By Pat Trevino | 9/15/2025
CUERO — Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church marked its centennial Jamaica with a celebration that felt both historic and deeply familiar, bringing back the sights, sounds, and traditions that generations of Cuero families have helped sustain.
Joe Adams and his son‑in‑law, Brian Cromeens — auctioneers who have served the parish for more than 14 years — once again took the stage, continuing a role that has become part of the Jamaica’s rhythm and identity. Their steady presence reflects how much of the event’s success rests on long‑standing dedication.
And of course, there would be no Jamaica without the families whose commitment spans decades: the Varela family, the Villarreal family, the Anzalduas, the Ybarras, the Liendo family, and many others whose names may not all be listed but whose faces and bloodlines are unmistakably woven into the parish’s history. For countless Cuero families, the Jamaica is more than an annual fundraiser — it is a tradition passed down from parents and grandparents who woke up early, worked hard, endured the heat, and ensured the celebration never faded.
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This year’s centennial also highlighted a growing group of new parishioners and volunteers who have embraced the responsibility of keeping the Jamaica strong. Their energy and willingness to step forward show that the tradition is not only being preserved — it is being renewed. These newer faces, working alongside the families who have carried the Jamaica for generations, reflect a parish community that continues to grow and evolve while honoring its roots.
Several beloved activities returned after years of absence thanks to the persistence and dedication of volunteers such as Isabel Patton, Connie Trevino, and Sylvia Ortiz. The dunking booth, the fishing pond, face painting, the children’s train ride, and the cake walk all delighted families throughout the day. Long‑time parishioners and newer families worked side by side to make the celebration possible.
Music filled the church grounds throughout the afternoon and evening, adding to the festive atmosphere and reminding everyone why the Jamaica has long been known for its lively entertainment and cultural spirit.
For many, the day stirred memories of earlier years — especially the era when the Hernandez family ran the Bingo booth, a favorite for generations. The prizes displayed in the center, the square bench where players gathered, and the excitement of calling out numbers created a familiar rhythm that parishioners still remember fondly.
The celebration also brought back thoughts of the pageantry that once defined the Jamaica, when queens were crowned and the community rallied around the tradition. Those moments of pride and ceremony remain part of the event’s history, adding to the sense of nostalgia felt throughout the centennial celebration.
The centennial Jamaica offered more than activities and entertainment — it offered a sense of belonging. It was a day to see familiar faces, welcome those who have moved away and returned, and watch children experience the same joys their parents and grandparents once did. Despite the humidity and heat, the crowd’s spirit never faded.
As the parish celebrates its centennial year, the Jamaica continues to embody what has sustained Our Lady of Guadalupe for a century: faith, family, and community — carried forward by the people who show up year after year, and now by a new generation hopefully eager to keep the tradition alive.
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