2026 scheduled events ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SCHEDULED

Monday:

(Located at the Entrance) - Anyone donating to our Local Pantries, will find the drop off area just inside the Main Entrance in the designated "FOOD BANK DONATION" area. Make sure to get your Door Prize Ticket as you enter our Main Doors to the Convention Center. 

Door prizes will be announced every 1/2 hour all day long and will be posted at the Information Booth located in the Lobby Area where they will be distributing those prizes.

Please fill out our very short survey at our survey desk in the lobby area for a chance to win prizes, including $100 Cash!! (you do not need to be present to win these prizes or cash when they are drawn on the 12th)

(Lobby) "Karla's Katering" is Open! Come and get something yummy to eat!

(Room #202) Memorabilia and Connection Room is Open. Please visit and let us know what branch of service that you were in, when and where you served throughout the world during the Era. Who knows, you just might find someone HERE that you knew THERE!

10:00am - Main Exhibit Hall - Visit all of our Vendor's Booths 

10:30am - (Main Exhibit Hall) 1st Day of Winterfest & Expo Opening Ceremonies! 

Bagpipe played by Aaron Magana. Color Guard Presenting of the Flags by our Brownsville American Legion Post #43, Jesus Galvan, Frank Mejia, Frank Escobedo, Enrique Martinez, Danny Lopez and Juan Gomez - The National Anthem (Leslie Blasing) Echo Taps by MMA Cadet Jonah Cox from Echo Company and MMA Cadet Noah Trevino from Delta Company from The Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, TX and accompanied by Sargent Major Delvin Smythe, the Commandant of the Cadets and Bandmaster, Keith DiSantis and then a Prayer from Pastor Greg Judd of the Island Baptist Church.  

A big Welcome by our 2026 Winterfest Hostess, Leslie Blasing.

Lobby and Exhibit Hall Cantinas are OPEN from 10am - 4pm. Thank you to Louie's Backyard for the cash bars 

11am - 11:30am - Main Exhibit Hall - Live Entertainment by Leslie Blasing with songs from the Era

11:30am - 12:30pm - The 2026 All-Valley Karaoke Contest with 10 finalists from throughout the Rio Grande Valley

11:30am - Visit the Memorabilia and Connection Room #202.  Please sign up and let us know what branch of service that you were in, when and where you served throughout the world during the Era. Who knows, you just might find someone HERE that you knew THERE! 

12:30pm Main Exhibit Hall - DJ Geoff Clifton will be playing dance music - Line-Dancing, Two-Steppin' and Classic Rock - Don't be shy...Request your favorite song!

12:30pm - Speaker's Auditorium Room #101 - Bob Wendler and Nicole Meadowcroft from Custom Canines Academy from Madison WI - (Auditorium doors close at 11:45am)

1pm - Main Exhibit Hall Stage - Live Music Show from "The Ladybugs Trio" - Melonie, Rennetta and Leslie performing an array of songs that will have you toe tappin' and entertained! 

Visit their Vendor Booth to purchase tickets to their upcoming Production Shows throughout the Valley.

2pm -Visit the Memorabilia and the Connection Room #202.  Please sign up and let us know what branch of service that you were in, when and where you served throughout the world during the Era. Who knows, you just might find someone HERE that you knew THERE!

2:30pm - 3:00pm -Main Exhibit Hall Stage - Leslie Blasing sings tunes from the Vietnam Era

3:30pm - 4:30pm - Main Exhibit Hall Stage - The 2026 All-Valley Karaoke Contest with the 5  finalists from earlier in the day! 

4:30pm - Make sure to take another last-minute visit with our wonderful Vendors!!

4:45pm - Last call for all Door Prizes to be Claimed at the Information Booth

5pm - Doors close for The 2026 Winterfest at 5:00pm - Closed.  Safe travels.   

Thank you for visiting the 2026 Winterfest & Expo and we will see you back here tonight for the Annual Masquerade Ball, Dinner and Dance with doors opening at 6:30pm. 

Purchase your Winterfest T-shirts and Caps next to the Main Exhibit Hall Stage!

AN ENORMOUS THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE NVVs (Non-Volunteer Volunteers - in other words, my very close friends) THAT MADE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE - YOU KNOW THAT I COULD NOT EVEN BEGIN TO DO THIS EVENT WITHOUT YOU!!  THANK YOU AND I LOVE YOU ALL!  SAFE TRAVELS. 

Hilton Garden Inn - (956) 761 - 8700   This property is conveniently located across the road from the SPI Convention Center and is a Beachfront Resort

The Sand Rose - (956) 772 - 7000  This Beachfront property is located right next door to the Hilton Garden Inn and next door to Clayton's and across the road from the SPI Convention Center

La Copa - (956) 761 - 6000 Known for their big breakfast buffet and located close to the bridge.