La Feria Holds 12th Annual Independence Day Festival

by Tony Vindell/LFN

Youngsters played till they dropped. Adults enjoyed BBQ sandwiches, loaded potatoes or taquitos.

A DJ played a variety of tunes, ranging from cumbias to Tex-Mex and country.

Fireworks lit the sky and everybody looked up in amazement.

That’s is how scores of residents celebrated Independence Day on June 30th.

The city-sponsored event took place at the Veterans Memorial Park and it included several fundraising activities, one of which is to upgrade the recently unveiled Veterans Memorial Monument – a project largely implemented by

La Feria Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Pro Tem Eric Hoff and City Manager Jaime Sandoval greeted and welcomed the crowd on behalf of the city.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank two groups – our veterans and our first responders,” Hoff said.

“God bless our veterans. God bless La Feria. God bless the USA.”

Among those attending the city celebration was Doug Hansen, a Nebraska native moved here about two decades ago after building commercial projects in the Midwest and other regions of the country.

“I like the community here,” he said. “The weather is a plus and the people are nice and easy to get along with.”

As the celebration went on, some youngsters participated in sack races while others played on a water slide as if there was not no end to it.

David Phinney, chief with the volunteer fire and rescue department, got into the fun by joining the races.

The city has been hosting the celebration for the last 12 years and it uses the occasion to acknowledge those who have served or still are serving their country.