WBCA Unveils Commemorative Poster for 115th Celebration
LAREDO, TX (September 14, 2011) – The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) unveiled “Parade Memories” by Lamar K. Gallagher as the 115th Celebration’s Commemorative Poster for the upcoming 2012 festivities. The official unveiling was held at the Laredo Center for the Arts, located at 500 San Agustin Avenue, on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. The event was sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.
“Wells Fargo is pleased to sponsor this year’s unveiling of the poster that captures the vitality and vision of the 2012 Washington’s Birthday festivities. We are delighted to renew our support for a long-standing tradition that means so much to this proud community,” said Wells Fargo District Manager Juanita Mendoza.
The WBCA Poster Unveiling ceremony has become one of the most colorful events leading up to the start of the Celebration. Since 1982, WBCA Presidents have selected local and/or regional artists to create original pieces to be used as the official commemorative poster. This year’s commemorative piece is the featured work of Lamar K. Gallagher, who was personally selected by WBCA President, Jose A. Palacios, Jr., to capture the essence of the 115th Celebration.
“Lamar Gallagher, Aunt Lamar, is timeless. She had a distinguished career in banking all while raising four children on her own. She has an artistic flair in all she does – dressing, cooking, decorating, flower arrangements and of course painting,” Jose A. Palacios, Jr. WBCA president said.
“WBCA has always been about family and friends, and once you look at her wonderful painting, which prominently displays George Washington, you are reminded of some of the things that have brought us together in joyful and celebratory occasions, such as the parades, a Laredo tradition, and the St. Agustin Cathedral, one of Laredo’s oldest and most endearing historical landmarks.”
When asked of her selection to create the Commemorative Poster for the 115th Washington’s Birthday Celebration, Gallagher stated, “I spent my early childhood living at a home on Zaragoza Street adjacent to two of Laredo’s most historical locations, San Agustin Church and San Agustin Plaza. The Plaza was a wonderful vantage point to view the passing parades of the time.”
She added, “For this year’s poster, I wanted to bring this memory back by placing a WBCA parade in this area, where George Washington looks down on his Minute Men Marching Band and a float that represents different WBCA organizations, including the Society of Martha Washington “Martha”, the Pocahontas, and the Abrazo Children representing both the United States and Mexico. It has been a long time desire for me to paint the poster for the WBCA celebration, and I am honored to have been selected to do so. I once again thank Jose A. Palacios Jr. for giving me this opportunity.”
Lamar Kahn Gallagher, a seventh generation Laredoan, has proudly been associated with the Washington’s Birthday Celebration throughout most of her life. In 1944, at the age of 15, she was asked to be a participant in a debutante pageant organized by a group of prominent Laredo women who later went on to form the present-day Society of Martha Washington. Throughout her youth, she enjoyed riding on WBCA parade floats and marching as a majorette with the Martin High School marching band. She continued her association with the WBCA as a Society of Martha Washington Debutante in 1946, and in 1960 she joined the membership of the Society of Martha Washington, and she continues that membership today as a Colonial Lady. In 1974 she was bestowed the high honor of portraying Martha Dandridge Washington.
All four of Lamar’s children have been debutantes or escorts for the Society of Martha Washington. Her two daughters each portrayed Martha Dandridge Washington as well. Lamar is proud to have had four of her grandchildren participate as debutantes or escorts for the Society, with one of her grandsons having been additionally selected as an Abrazo Child by the WBCA.
Lamar’s passion as an artist began at a very young age and continued while attending Incarnate Word College where she pursued a more formal introduction into the world of art. While studying there, she was awarded second place in a San Antonio Street River Art Show for her watercolor tilted “Cactus.”
Lamar studied with several art instructors throughout the years, including Colonel Will Raburg and Laredo Community College Art Chairman, Martha Fenstermaker. While attending art classes at Laredo Junior College, her painting titled “Ton” was chosen for the 1986 Commencement Exercise cover by the President of the college. She has been a supportive member of the Laredo Art League for many years, and today Lamar continues to pursue her passion, talent, and study of art in the mediums of watercolor, oil, and acrylics.
Lamar’s great pride and love for her country and local community inspires the beauty and joy found in this year’s poster painting titled “Parade Memories.” She feels honored to have been chosen as the 2011-2012 Poster Artist by this year’s President, Mr. Jose A. Palacios Jr., on behalf of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association.
The 115th Celebration Commemorative Poster, “Parade Memories,” as well as any other WBCA souvenirs may be purchased at the WBCA office at 1819 E. Hillside Road, or may be ordered online at www.wbcalaredo.org, by clicking on the souvenirs tab.
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration, founded in 1898, is the largest Celebration of its kind in the United States. The month-long celebration includes parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts and many other fun and exciting events for every member of the family. Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and yearly contributes an estimated $14 million to the local economy.
Throughout the years, the Celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more. Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and yearly contributes an estimated $14 million to the local economy.
The Washington's Birthday Celebration was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association (ABA) because of the excellent entertainment value it offers to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.
The 115th Washington’s Birthday Celebration takes place January 19 - February 19. Tickets for events may be purchased beginning Feb. 6th. For additional information, click on the media tab at www.wbcalaredo.org, e-mail wbca@wbcalaredo.org, contact the WBCA office at (956) 722-0589, or visit 1819 E. Hillside Road in Laredo, TX.
