Call for parade entries, runners for 4K race
The City of McAllen is getting ready for this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration, presented by H-E-B, and is inviting the community to take part in all of the patriotic festivities. The 96th Annual Independence Day Celebration will take place on Thursday, July 4, 2024 with an early morning 4K race, a patriotic program, immediately followed by the Main Street Parade and then Freedom Festival, a family-friendly festival held at Archer Park. Music, food, and games will be highlights of the events. The event will conclude with the H-E-B Concert in the Sky Fireworks Extravaganza.
The deadline to submit an application for an entry in this year’s Main Street Parade is right around the corner and organizers are encouraging civic and youth groups, nonprofit organizations, and especially, veterans and veterans’ groups to participate in the parade and other festivities.
“We encourage everyone to come together and help us celebrate America’s 248th birthday together as a community by participating in the Main Street Parade and enjoying all of the day’s festivities,” said Denny Meline, McAllen Parks & Recreation Department Director. “The McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will be unveiling some unique, festive, and patriotic floats this year and we hope this year’s entries reflect the excitement of being able to celebrate.”
All entries should feature a patriotic theme. Entries should fit into one of the following categories: antique vehicles; marching/walking; color guard; vehicle club; float; horses; band; or pageant. For more guidelines and information, please see entry application.
Entries for businesses are $250 and non-profits can enter at no cost as long as a 501 C(3) is provided.
Entry forms for the parade are available by request by emailing pardmarketing@mcallen.net, calling the office at 956-681-3320, or stopping by the McAllen Parks & Recreation Office at 2001 Trophy Drive. The deadline for parade entries is Friday, June 14, 2024. There will be a parade entry meeting with all participants the week before the event.
The parade will step off from Houston Avenue at McAllen City Hall and travel north along Main Street until Beech Avenue. For more information, visit www.mcallenparks.net or follow the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @mcallenparks.
The day will kick off with an Independence Day 4K Run starting at 7:00 a.m. The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with Team Red, White and Blue, a national veterans’ organization whose mission it is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. The race is part of the McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series and runners who complete all four of the races and a race on Marathon Day will receive a series medal. Registration is open at www.mcallenmarathon.com and the registration fee is $35. Awards in different age categories will be presented at the race.
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