SpaceX's Starbase launch site is located on Boca Chica Beach, near the city of Brownsville, which elon Musk, the company's founder, calls "the gateway to Mars."
This Southern Texas city shares culture with the city of Matamoros in The Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Since 1937, the two bordering cities have celebrated their friendship by hosting the Charro Day Fiesta every year. The celebration highlights their common heritage through a number of festive events, including the annual parade. The celebration is scheduled for February 19-27.
The "Charo fiesta parade" will take place along Elizabeth Street through historic downtown Brownsville, Texas. During this festival, everyone parades through the streets dressed in Mexican folklore costumes and beautiful floats.
Students from the Rio Grande Valley, as well as local organizations and businesses, will participate in the Night Light Parade and the Day Parade on February 25 and February 26. Participating businesses help sponsor the celebrations. Brownsville officials and the "Amigo" Mr. Association recently shared that SpaceX is one of the sponsors of the 2022 event.
Last year, SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk pledged $20 million to schools in Cameron County and $10 million to the renaissance of downtown Brownsville. The Musk Foundation has donated a portion of its funding to local schools and the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.
On Feb. 8, students and city representatives from the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD) visited SpaceX's "Star Base" and produced a video inviting Musk to the Charlotte Day Carnival Parade. The video is as follows:
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Dr. Jessica Tetrous, Commissioner of The 2nd District of Brownsville, and Dr. René Gutiérrez, Director of International Development, organized the gathering, at which he said: "Musk donated funds ... We're thrilled that he can give back to us, and we hope he'll join us in our celebrations in Brownsville, especially charo' festival." ”
Students at Steyr Middle School wore folk costumes and danced in front of Rocket Factory's huge "Star Base" sign. They also made signs to express their gratitude to the SpaceX team.
Ms. Joanie, a local teacher, said: "I am very grateful to SpaceX and Elon Musk for their contributions to BISD and the opportunities they have brought to my students. Having such a big thing in our backyard made me realize that the future of all my students would be bright! ”
The teenage students were so excited to see the shiny starships on their way that many said they hoped to one day travel to Mars. One spaceX employee even walked up to the students and said that the next time they came, he wanted to organize a visit to the Rocket Ship Factory and give them Starship-themed stickers.
I have to say that having a good neighbor like SpaceX is really a rare thing for education, and I believe that what students see and hear through the "Starship" factory has become a small seed and buried in the hearts of children.