Willacy County celebrates centennial

RAYMONDVILLE — Live music and the aroma of freshly barbecued fajitas and funnel cakes filled the Willacy County Livestock Show grounds Saturday evening as the county celebrated its 100th birthday.

The centennial festival was an all-day affair as the morning saw a car show and a barbecue cook-off contest, which were held at the Willacy County Courthouse in Raymondville. Classic cars lined the streets for all to see.

The evening event, held at the Willacy County Livestock Show grounds, featured four live acts and a fireworks show.

Amanda Enriquez and her children, who attended the event, said they were most excited to see the fireworks show.

"The kids just love to sit in the back of our pickup and snuggle up with a couple of blankets and look up into the sky," Enriquez said.

Event organizers touted the festival as the largest fundraising event in county history, as more than a dozen businesses pitched in to help out in the celebrations.

"We wanted to do something to make this event historic, so we took on the challenge to raise funds for the entire county because everybody is giving at Christmas," Ali Busse, Centennial Committee chairman, said.

Organizers said a percentage of all ticket sales would funnel back to many of the county’s non-profit organizations. Proceeds from the concert went to 14 local charitable agencies.

Some of the performers Saturday evening were Tejano legend Ruben Ramos, Philip Thomas and Aaron Watson.