Winter Visitors and Birdwatchers

The Winter Visitors Committee sponsors a range of annual events including movies, lectures, trips, tours, golf, food, and other entertainment. The activities, created to help visitors make new and lasting friendships, are open to any winter visitor and are Del Rio's way of kicking off the new visitor season. The Chamber of Commerce, the city of Del Rio, local civic organizations, and area businesses all welcome winter visitors to the area.

Del Rio typically welcomes over 350 visitors in December from each of the RV travel parks, from the Days Inn Fun Bunch, from campers at Lake Amistad, and from Brackettville and Fort Clark Springs. Many wintering friends have been coming to Del Rio for 10, 15, and even over 20 years to escape the harsh northern winters and to enjoy Del Rio's hopsitality. These folks also avoid the congestion and rising cost of other "snowbird meccas" such as Florida, the valley of Texas, and Arizona.

The Winter Visitor Welcome Party is December 15 at the Civic Center. The party is from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and includes barbecue, entertainment, and more. Call the Chamber office at (830) 775-3551 for more information.

The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is at Greenwood Park. In the same theme, the Del Rio Christmas Light Parade, beginning on Ogden Street and traveling down South Main, occurs December 6 at 6:00 pm. 'Tis the best way to start the holiday season.

The Ninth Annual Parade of Trees is happening December 6, 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm, at the Whitehead Memorial Museum. Come enjoy Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and winter fun.

The Arts & Crafts Fair on February 1 is an opportunity for folks to show or sell their crafts and to view and purchase the art of others. The fair lasts from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is located at the Civic Center.

The Winter Visitor Farewell Party is March 9, 2003, at the Civic Center, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The party includes a luncheon for Del Rio's favorite visitors.

Holiday Trav-L-Park was the winner of the 1st Annual Farewell Table Top Decorating Contest. The 2001-2002 season Farewell Party included a challenge for each of the RV parks and groups to construct a special table decoration. Cash awards were $100 for first place, $50 for second, and $25 for third. Two of the winners, Holiday Trav-L-Park and Days Inn Fun Bunch, were kind enough and thought enough of Del Rio to donate back their prize monies to local organizations for their continued support.