Special to the PRESS
Once again, Laguna Madre area veterans will have the opportunity to learn about available services without traveling outside their community. On Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, from 3- 6 p.m., Laguna Madre VetFest will be held for the third time at the Port Isabel Event and Cultural Center.
Laguna Madre VetFest was launched last August and returned in February due to its overwhelming support from the community, with nearly 500 veterans and their spouses attending the two events. Though the Laguna Madre VetFest is being held for the benefit of veterans and active-duty military who are residents of the Laguna Madre area, all veterans who live or are visiting the Rio Grande Valley are welcome to come.
According to event organizers, the mission behind VetFest is multifaceted. It strives to bring together veterans, active-duty military, and their families who live in Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Laguna Heights and Laguna Vista, allow Laguna Madre area veterans to network with one another and to learn about what resources are available to them, and provide veterans with beneficial information from community partners, including commercial, non-profit, and government entities.
Laguna Madre VetFest features over 50 exhibitors offering products and services geared toward veterans. Exhibitors will have raffle prizes and other goodies to give away. Free food from local veteran-owned businesses, Little Caesars of Port Isabel and Porky’s Pit BBQ, will be provided for the attendees.
The event will open with a patriotic program which will be followed by live music from acclaimed local musicians, Brett Marshall and Roy Garcia. All veterans, active-duty military, dependents, spouses, and widows of service members are invited to attend Laguna Madre VetFest free of charge. They are asked to bring proof of their military service, as this event is not open to all members of the public.
“From my experience in serving veterans throughout the Rio Grande Valley, I came to believe that the veteran population in the Laguna Madre area was underserved,” said Amy Robinson, Executive Director of Laguna Madre VetFest. “I guess I was right! We were gratified to see so many veterans attend the event and let us know how beneficial it was to them. There are lots of resources available to our veterans, but so many won’t learn about these services unless they travel to events in Harlingen or Brownsville. We were pleased that so many organizations were willing to bring their information here to Port Isabel.”
A special aspect of the past events has been a pinning ceremony to honor certain veteran groups. Texas State Senator Morgan LaMantia pinned Vietnam-era veterans and welcomed them home last August. She returned in February to pin women veterans.
“We’re looking forward to Senator LaMantia joining us again this month to pin Purple Heart recipients. These combat veterans gave so much for our country, and we can’t wait to honor them,” said Robinson.
“Laguna Madre VetFest has been made possible by our generous sponsors,” Robinson added. “and we couldn’t do it without them.”
This year’s sponsors include CenterWell Senior Primary Care, Warriors United in Arms, IBC Bank, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 121, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 856, and American Legion Post 498.
Any organization, government agency, or business that offers services or products for veterans is invited to participate as an exhibitor. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Interested parties can contact Robinson or Rachel Ruiz by phone at (956) 433-0174 or email LMVetFest@gmail.com for more information. Registration for attendees and exhibitors is available on the event’s Facebook page, Laguna Madre VetFest.
Comments