as people’s choice. The MotoShow will line up at the FridaFest. Attendees can take pictures with the bikes and riders.