By james art 
Laredo, Texas (KGNS) – Abrazo’s ceremony has been part of Washington’s birthday celebrations (WBCA) since 1898, but has also observed its fair share of changes over the years.
Each year, four children dressed in elegant dresses and colonial costumes, along with officials on both sides of the border, meet on the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge for Avrazo’s annual gesture.
However, during the day, the ceremony initially included mainly military officials of men from both the United States and Mexico, where they would walk a hand and a hand in the center of Laredo, symbolizing the merger of two nations.
A volunteer of the International Council for Good Neighbors (IGNC) and WBCA, Candy Hein, has been involved in festivities for over 50 years and says that in 1969, one of the members of her family helped in the intercession for change that will change the ceremony With what it is today.
“My aunt was very active in the community in both WBCA and IGNC. When she was president of IGNC, she decided that the bridge ceremony needed some color, so they added the children to be able to add color to the ceremony, “Hine said.
Children are selected by IGNCL and WBCA to represent the US and Mexico. After the children exchanged their symbolic hugs or “abrasos”, the United States and the Mexican dignitaries meet their colleagues in the middle of the bridge to share the same gesture.
This event is the only time every year when an international bridge connecting the two countries is officially closed to the public.
In a separate article, we hear more from Hein about the history of the ceremony.
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