Washington's Birthday Celebration
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| Washington's Birthday Celebration | |
|---|---|
| Location(s) | Laredo, Texas |
| Years active | 1898 - Present |
| Founded by | |
| Date(s) | Annually; Mid January to End of February |
| Genre(s) | Jamboozie: |
| Website | WBCA Homepage |
The Washington's Birthday Celebration (WBCA) [1] is an almost month long held event in Laredo, Texas that celebrates George Washington's Birthday. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the United States with approximately 400,000 attendees annually. The celebration consists of various festivals; a Society of Martha Washington Colonial Pageant & Ball, Princess Pocahontas Pageant and Ball, parades, a carnival, an air show, fireworks, live concerts and a city-wide prom during which many of Laredo's elite dress in Colonial attire. One of its main events, the Jalapeño Festival, has recently been named one of the United States' top 10 eating festivals due to its Jalapeño Eating Contest.
[edit] History
It was founded in 1898 by the Improved Order of the Red Men, local chapter Yaqui Tribe #59. The first celebration was a phenomenal success and its success and popularity grew rapidly and in 1923 it received its state charter. In 1924, the Celebration featured its first Colonial Pageant, which featured thirteen young girls from Laredo, representing the thirteen original colonies. The WBCA has become a Laredo institution, with its history closely tied to the history of the community.
[edit] Jamboozie
Jamboozie is held in late January in downtown Laredo as part of the Washington Birthday Celebrations. As somewhat of New Orlean's Mardi Gras style, the Jamboozie is known to be a colorful event, with many people dressed in beads and masks and sometimes flamboyant outfits. Besides many concession stands and up to four stages that feature local and regional bands (mostly alternative rock, classic rock and Spanish music), there are also several bars along the proximity that are open.
[edit] References
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