RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL P.O. Box 104, Mercedes, Texas 78570-0104 Phone: (956) 373-0130, Pres. Web Site: www.rgvmf.com (I.R.S., I.D. #13-4293992)
George Rogers, President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer I.W.Henson, Vice President Edy McKenzie, Secretary
-BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL- (UPDATED 11-09-09)
Commencing with the Music Festival 2005, a newly formed organization dedicated to promote Country and Western, Blue Grass and Gospel music was born.It should be noted that 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, and 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 Valley Schools.All activities of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival are performed by volunteers; more than one hundred volunteers donate their time and effort each year.The participating musicians donate their time and talent, as well.Those who volunteer are dedicated and energetic. Previous to 2005, a Music Festival had been held the third week in February, each year, for fifteen years.In 2005, due to 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 complete preparations for a two day Music Festival at the Mercedes Livestock Showgrounds. On November 20, 2005, Ike Warkentin, Geri Clark and Edy McKenzie scheduled 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.Trustees and Officers were installed.A Mission Statement and Constitution with Code of Regulations and By Laws were drafted, and reviewed for compliance with I.R.S. and Texas State Laws.Non-Profit Organization status was applied for and granted by the I.R.S. and the State of Texas.A web site was set-up:www.rgvmf.com First Annual Rio Grande Valley Music Festival; Wednesday and Thursday, February 16 and 17, 2005 (2 Days). 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.The Founding Officers were: Ike Warkentin, President Geri Clark, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary (Page 2, Brief History, Updated 11-09-09) Second Annual Rio GrandeValley Music Festival; Wednesday, February 15 thru Sunday Noon, 19, 2006 (5 Days). The Officers elected for the 2006 effective 04-01-05, Rio Grande Valley Music Festival were: Ike Warkentin, President Danny Dee, Vice President, who resigned and was replaced by Francis Hahn, Vice President Geri Clark, who resigned and was replaced by George Rogers, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary This year, the Music Festival was scheduled for five days, an increase of three days.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. Third Annual Rio GrandeValley Music Festival; Wednesday, February 14 thru Sunday Noon, February 18, 2007 (5 Days). The Officers for the 2007, effective 04-01-06 Music Festival: Ike Warkentin, President Francis Hahn, Vide President George Rogers, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary This year, for the first time, the Music Festival presented monies for musical equipment to three Rio Grande Valley Schools, in the amount of $1,000.00 to each school.We anticipated growth each year, and anticipated that funds for donations to Valley schools would increase each year. Fourth Annual Rio GrandeValley Music Festival; Wednesday, February 13 thru Sunday Noon, February 17, 2008 (5 Days). The Officers for the 2008.effective 04-01-07 Music Festival were: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary. We were able to commit $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. Fifth Annual Rio GrandeValley Music Festival; Wednesday, February 13 thru Sunday Noon, February 18, 2009 (5 Days). The Officers for the 2009, effective 04-01-08 Music Festival were: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary. (Page 3, Brief History, Updated 11-09-09) The number of attendees increased significantly.We added a Jammers Tent which was well received.The number of participating Arts & Crafts vendors increased.After the fifth annual Music Festival, we were able to commit $10,000.00 for donations to school music departments and youth groups in the Valley.We had five youth groups participating this year.They were listed in the Program as special attractions, and were well received. Sixth Annual Rio Grande Valley Music Festival; Tuesday, February 16 thru Sunday Noon, February 21, 2010 (6 Days). The Officers for the 2010, effective 04-01-09 Music Festival are: George Rogers, President I.W.Henson, Vice President Anna Jenkins, Treasurer Edy McKenzie, Secretary. The sixth annual Rio Grande Valley Music Festival is coming-up.The 2010 Music Festival will commence on Tuesday instead of Wednesday; an additional day is planned.We have worked diligently throughout the year maintaining relationships with the Valley communities who have supported us along the way, and making contacts with additional prospective sponsors.We look forward to another successful Music Festival. (Page 4, Brief History, 11-09-09) The following is a listing of recipients of monies from the proceeds of the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival.All monies in excess of expenses are donated to Valley Schools, Music Departments, and / or youth groups for use in their music programs. AmountRecipients of Monies (Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-14 thru 02-18-07, $3,000.00) $1,000.00Alton Memorial Junior High School, Mission, Texas. $1,000.00Mercedes Independent Schools, Mercedes, Texas. $1,000.00Weslaco High School, Weslaco, Texas. $3,000.00Total Monies Disbursed. (Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-13 thru 02-17-08, $8,000.00) $1,000.00Economedis High School, Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric Jaquar. $1,000.00Edcouch-Elsa High School, Edcouch, Texas; Mariachi. $1,000.00Edinburg Parks & Recreation; Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric. $1,000.00Escobares Elementary School; Alan Mayne, Teacher. $100.00First Baptist Church, Weslaco, Texas; Choir Tour of Germany. $2,000.00Mercedes High School, Mercedes, Texas; Mariachi Group. $1,000.00Mission Elementary School, Mission, Texas. $995.00Valley Grande Academy, Weslaco, Texas; Bass Saxophone. $8,095.00Total Monies Disbursed. (Rio Grande Valley Music Festival, 02-18-09 thru 02-22-09, $10,000.00) $500.00Alvarez Elementary ISD School, McAllen, Texas; Drum Band. $1,000.00Economedes High School, Edinburg, Texas; Folkloric Jaquar. $1,000.00Edcouch-Elsa High School, Edcouch, Texas; Mariachi. $1,000.00Edinburg Parks & Recreation; Folkloric Group. $1,000.00Escobares Elementary School; Alan Mayne, Teacher. $500.00Martinez Elementary School, Mission, Texas. $1,000.00Mercedes High School, Mercedes, Texas; Mariachi Group. $1,000.00Our Lady Of Refuge Catholic Church, Roma, Texas. $1,000.00Valley Grande Academy, Weslaco, Texas. $1.000.00 Veterans Middle School Mariachi Juvenil de America, Rio Grande City, Texas.
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$9,000.00Total Monies Disbursed, as of 11-09-09 ($1,000.00 to be awarded).
