(McAllen, TX)  The 2016 McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by La Plaza Mall, is looking for the young, and young at heart, to be a part of the tradition of making dreams come true for everyone at this year’s magical celebration.  The parade, to be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon paradein Texas. The parade features more than 50 vibrant lighted floats, 36 larger than life inflatable character balloons, 13 bands and a celebrity filled line-up and this year, features the musical theme of Entertainment on Parade.

 

“La Plaza Mall is thrilled to be aligned with the McAllen Holiday Parade for the third year in a row.  Community is a cornerstone at La Plaza Mall and we are so proud to be a part of such a wonderful tradition and look forward to sharing the holiday season with the McAllen community,” said Roberto Luciano, La Plaza Mall General Manager.

 

The one and a half mile long parade route begins at 6:00 p.m., starting from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 North Bicentennial Boulevard, where reserved seating is available and heads south on Bicentennial Boulevard to Business U.S. Business 83, where free seating is available along the route on a first come, first serve basis.

 

The Texas A&M Fighting Aggie Band will kick off the parade entertainment with an on-field performance before the start of the parade.  Joining the band will be local children’s dance and choir groups, and the culturally popular Hispanic holiday tradition of La Posada, which reenacts Joseph & Mary’s search for lodging. 

 

“The McAllen Holiday Parade has quickly become a part of the holiday tradition for so many families celebrating the most joyous of seasons,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.  “As each new element is unveiled, all with the intent of delighting and thrilling our community, I hope that everyone makes plans to be a part of such a special event for us all.”

 

Tickets to view the parade from Veterans Memorial Stadium go on sale starting at 10:00 a.m. this Friday, October 21, 2016, at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office, 700 Convention Center Boulevard.The stadium seats 13,000, so join neighbors, friends and visitors in McAllen for one of the best seats in the house for the parade. Tickets prices are:  $10, $20, and $30 plus fees.     Cash or credit/debit cards are accepted at the box office or visitwww.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

 

Getting the family to the parade will not be difficult, as the City of McAllen, in partnership with South Texas College, will offer a free Polar Express Park & Ride from the Pecan Boulevard campus parking lot to the parade drop-off location.  Starting at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, trolleys will make a continuous loop every 10 minutes, from pick-up point at STC to the parade drop-off point.  Additionally, with almost 15 designated parking lots scattered from Nolana Avenue south to Pecan Boulevard, attendees are encouraged to park and get in place early to avoid road closures which will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the heavy event traffic congestion, as approximately 220,000 spectators will line the streets of McAllen to view the McAllen Holiday Parade.  Public restroom facilities will be located throughout the parade route. 

 

For those who are in the giving spirit, the greatest gift one can give is the gift of time.  Give back in a big way by becoming a city event volunteer. Join in the fun and build a family tradition.  More than 220,000 attendees are expected to attend the McAllen Holiday Parade and Christmas in the Park events and they both rely on a dedicated team of volunteers to ensure the events continue to entertain and delight the audiences on the street, watching television and participating.  Working together, volunteers help create excitement, build family traditions and celebrate the holidays.  Some of the volunteer tasks will include serving as ushers, balloon handlers, and assisting staff with various tasks.

 

Visit www.volunteerssotx.org today and click on the links to register to become a volunteer.  Please note, to ensure the safety of all citizens, employees, guests and resources involved with and attending the event, the City of McAllen will conduct background checks on volunteers.

 

“The City of McAllen is proud to host the McAllen Holiday Parade for our community and visitors to the Rio Grande Valley,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. 

 

The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by La Plaza Mall.  Additional sponsors include Kraft Heinz; HEB; Bert Ogden Fiesta Dealerships; Pharr Family Pharmacies, as well as McAllen Public Utility; City of McAllen Bridge Department; Budweiser; Pepsi; McAllen International Airport; Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; McAllen Economic Development  Corporation/McAllen-Reynosa Maquila Association; Lacks; Carrollo; IBC Bank; AEP Texas; Taco Palenque; Tres Lagos; Metro McAllen; Spawglass; City of McAllen Public Works; Halff; Raba Kistner; Inter-National Bank; Melden & Hunt, Inc.; KNVO-Ch. 48 Univision; KGBT-Ch. 4, CBS; KRGV-Ch. 5, ABC; KTLM-Ch. 40, Telemundo; Clear Channel; R Communications; Univision Radio; Wild 104 FM; The Monitor; El Periódico, U.S.A.; Advance News Journal; deShopping; Revista Expresión; and Lamar Outdoor Advertising. 

 

“This year will mark the third year the parade will make its way down Bicentennial, thanks to City of McAllen staff, volunteers and the event’s generous sponsors,” said City of McAllen District 3 Commissioner Hilda Salinas.

 

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