CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Organizers of this year's annual Fiesta de la Flor, a festival in Corpus Christi celebrating the life and legacy of Tejano star Selena Quintanilla, made a big announcement Friday at the American Bank Center.
Last year's festival brought in more than 59,000 people, according to organizers, and at least a billion people around the world heard or read something about the event.
"I'm super honored of that fact that we're on year five," said Suzette Quintanilla-Arriaga, sister of the Tejano music queen. "It's just insane and I'm extremely excited about this year."
Organizers promised it will be the biggest, most exciting Fiesta de la Flor.
This year's two-day festival will include a national Tejano Low-Rider Car Extravaganza.
"We are bringing the Selena movie car, the 'Anything for Selenas' car, to the festival," said Heidi Hovda of the Corpus Chrisit Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Suzette joined representatives from the CVB and CITGO for Friday's announcement.
"I'm bringing Adrienne Bailon from The Real," Quintanilla said. "Most of you might know her from her musical life prior to The Real, from The Cheetah Girls."
Returning for the fifth year in a row is El Mercado with more than 80 artisans from Latin America. There will be food trucks, a kids zone, on-site cerveza stations, and a massive fireworks display as the grand finale.
Of course, the big draw will be the entertainment.
Friday night of the big event will feature Grammy award winner Little Joe y La Familia, Gilbert Velasquez and Friends, and Jon Mikael Mrez.
Saturday's headliners include Leslie Grace, Campanas de America, Jay Perez, Raulito Navaira, Erick y Massore and Jenny and the Mexicats.
"There was a group of girls that came from Australia, they saved their money all year," CVB Executive Director Paulette Kluge said. "More and more people come to share it."
Also returning for the fifth year are the sponsors. CITGO's Larry Elizondo said Fiesta de la Flor is a must-do for our community.
This year's Fiesta de la Flor event is scheduled for April 12-13.