SummaryThis research guide is intended to provide a brief overview of the annual Charro Days festival held in Brownsville. Researchers may find it useful to finding primary and secondary sources among our collections to aid them. It also includes links to external resources for further inquiry.
Charro Days is an annual festival that takes place in late February in Brownsville, Texas. The first Charro Days was celebrated in February 1938 as a means by local businessmen to spur the economy and tourism by commemorating Mexican heritage on both sides of the Rio Grande. "Charro" refers to the Mexican gentleman or cowboy dressed elegantly and traditionally. The celebrations, including Mr. Amigo and Sombrero Festival, last for several days and visitors and residents dress for the occasion.
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. A photograph of a girl in a carriage during the 1939 Charro Days celebration in Brownsville. The carriage has a goat attached to it.
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Cisneros Ruiz (Charro Days), 1951
Charro Days festival portrait of Cisneros Ruiz family taken in Matamoros, Mexico.
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Ford Lockett, 1939 - 1993
Ford Lee Lockett (4, left) and Perry Steele on Hays Street for Charro Days.
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Ford Lockett, 1939 - 1993
Ford Lee Lockett (4, left) and his mother Isabel for Charro Days; taken in 1939; in Brownsville, Texas. 4.7" x 3.5"
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Lucy Dorantes (Charro Days), 1986 - 1987
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Lucy Dorantes (Charro Days), 1986 - 1987
BROWNSVILLE HISTORY HARVEST 2014. Lucy Dorantes (Charro Days), 1986 - 1987
Newspaper clipping, Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas · Wednesday, February 04, 1942
Charro Days, Inc. was established January 22, 1958 as a domestic nonprofit corporation in Brownsville, TX. The corporation was formed for education purposes and dedicated to the goodwill and information in the U.S. regarding Mexico and other Latin American countries.
The Mr. Amigo Association operates as a 501(c)3 non-profit in Brownsville, TX with a mission "to celebrate the shared culture, friendship, and family that unite the border cities of Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico." Originally established by the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce in an effort to promote relations between the United States and Mexico, Mr. Amigo honors the unique relationship of the two border cities Brownsville and Matamoros. Each year a Mexican citizen who exemplifies this bi-national friendship is invited to serve as "Mr. Amigo".
The Mr. Amigo Association was incorporated in early 1964 and former Miguel Aleman, former President of Mexico, was honored as the first Mr. Amigo in October of that year. In 1969, the Mr. Amigo celebration officially became part of Brownsville's annual Charro Days festivities.
Established in 1985, Sombrero Festival operates as a 501(c)4 non-profit corporation civic organization with the purpose providing an enhanced opportunity for Brownsville residents to participate in Charro Days festivities by providing a venue for music and vendors across the community with the goal of donating proceeds to local tourism, beautification, and recreational projects. The three-day event attracts upwards of 50K attendees for music shows, unique food-booths, and popular events like a Jalapeno Eating Contest, Waiters Race, Grito Contest, Charro Days Classic 5K run, Tortilla Frisbee Toss, Hat Stack Relay, and the Frijolympics charro bean cookoff.
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Charro Days in Brownsville by
Brownsville, Texas, was established in 1850 on the banks of the Rio Grande. Every February since 1938, this thriving community of nearly 200,000 has joined its Mexican neighbor, Matamoros, to celebrate their shared cultural heritage. Charro Days burst upon the Rio Grande Valley scene in the depths of the Depression, bringing dances, parades, fireworks, boat races, and a rodeo to a dispirited populace. The celebration achieved instant success, followed by national recognition in magazines, radio, and television. Renowned dance bands and celebrities increased the enjoyment of revelers dressed in Charro costumes. As time passed, Charro Days evolved with the addition of events such as the Mr. Amigo presentation, which recognizes an outstanding Mexican, and the Sombrero Fest, which attracts a large number of attendees with its diverse entertainment.
Charro Days 1941: Brownsville, Texas, February 20 - 23 by 
Charro Days : Brownsville, Texas, February 24, 25, 26, 27, 1938.Maximize your time and effort. Let our staff assist you with finding and accessing resources online.
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