Residents mark holiday with music, fireworks at Sports Park

BROWNSVILLE - Rolando Mascorro braved high temperatures for the outdoor concert Saturday.

He and some friends and family had turned out for the 2009 Salute to Freedom concert and fireworks headlined by Kingz -1, formerly the Kumbia Kings, at the Brownsville Sports Park.

The event, which was hosted by The City of Brownsville, featured a 25 minute fireworks display and a special concert by the 55-piece Texas Army National Guard 36th Infantry Division Band under the direction of Commander Jeff Lightsey. In addition to the music, the event also featured numerous food vendors and children's rides, said City of Brownsville Parks and Recreation Director Chris Patterson.

Some people brought their own food. In preparation for the afternoon's music, Mascorro, his friends, and family set up a tailgate party with a tent, chairs, tables, plates, a barbecue grill, and a crib for the babies.

"We got here at around 3:30 p.m. and began setting up," Mascorro said. "We began grilling hot dogs for the children and as the time goes we move on to the fajitas and the ribs. You can't have a Fourth of July without fajitas and ribs."

Even though Mascorro was waiting to hear music by K-1, he enjoyed the other performances, including Tejano and conjunto sounds by Los Potrillos. The Army band performed salsa and cover material.

"I don't know much about military but this is great," he said. "Originally, though, we came to hear (K-1). We have been wanting to hear them for a long time."

In the vendor area, Mary Lou Nieto set up plates and tortillas as her friends manned the grill for the group's fajita taco sale.

"We brought 800 pounds of fajita," Nieto said. "We came prepared. This is the first time we come to this event here at the park. Hopefully we'll sell a lot."

Later in the evening, the military band was scheduled to perform patriotic tunes before the fireworks display.

"In events like this the crowd has an expectation of what a military band should be," Lightsey said. "We provide that. They will hear ‘America the Beautiful,' ‘Armed Forces Salute,' and numerous marches."

Performing in Brownsville gave Sgt. Ron Rodriguez the opportunity to perform for his family. Even though the Brownsville native has been in the military for over 19 years and with the 36th Infantry Division for over 12 years, he has never performed in front of his family.

"We always performed from the Austin area on up," said a proud and excited Rodriguez. "The closest to Brownsville we have been was about two years ago when we played in Harlingen. "I guess this is my first time performing in Brownsville."