HARLINGEN - With everything from Disney tunes to belly dancers and lumberjacks, the 26th annual RioFest begins three days of family fun at 5 p.m. today in Fair Park.
This year's theme is "Viva RioFest Para la Familia," said Kathy Preddy, the festival's director.
"We've got lots of fun activities for families to participate in," Preddy said. "Even the shows are very family friendly."
The annual festival offers a little for everyone, filling the Casa De Amistad with art, the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium with jazz and the park grounds with a wild variety.
Part of that wildness is Danny Conner's Reptile Adventure Show and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. Each has two performances scheduled for today as well as four performances each on Saturday and three on Sunday.
This year's featured artist is eRic Luplow of el Gallery & Studio on The High Road in Truchas, New Mexico.
Today's other performers include: Doug Whitaker, Gun Slinging Roping Cowboy and James Garcia and the White Eagle Band.
Saturday's music will come from such bands as Boneyard, G'D UP and Easy Money.
Sunday's featured music includes Legs against Arms, an Austin band that recently performed at South By Southwest Music Conference, which leads with a 2 p.m. show.
Vince Vance & Valiants will close out the festival at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Harlingen Municipal Auditorium will have a performance at 5:30 p.m. today by McMillan School of Dance's Jazz Shop. Saturday and Sunday will showcase the Rio Grande Valley Arts Studio Belly Dancers as well as Reinas de Saba Belly Dancers.
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*For tickets to Pre RioFest events, call the RioFest office at 1-800-746-3378.
MasterCard and Visa Accepted.
2008 Festival Hours:
Friday 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday Noon - 8 p.m.
2008 Admission Ticket Prices:
General Admission: $5
Children 3-12: $1
2 & Under : Free Admission
Parking: $3 per car. Parking organized by a local non profit, they appreciate your support!
Credit Cards or checks are not accepted for the purchase of admission tickets or tokens on the grounds.
CASTAWAY ISLAND STAGE
Friday
6 p.m. Doug Whitaker,
Gun Slinging
Roping Cowboy
6:30 p.m. Chris Marshall
7:30 p.m. James White Eagle Band
SUPER SATURDAY CELEBRATION
Saturday
12:30 p.m. Boneyard
2:15 p.m. Intento
3:45 p.m. G'D UP
5:15 p.m. J Michael Laferty
6:45 p.m. Tracey's Mend
8 p.m. EASY MONEY
RIO ROCKIN' SUNDAY
Sunday
2 p.m. Legs against Arms
3:30 p.m. Bayview Bushriders
5 p.m. Manglin Wranglers
6:30 p.m. VINCE VANCE & VALIANTS
STAR PALACE
STARS OF FRIDAY
Friday
5:30 p.m. Nacho Estrada, Ventriloquist
6 p.m. Ronnie's School of Music
6:30 p.m. HHS South Stars
7 p.m. Nacho Estrada, Ventriloquist
SUPER SATURDAY STARS
Saturday
11:30 a.m. Ronnie's School of Music
1 p.m. Nacho Estrada, Ventriloquist
1:30 p.m. RGV Calypso Hip Hop
2 p.m. RADIO DISNEY
3 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran School Play
4 p.m. Nacho Estrada, Ventriloquist
4:30 p.m. McAllen Parks & Recreation
Folkloric Dancers
5 p.m. RGV Arts Studio Belly Dancers
5:30 p.m. Nacho Estrada, Ventriloquist
6 p.m. RADIO DISNEY
7:30 p.m. Reinas de Saba, Belly Dancers
8 p.m. Nacho Estrada
ROCKIN' SUNDAY STARS
Sunday
1 p.m. RADIO DISNEY
2 p.m. RGV Calypso Hip Hop Dancers
2:30 p.m. RGV Arts Studio Belly Dancers
3 p.m. South Texas College Comedy Crew
4:15 p.m. RADIO DISNEY
Harlingen Municipal Auditorium
Friday
5:30 p.m. JAZZ SHOP McMillan
School of Dance
Saturday
Rio Grande Valley Jazz Festival Continuous performance all day from Outstanding Middle and High School Bands
7:30 p.m. Jazz Festival Awards Program
