Hundreds of winter Texans become ‘converted Texans'
MCALLEN — Most of them started out as winter Texans. But after deciding to make the Rio Grande Valley home, they didn’t know what to call themselves — until now.
Welcome Back RGV, a self-proclaimed winter Texan chamber of commerce, and the city of McAllen invited hundreds of year-round RV park residents to participate in an event Thursday that converted them into Texans.
“I’ve always said I’m an implant, but now I’m going to be a converted Texan,” said Laurel Howard, 72.
Howard, along with hundreds of Valley residents like her, was ceremoniously sworn in by McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez at the Palmer Pavilion, 300 E. Hackberry.
The term — converted Texan — was coined by Welcome Back RGV Magazine Owner and Publisher Kristi Collier.
“We dubbed that term two years ago because we found that it’s a real niche,” she said. “There’s a huge population — a mini market in and of itself — within RV park communities of people who are former winter Texans who decided to call the Rio Grande Valley their permanent home, and this is a market that’s often been forgotten.”
Winter Texans contribute $800 million annually to the Valley’s economy, Collier said, but that figure does not include those who stay and contribute year-round.
“So if you think about the economic impact, in the long term our converted Texans do a whole lot more than our winter Texans do,” Collier said.
Collier, who founded her business in 2008, said the idea is to develop relationships with visitors so that they can go through the “conversion” process. She tries to connect the group with specific services they might need, from buying a new car to finding a good doctor.
Dan Pearson, 60, became a winter Texan three years ago. This year he and his wife decided to remain throughout the year. He manages the Park Place RV park in Harlingen and says that at least 10 to 15 more people decided to stay this year.
“We have about 1,000 of us during peak season in February,” Pearson said, “and about 150 stayed this year.”
Collier said more winter Texans are expected this year because RV park reservations are up about 14 percent compared to last year.
Gary Leatherman, who also took part in the festivities, said he researched Florida and Arizona before deciding to travel to the Valley in 1993 after more than 30 years as a choir teacher. He said the Valley was the best fit for him and his wife, who consider themselves permanent Texans.
“I’m learning how to say ‘y’all,’” Leatherman said. “When I first came down I was saying ‘you all,’ and they said, ‘No, you’ve got to learn how to say ‘y’all.’”
Howard, no longer a transplant but a Texan, said the palm trees convinced her to stay.
“I’m from Michigan, but when I came down and saw the palm trees I said, ‘Oh yeah, that’s where I want to be,’” she said. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else now.”
Collier is hoping many more will feel that way.
