A Letter from the President
Dear Friends and Family,
Welcome to Laredo where you are always greeted with a big smile and a warm abrazo. It is my great honor to welcome you to the 115th Washington's Birthday Celebration where thousands of people gather to honor the Father of our Country with parades, debutante pageants, carnivals and so much more. Laredoans are proud of the month long Celebration, and it is my great privilege to lead as this year's President.
This Celebration is part of every Laredoan's life whether you marched in the parade or enjoyed it from the bleachers, whether you attended the Jalapeño Festival, ate jalapeños or just enjoyed the great music, whether you were wowed by planes at the Air Show or by the Society of Martha Washington and Princess Pocahontas' dresses, whether you rode the Ferris wheel and enjoyed a corn dog at the carnival or sat in awe of the fireworks at the grand finale - you have memories tied to this grand Celebration. I have been lucky to enjoy and participate in this tradition as a volunteer for 20 years following in the footsteps of many family members and friends who have served our community through the Washington's Birthday Celebration Association™ (WBCA™).
I believe volunteerism is an important part of building a successful festival and community. WBCA™ and its events simply could not exist without the hundreds of Laredoans who take pride in the work they do year round to make the Celebration one of the 100 Best in the Nation. Along with the volunteers are our sponsors who underwrite so many of the events so that all of Laredo and South Texas can enjoy the party. Finally, our city, county, federal and state officials whose leadership is instrumental in all of our efforts. For this support, I express my deepest appreciation to all of you for your selflessness and enthusiasm.
For me and many others, the Celebration is also about family. Families participate together and create lifelong memories. To my parents who took us to parades and carnivals each year; my siblings and many aunts, uncles and cousins who volunteered, thank you all for being role models and supporting the WBCA™ festivities. Most of all I am grateful to God for my family - my wife Cristi, who has the patience of a saint and my three children, Cristi, Joe Boy and Anali.
I hope you enjoy the Celebration as much as my family and I have. I encourage you and your family to create your own WBCA™ memories.
Sincerely,
Jose A. Palacios, Jr., President
Washington's Birthday Celebration Association
