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GOLIAD – Cinco de Mayo is as Texan a tradition as you can get. The melding between Mexican and Texan tradition is epitomized in the very spot where Cinco de Mayo’s hero, General Ignacio Zaragoza was born, Goliad. Ranging reporter Christina Burke sat down with Goliad’s Sherry Garcia, chairwoman of Miss Zaragoza Pageant for the past six years. The General Ignacio Zaragoza Society sponsors the pageant.

Q: What is the General Ignacio Zaragoza Society?

A: The society, which began in 1944, is a non-profit 501c. Our reason for being is to help children pursue higher education. We donate six to eight scholarships a year to high school students from Goliad. Anyone is welcome to apply for the scholarships that range anywhere from $250 to $750.

Q: What is the Miss Zaragoza Pageant?

A: The pageant began in 1972. It is a scholarship pageant. We have three categories: Little Miss, Jr. Miss, and Miss Zaragoza. The winners serve on the court in parades and public functions and do fundraisers for the scholarships.

The winner of the Miss Zaragoza gets a $500 scholarship when they graduate and are registered in an accredited college. The pageant is very colorful. The dresses the girls wear represent states in Mexico and come in every color you can think of. In addition to the coronation event the local ballet folklorico will perform.

Q: When is the pageant held?

A: Saturday, April 26, at the Goliad high school auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $2 adults, $1 students at the door.

Q: When will the Miss Zaragoza Queen be chosen?

A: She will be chosen that Saturday night at pageant. It’s a full day for the girls. They begin with a luncheon where they meet and greet the judges and talk to them in a one-on-one situation. At the pageant that night they will answer questions on stage. For the Miss Zaragoza, who is vying for a scholarship, her questions pertain to the history of Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza. For the younger girls the questions are more personal.

Q: How do young women apply?

A: They have to be a resident of Goliad County, have high moral standards, and good grades. The judging is based on their personality, their outspokenness and their ability to represent the organization.

Q: How old does nominee have to be?

A: Little Miss 5 to 8 years old, Jr. Miss 9 to13 years old, Miss Zaragoza 14 to 18

Q: Who was Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza?

A: Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza led the Mexican army in the battle against the French troops that were invading Puebla, Mexico, on May 5, 1862; his army defeated the French, and Gen. Zaragoza is considered the hero of Cinco de Mayo.

Q: What other events is the society planning?

A: The Texas state legislature designated Goliad, the birthplace of Gen. Zaragoza, as the official state site to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. The society will hold a fiesta May 2 and 3 at the Goliad county fairgrounds on U.S. 183. The times are 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. There will be live entertainment, food booths, jewelry, and entertainment for children. In addition, the queen and her court will be there helping to raise scholarship funds.

Christina Burke is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6516 or cburke@vicad.com or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.