What started out as an idea among friends 65 years ago has
transformed into an international event, drawing the interest of
travelers far and wide and even earning recognition as one of
the top 100 events in North America. National Geographic
published a feature story on this unique international
celebration on the United States’ southernmost city and its
neighbors across the border. Yet, the festival has never lost
its hometown flavor. Today, marching in a parade is a childhood
memory cherished by most adults, and watching the floats and
marching bands delight new generation of children of all ages.
Mothers still sew their children’s outfits for the big week in
late February and fathers still paint mustaches on their boys
for the celebration honoring the traditional and romantic life
of the Mexican cowboy. Although the actual Charro Days
celebration is traced to a gathering of the Pan American Round
Table civic club in Brownsville in 1937, its antecedents go back
much farther, 110 years to be exact. That’s w