The City of Laredo marks its 269th birthday Saturday, May 18 with a celebration downtown. This special event for the entire community features historical and art exhibits, the Farmers Market, a pop-up shop, cultural performances, tours, and a scavenger hunt. It is free and open to all.
This salute to the City’s rich heritage and unique culture is organized by the Webb County Heritage Foundation and its partners – the Border Heritage Museum, Republic of the Rio Grande Museum, Laredo Main Street, Laredo Center for the Arts, Laredo Cultural District, Webb County Historical Commission, Laredo College, Rio Grande International Study Center, Texas A&M International University, Laredo Film Society, Daphne Art Foundation, The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, the Imaginarium of South Texas, 9Bike6, MileOne, Laredo Philharmonic, Gabriela Mendoza-Garcia Ballet Folklorico, Gallery 201, Laredo Border Slam Poets, and American Legion Post 59.
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. with a cake-cutting ceremony and Happy Birthday wishes at the Border Heritage Museum. Visitors are encouraged to visit the rest of the venues that will be hosting events during the day.
“We are excited to create an event for the community to come together to celebrate their city and their heritage,” said Andrea Ordoñez, Museum Manager at Webb County Heritage Foundation. “We welcome everyone to attend this celebration, to learn about the city’s history, and to support local non-profits and businesses downtown,” she added.
While visitors explore the festivities, they are encouraged to support the downtown culinary scene. Downtown eateries such as El Meson de San Agustin, Livi’s Mexicue, ALA Burger & Alitas, and Los Olvidados will be offering special deals in honor of Laredo’s Birthday Celebration. Plus, Marble Slab Creamery and 7 Brew Coffee will be offering free ice cream and coffee at The Outlet Shoppes Pop-Up event (while supplies last). And for those seeking to extend the festivities, ‘El After,’ a post-celebration event, awaits at Jardin X Contreras.
The Laredo Birthday Celebration is sponsored by the City of Laredo, County of Webb, the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Foundation, Visit Laredo, Laredo College, Texas A&M International University, IBC Bank, The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo, Quickie Bakery, La Posada Hotel, Killam Development, Laredo Philharmonic, Knockout Power Women’s Fitness, Olivia Goren Co., and Andrew Lawson Carranco.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to come together and celebrate Laredo’s past, present, and future.
For updates, please visit www.webbheritage.org, facebook.com/webbheritage, or @webbheritage on Instagram.
