Lemonader quenches thirsts at RGVLS

MERCEDES - Making lemonade out of lemons.

It's an old saying for making the best out of a bad situation.

But for lemonade virtuoso Roy Devillier, the term takes on a meaning more literal than figurative.

In his seventh year at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show, the Roy's Fresh Lemonade owner hopes to offer relief to more thirsty patrons than ever before.

The lemon aficionado said the RGVLS marks the start of his busiest time of year.

"We spend the winter here in South Texas and we're just at the beginning of our season," he said. "It's excellent down here. The weather is beautiful, the people are wonderful and we just really enjoy coming down."

Devillier said the feedback he gets from the community is overwhelming, saying that his extensive experience is what puts his lemonade head and shoulders above the rest.

"We travel all over the country making Roy's Fresh Lemonade," he said. "We get fabulous feedback because we don't do lemonade. We do Roy's Fresh Lemonade and we have repeat business. People know who we are in the Valley and they come back."

A retired pharmacist, Devillier heard his "second calling" in 1994 after he had difficulty quenching his own thirst at a festival in his native Louisiana.

"I remember thinking to myself that I have to be able to make better lemonade than what is being offered to festival goers," he said.

So Devillier got to work mixing and concocting until he arrived at what he considered to be the perfect blend.
Since perfecting his lemony treat more than a decade ago, Devellier and Roy's Fresh Lemonade have been spotted nation wide, from the Crawfish Festival in Louisiana to the annual Sturgis Harley-Davidson Rally in South Dakota.

Ever the salesman, Devillier used value as a means to woo potential customers.  

 
"We do this around the country throughout the year and you can bring your cup back for refills next year. We don't care," he said. "The cup is $3 and the refill is just $1."