The 2026 Starr County Fair Parade Marshal is Gilberto “Beto” Perez III. 
He is being recognized for his lifelong dedication and service to the Starr County Fair and Agriculture Education. Perez and his wife, Maria Teresa Perez, longtime sponsors of the Fair, will lead the annual Fair Parade as part of the 2026 festivities on February 21, 2026. 
Beto’s involvement with the Starr County Fair began during his high school years in Roma from 1984 to 1987, when he was an active member of the Roma FFA. His dedication to the Starr County Fair has now spanned more than four decades, and in 2021 he was recognized by the Fair Association as Volunteer of the Year for his unwavering commitment and service. 
A retired Agricultural Science educator, Beto taught at Roma High School for 29 years, where he also served as an FFA sponsor. Although he retired in 2020, his dedication to the Fair and to youth in agriculture remains strong. He actively promotes Agricultural Science by providing agricultural scholarships to graduating Roma High School seniors. 
Currently, Beto serves as a director of the Starr County Fair, following four years as an advisory director. He also holds leadership roles as chairman of the Horticulture Division, Farm Shop Division, and Livestock Committee. His involvement further includes participation in the Fair Cook-Off and serving as a Wild Game Dinner auction sponsor for Vaquero 4-H. “As a director of the Starr County Farm Bureau, I’m always proud to promote agriculture,” Perez shared.  
Beyond the Starr County Fair, Beto continues to volunteer at the Mercedes Livestock Show in Mercedes, Texas. He was hired as one of the Classifiers in the fall of 2025 for the 4-H & FFA Shop Division. 
Beto is the son of Elda G. Perez and the late Gilberto Perez Jr., both of whom were actively involved with the Starr County Fair. His father was a dedicated member of the Beef Syndicate and proudly sponsored Roma High School students’ metal art projects. His mother, a Roma ISD Home Economics teacher for over 30 years, contributed extensively to the Fair’s Arts & Crafts and Baking divisions.