RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
218 Ohio St., Box #3, Mercedes, Texas 78570
Phone: (956) 373-0130
Web Site: HYPERLINK "http://www.rgvmf.com" www.rgvmf.com e-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:ridgerunner3@prodigy.net" ridgerunner3@prodigy.net
George Rogers, President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer
I.W.Henson, Vice President Edy McKenzie, Secretary
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL
(Updated 11-20-08, Edy McKenzie)
Commencing with the Music Festival 2005, a newly formed organization dedicated to promote Country/Western, Blue Grass and Gospel music was born. It should be noted that a survey of the Valley reveals there are more than one hundred (100) jams each week throughout the Valley. Most of the jammers are Winter Texans, or snowbirds; however, many are becoming permanent residents. We appreciate the support we have received from the Cities of Mercedes and Weslaco, the Valley jammers, the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds, merchants, businesses, Chambers of Commerce, R. V. and Retirement parks, and schools. All activities of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival are performed by volunteers; more than one hundred donate their time and effort each year. The musicians donate their time and talent, as well. All those who volunteer are dedicated and energetic. Getting the organization together is hard work, as well as rewarding.
Previous to 2005, a music festival had been held the third week in February, each year, for fifteen years. In 2005, due to a family illness, the leader of that festival was unable to go forward with preparation needed to get the festival off-the-ground. The Manager of the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds gave I.H. (Ike) Warkentin, the opportunity to have a mini-festival during the third week in February, 2005. Ike contacted Geri Clark and Edy McKenzie, and in less than a month, they were able to make preparations for a two day Music Festival. Their first Music Festival occurred on February 16 and 17, 2005, at the Mercedes Live-stock Showgrounds. Participants included professionals, semi-professionals, and Valley jammers. The Music Festival was a success. Enough money was received to pay the bills and have a small reserve for the next Music Festival.
On November 20, 2005, Ike, Geri and Edy held a meeting, to which the Rio Grande Valley jammers were invited. The meeting resulted in a decision to form an organization, name it the “Rio Grande Valley Music Festival”, and go forward with a yearly music festival. The name “Rio Grande Valley Music Festival” was officially registered with the State of Texas. A Mission Statement and a Constitution with Code of Regulations and By-Laws were drafted and have been reviewed for compliance with I. R. S. and Texas State Laws. Trustees and Officers were installed. We applied for and were granted Non-Profit Organization status with the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Texas. The Rio Grande Valley Music Festival has a web site: HYPERLINK "http://www.rgvmf.com" www.rgvmf.com .
February 15 thru 19, 2006, was the second year for the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, making a music festival in the Valley a happening for seventeen consecutive years. Music Festival, 2006, was a success, in spite of having cold, misty and windy weather the last two days. We paid the bills, and had a larger reserve for Music Festival 2007.
The third annual Rio Grande Valley Music Festival 2007, occurred Wednesday, February 14 through Sunday, February 18, 2007, and was a success. This year, for the first time, the Music Festival presented monies for musical equipment to three (3) Rio Grande Valley schools, in the amount of One Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($1,000.00) for each school. We anticipate growth each year, and anticipate that funds for donations to Valley schools for purchase of musical equipment will increase each year.
The fourth annual Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 2008, occurred Wednesday, February 13 thru Sunday, February 17, 2008, and was a success. We were able to commit Eight Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($8,000.00) for donations to schools and youth groups in the Valley. This year, for the first time, we had youth involvement from several Valley schools. It is anticipated we will have more children participating as entertainers in various categories each year.
We have contracted use of the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds for the 2009 Rio Grande Valley Music Festival; the dates are Wednesday, February 18 thru Sunday, February 22, 2009. We’re looking forward to a growing third week in February, each year, for years to come.
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