Sister Cities Festival Features 195 Artisans Products Mexican Cities Pledge Support through Participation
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Apr 9, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Laredo, April 8, 2010– International interchange. . . tourism trade transfer. . . cultural connections. . . diplomatic discussions. . . arts and accolades. . .are all accounts and descriptions of an internationally recognized and award-winning Laredo project entitled the International Sister Cities Festival (LISCF).
Laredo hosts its eighth annual event that kicks-off with a splendid bi-lingual opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010 at the Laredo Energy Arena. The three-day event features free admission and the wares, products and cultural offerings of its Sisters and other communities from across the nation of Mexico. Laredo will host 195 exhibitors and nearly 400 participants at this tourism, trade, business, arts & cultural exposition that is for the whole family. Through the efforts of the Mexican Consulate General in Laredo, Miguel Angel Isidro, this year the program and event is dedicated to Mexico as it celebrates its bicentennial anniversary of Declaration of Independence and the centennial anniversary of its Revolutionary Battle. Participants are expected to wear typical cultural attire during the various events throughout the three days. With cultural dance and dress, the event will truly feature a cross section of cultures and history from throughout Mexico and of course its influences on Texas.
The Laredo Energy Arena is transformed over the three-day event to hold such exotic items as beautiful artisan produced and hand crafted furniture, jewelry and clothing. Carne seca, fresh cheeses, tortillas, and tequila are a few of the items that you can sample along with products for sale such as silk rebozos, linen gowns, leather goods, wool sarapes and a variety of other clothes and accessories grace some of the hundreds of exhibits set up on the arena floor and concourse.
Recognizing the importance of the Festival and the opportunity for exposure in a U.S. market, many Sister Cities have always attended in full regalia and bring in large delegations including their government leaders that include: Estado de Mexico, Nayarit, Guanajuaato,Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Jalisco, Morelos, Queretaro and San Luis Potosi among others.
The Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau host visitors from afar with dignitaries choosing to travel with their respective cities’ vendors. Many elected officials from established Sister Cities come into Laredo to strengthen the tie and rekindle the friendships that picks up right where they left off the last time they visited.
Other gobernadores, alcaldes and members of city councils come in representation of their people intending to sign a Sister City agreement, this year slated for Saturday night at Paseo Real Reception Hall, two signing ceremonies are slated to take place: a renewal of the agreement with Cuernavaca, Morelos and General Teran, Nuevo Leon. The Festival has been known as the premier venue for signing such agreements in the past.
Laredo is a model city in establishing Sister City relationships with 30 of its own agreements currently in place. The festival has grown from 48 vendors its first year to over 145 in its seventh year in 2009.
This year’s festival would not be possible without the financial and in-kind contributions of the following entities: BBVA Compass Bank, as the title sponsor, and the Paseo Real Reception Hall. Student volunteers from United and United South High School are also pitching in towards the success of the event.
