A student mariachi group from a sister school serenaded visitors at Festival de Cascarones Sunday, April 29, at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Mariachi Internacional is from Texas A&M International University in Laredo.
“We got invited to perform outside of a private party, greeting guests with music as they are coming into the festival,” said Samantha Lopez, Mariachi Internacional president, in an interview at the event.
One of the most famous songs they played was “Sones De Veracruz” by Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Fernando Martínez. The crowd danced, laughed and sang along as the mariachi group played.
“This event is very family oriented; there are little kids and there are so many dogs,” said Lopez, who sings for the mariachi.
As the mariachi group greeted visitors, the musicians had a good time getting to know the campus.
“I like this campus, it’s small and it seems that everyone knows each other,” Lopez said.
Lopez said A&M-San Antonio is a lot like Texas — welcoming, and it feels like home.
“Everyone being so friendly reminds me of Texas where everyone is always friendly and family oriented,” Lopez said.
“With Texas being so friendly so are the people here at the festival,” Lopez said.
This was Lopez’s first year attending Festival de Cascarones, and she said she would come back with her family.
“This is somewhere I know my family would love to come and I would bring them next year,” Lopez said.
Under the direction of Dr. Oswaldo Zapata, Mariachi Internacional has performed at numerous events in Laredo and mariachi concerts.