MHP goes Vaquero with UTRGV Marching Band as lead step-off band; community invited to participate in shoebox parade; volunteers; and high school marching bands
Earlier today, organizers for the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group , surrounded by bands, cheerleaders, dancers and mascots of McAllen I.S.D., announced that the UTRGV Vaquero Marching Band will serve as this year’s lead step-off band for the 11th annual presentation of the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade when it steps off from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The line-up of high school marching bands was unveiled, as were the details for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade.
“We are incredibly proud that the UTRGV Vaquero Marching Band will once again be the lead step-off band for the McAllen Holiday Parade. This opportunity allows our talented students to showcase their musical excellence and school spirit, while also representing the vibrant culture of the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dr. Guy Bailey, President of UTRGV. “The parade is an iconic community event, and we are honored to play a key role in bringing joy and holiday cheer to the thousands of people who attend each year.”
Joining the UTRGV Vaquero Marching Band will be the best high school marching bands in the Rio Grande Valley. Including McAllen Memorial High School; McAllen High School; Nikki Rowe High School; La Joya Juarez-Lincoln High School; PSJA North High School; PSJA Southwest High School; Economedes High School; Robert Vela High School; Sharyland High School; Sharyland Pioneer High School; and San Houston High School from San Antonio. The bands were selected to offer an array of styles and traditions, reflecting the rich tapestry of cultures and communities that come together during the holiday.
There is still time for high school marching bands from throughout the region to be a part of the eight-time internationally recognized Best Parade in the World. Participating bands will receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with expenses related to appearing in the parade. Bands interested in bringing the sounds of the holidays to the McAllen Holiday Parade should contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department to apply to participate in the parade by calling Sergio Garcia at (956) 681-3320 or by emailing at PARDmarketing@mcallen.net.
“I’m so proud highlight the continued partnership between the City of McAllen and McAllen I.S.D. for one of our city’s most beloved events—the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said McAllen Mayor Pro Tem Omar Quintanilla. “Year after year, this parade brings together families, friends, and visitors to experience the magic of the holiday season, and none of it would be possible without the strong partnership we have with McAllen I.S.D. By working together, we’re able to use this fantastic stadium as the starting point for the parade, creating a seamless and exciting launch for the event that sets the tone for an unforgettable evening.”
McAllen Independent School District Superintendent thanked the City of McAllen for developing the McAllen Holiday Parade, where so many of their students are featured. “Thank you for believing in the dream of creating one of the world’s best parades, but more importantly thank you for creating a parade where thousands of our students can be seen and celebrated.”
While tickets for the parade are already on sale now, anyone wishing to be a part of the parade, can volunteer as balloon handlers and banner carriers. Over the years, the City of McAllen volunteer experience is one-of-a-kind.
Balloon handler volunteers must be 18 years or over, while banner carriers must be 16 years or over. All volunteers must go through a background check and will receive gloves, t-shirt and snacks. Learn more by visiting Las Palmas Community Center located at 1921 N 25th Street or by calling Las Palmas at (956) 681-3350.
Balloon handlers will be part of the phenomenon which happens only at the McAllen Holiday Parade known as the “Vuelta,” which is when the giant balloons are spin around when the crowd cheers. Before the parade steps off, they will also have a chance to compete in the “Vuelta” Spin-Off Contest, where crowd applause will determine the ultimate winner. This year, Sponge Bob Square Pants, making his MHP debut appearance, will square off against 2023 Vuelta Spin-Off Champion Mighty Mouse. The only place to the see this unique contest will be in stadium, as part of the pre-parade festivities.
Finally, organizers announced details of the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade, a pintsize celebration of the big parade, where everyone in the region has an opportunity to submit a holiday parade entry – on a shoebox. Open to children, adults, families, schools, non-profits and civic organizations, all creativity and imagination is invited to participate. MHP tickets and swag will be given to every entry for this year’s parade. The grand prize will be VIP MHP Stadium Tickets and Meet & Greet Passes for the 2025 presentation of the parade along with and a $50 VISA gift card for 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Winning entries will be announced at the 2025 Christmas in July press conference. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 27, 2024 by 12:00 p.m. at McAllen City Hall, Office of Communications. The winning entries will be premiered in a televised production in stadium, on MCN and on all streaming platforms on Saturday, December 7, right before the McAllen Holiday Parade steps off.
Already announced celebrities include Dallas Cowboys Legend & Super Bowl Champion Tony Tolbert who will make an appearance at the parade, along with celebrity hosts Mario Lopez and Linda Tovar for the English rebroadcast of the parade and Julian Gil for the Spanish-language rebroadcast. The McAllen Holiday Parade airs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the top 33 U.S. Hispanic markets, while airing live locally on every network. Tickets for the parade are already on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. For the latest information on the parade, follow McAllen Holiday Parade and the City of McAllen on all social media platforms.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogen Auto Group and proudly sponsored by McAllen International Airport, South Padre Island CVB, Reliant and Lone Star National Bank. Other sponsors of the McAllen Holiday Parade include University of Texas RGV; Lone Star Ambulance; J Gonzalez Injury Attorneys; Budweiser-L&F Distributors; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Metro McAllen; South Texas Vo-Tech; South Texas I.S.D.; PepsiCo.; Matt’s Building Materials; Valley Aids Council; South Texas College; McDonald’s; Driscoll Children’s Hospital; Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley; American Electric Power Foundation; McAllen Public Works/McAllen Recycling Center; Explore McAllen; McAllen Shines; IBC; Rhodes & Esperanza Homes; Lacks; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; Hermes; McAllen I.S.D.; Linebarger Attorney at Law; General Mills; PNC Bank; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Pollux Castor Creative; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Peña Eye Institute; KSA Engineers; Plains Capital Bank; Carollo Engineers; Palenque Group; Halff Associates; B2Z Engineering; City of Puerto Vallarta; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc. and Diocese of Brownsville. Media partners for the parade include Nexstar CBS4-NBC23; iHeart Radio; Radio United; Latino Media Network; AIM Media; Revista Expresión; El Periodico U.S.A.; Advance News; Lamar; Más Music; Noticias RGV 5.2; Entravision; KRGV Channel 5,; TV Azteca; Telemundo 40; SOCIALIFE.
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@mcallenparade @mcallenholidayparade McAllen Holiday Parade
