Texas Border Business
McALLEN – The City of McAllen hosted a media availability this morning where Mayor Jim Darling addressed questions surrounding the BorderFest change of venue.
“Our understanding is the BorderFest Board and the City of Hidalgo had two different directions that they wanted to take,” Darling said. “We were advised by some BorderFest members that discussions occurred with the City of Hidalgo where it was determined that the relationship was irreconcilable. Our understanding is that BorderFest is a Texas non-profit unincorporated association, under 501-C3 of the tax code and therefore can choose the venue in which their event is held.”
This year’s event will be held at the McAllen Convention Center March 3 through March 6, 2016.
“I want to reiterate that this request came independently from the BorderFest Board to McAllen,” said Darling. “The City will be making available the Convention Center as a venue, will provide personnel and a sponsorship for this year’s BorderFest and possibly in the future.”
A BorderFest honoree is also named every year. Robert and Janet Vackar, owners of the local Bert Ogden car dealerships, were named 2016’s Border Texan of the Year for the McAllen event.
“We’re just overwhelmed with joy,” said Janet. “It’s an honor to be the new Border Texan of the Year especially because it’s going to be in McAllen this year so that’s going to be really fun and exciting.”
Keeping with the event’s theme “Celebrate the Best of Texas,” BorderFest organizers touted Texas-sized exhibits hailing from San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth.
