By Ricardo Cavazos

The spirit and legacy of local farming history runs strong at the Eschete Livestock Company on Mile 2 West Road. 

It’s there where Victoria Eschete talks enthusiastically of the upcoming South Texas Farm Fest on November 5 at the Mercedes Dome Safe Center. The all-day Saturday event in early November will feature a number of events and attractions. The overall goal is to raise historical awareness about the history of Mercedes.

“Embracing tradition and honoring our history,’’ says the wording that is part of the Farm Fest logo.

Agriculture is a big part of the present in Mercedes. It played a huge role in the city’s founding in the early 1900s. Eschete is well aware how important farming and ranching were to the beginnings of Mercedes. She is currently taking part in the inaugural class of Leadership Mercedes. The class has touched on a number of aspects of community life. When discussions turned to local history, the lack of a local museum to tell the city’s story came into view. 

How is it that Mercedes has existed for over 100 years and yet has no historical museum? 

“We’ve talked about the importance of history, wanting a museum, but not havting one in Mercedes,’’ Eschete said. “Having that conversation did it for me. We need a celebration of our people and how we (in Mercedes) got started.’’

Those discussions led to the efforts to have the Farm Fest. Its goal goes beyond highlighting the city’s agricultural history. There will be visual presentations on topics like banking, pointing out that some of the first state banks in the Rio Grande Valley opened in Mercedes. Eschete hopes to have speakers at the November 5 event who can speak about the overall historical aspects of Mercedes community and business life. 

Then there will also be just plain fun things to do at Farm Fest. There will be food trucks, kiddie rides, an outdoor market, live music, local vendors, and a super farmer contest. Historical items about Mercedes history will be found inside the Dome, which is located at 1202 N. Vermont. Admission is $5 for the event which will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the start of a Mercedes historical museum.

“A museum is not going to happen next year,’’ Eschete said. “It’s going to take some time, but now there’s a seed to get some momentum going.’’

Youthful Participation 

The organizers of the Farm Fest are working to involve local youth in the endeavor.

One youth leader is Xandira Rodriguez, a senior at Mercedes High School. She is actively involved in Future Farmers of America and 4-H. Xanderia also serves on the student council of Mercedes High. She is enthusiastic about her hometown and its history.

“I see my role being to get more youth involved in the agricultural part of our history,’’ Xanderia said during a recent visit at Eschete Livestock. “We have lots of great history here in Mercedes. We’re known for having the livestock show, which is great, but we’re more than just one thing.’’

Another student, Hailey Eschete, a freshman at Mercedes High, is working to spread the word at her school about Farm Fest.

“I’m telling everyone that it’s important we all get together and work together to do something nice for out city,’’ Hailey said.

A third student, Kaitlyn Hendricks, a Mercedes High freshman, spoke enthusiastically of the impact FFA and 4-H makes in her life and how connected agriculture is to Mercedes.

“An organization like FFA is more than an ag club,’’ Kaitlyn said. “We learn about leadership, public speaking and how to talk to people. You learn how to carry yourself and getting knowledge and learning how to use it.’’

Building Excitement

Victoria Eschete and other Farm Fest organizers want to tap into youthful enthusiasm and the support of the community to put on a successful event. Farm Fest has drawn support from the city of Mercedes and the Development Corporation of Mercedes, as well as other local organizations and entities.

“Right now is the right time because we have the right people,’’ Victoria said. “I’m excited. We’re passionate about our history and having a museum to tell our story. We’re good enough. We matter.’’