20th Sister Cities Festival highlights strong border ties - Laredo Morning Times

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Laredo's International Sister Cities Festival kicked off on Friday, July 12 at Sames Auto Arena with an array of colorful, vibrant artwork and food from over 200 vendors.
Jose De La Rosa/Laredo Morning Times

The annual Laredo International Sister Cities Festival — celebrating its 20th anniversary — kicked off on Friday with an array of colorful, vibrant artwork and food from over 200 Mexican, Central American and South American vendors.

The venue for the festival, Sames Auto Arena, opened its doors at 10 a.m. Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by officials from Los Dos Laredos as well as from the Mexican states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León.

“We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone year with all of you,” Laredo Public Information Manager Noraida Negron said. “For two decades, Laredo has proudly hosted this incredible event which continues to grow and attract more visitors every year.”

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According to Negron, the three-day festival saw more than 22,000 attendees fill the halls and concourse areas of the arena in 2023.

“This festival is a testament to the strong bonds and vibrant cultural exchanges between Laredo and our sister cities,” Negron said. “We’re honored to have Tamaulipas and Nuevo León as our guests of honor. These regions, directly on the border with Laredo, play a significant role in the festival’s success and highlighting the close ties between our communities.”

Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino said the city is the No. 1 port of entry in the United States and one of the strongest places for international commerce in the world. He highlighted the shared values and commercial goals with Mexico and described the neighboring nation as a commercial ally.

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“As a border town, there are a lot of things we share with our sister cities, like our Mexican heritage,” Trevino said. “We share a vibrant history, culture and family ties since the foundation of our city 269 years ago when Laredo and Nuevo Laredo were one community. This event is the heart and soul of what makes us a unique town, and it’s the biggest example of who we are. I want everyone to enjoy the food, artwork, music and, most importantly, the shared culture.”

Nuevo Laredo Mayor Carmen Lilia Canturosas shared Trevino’s sentiment, describing the festival as an event that “reinforces our border identity” and celebrated the diligent and arduous work of the festival’s organizers.

“This festival’s main goal is to promote Mexico’s rich culture, exquisite gastronomy and vibrant art in Laredo,” Canturosas said. “We participate with enthusiasm, presenting our city’s pride and the attractions that make it unique. Through these types of events, not only do we enrich the cultural and commercial ties between our cities but also build a bridge through which Mexico’s best traditions can reach more people.”

U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Laredo is 96% Hispanic — the most in the nation by percentage — and that it’s bigger than cities like Los Angeles and Houston in terms of commerce for the United States, to which he attributed the success of these types of events.

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“In Laredo, we know the Rio Grande doesn’t divide, but unites two nations — two communities,” Cuellar said. “It’s important to see the artwork, creativity and innovation from Mexico and its people. It’s amazing. Welcome to Laredo.”

Other speakers at the ceremony were Ciudad Fernandez Mayor Dr. Marco Antonio Gonzalez Jasso, Undersecretary of Tourism for Tamaulipas Elvia Veronica Loredo and International Affairs Director for the Government of the State of Nuevo León Devorah Karren.

The three-day festival is free and open to the public. It was open Friday and Saturday each from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and it concludes Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The arena is enforcing its clear bag policy at the event.

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For more information, head to visitlaredo.com or call 956-795-2200.

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20th Sister Cities Festival highlights strong border ties - Laredo Morning Times

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