(McAllen, TX) – Today, the City of McAllen unveiled this year’s theme for the McAllen Holiday Parade, “Entertainment on Parade,” as well as announcing that The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band of Texas A&M University would be the step-off band in the parade.  The third annual McAllen Holiday Parade, the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas, will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016, starting at 6:00 p.m. 

“The McAllen Holiday Parade is designed with keeping the entire family entertained and excited,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.  “This year’s theme, ‘Entertainment on Parade,’ will engage the audience of all ages.  Further, what better band to step-off the parade than one of the most highly respected performing university bands, the Texas A&M University Aggie Band, that awes and delights fans and rivals, alike.”

The parade will feature more than 50 vibrant lighted floats, over 30 larger than life inflatable character balloons, bands and a celebrity filled line-up. The 1.5 mile long parade route begins at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, where reserved seating is available and heads south on Bicentennial Boulevard to Business U.S. 83, where free seating is available along the route on a first come, first serve basis.

City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department staff have already begun designing and building some of the floats that will be featured in the parade.  The floats are colorful, completely illuminated and this year, will feature an interactive element that will appeal to every audience member.  

According to City of McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E., the selection of the Aggie Band was two-fold.  Aside from the exciting musicianship and performance the band consistently delivers, the City of McAllen hopes to attract university bands to the parade to expose McAllen and Rio Grande Valley youth to all of the options offered by attending university. 

“Our goal is to entertain both residents and visitors alike, but especially, encourage the youth to find out more about what universities and colleges can offer,” Rodriguez added.

Last year, over 240,000 people lined the streets of McAllen, to view the parade.  It was televised live on all local media outlets and northern Mexico and later rebroadcast across the United States in Hispanic-heavy cities on Christmas Day on Telemundo to a network audience of over four million.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities for the parade, contact the McAllen Convention Center at (956) 681-3800.  For more information about the parade, please visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com or call the City of McAllen at (956) 681-1200.

# # #