Mission expecting thousands for annual parade Saturday
Special to Texas Border Business
The citrus industry in the Rio Grande Valley was still young when Mission resident Paul Ord and the Young Men’s Business League organized the first Texas Citrus Fiesta in 1932. The celebration was seen as a way of promoting the winter harvest of grapefruits and oranges in the Valley.
Each year, royalty reigns supreme over the festival.
According to the Texas Citrus Fiesta website, John H. Shary, who’s considered the father of the Texas citrus industry, held court over the one-day celebration in 1932. It started with a half-hour concert and ended with the coronation of “King Citrus” and “Queen Citrianna.”
Eighty-seven years later, the selection of the Texas Citrus Fiesta queen takes center stage. Enjoy lots of pics of the coronation.
