(McAllen, TX)This year’s award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by La Plaza Mall, promises to be a star-studded event that will feature star athletes who are integral members of America’s Team and a chance for free tickets by simply purchasing family favorites at H-E-B stores throughout the Texas border.
“I am so excited to announce that this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade Grand Marshal is Ezekiel Elliott, running back for the Dallas Cowboys,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “As the #1 running back in the league right now, Ezekiel brings such excitement and passion to the game and is so proud to wear silver and blue and that star on his helmet. We know that he will enchant Dallas Cowboys fans of all ages at the parade.”
“If that weren’t enough, he will be joined by his teammates Cole Beasley, who is currently the #1 wide receiver in the league, and Darius Jackson, back-up running back for Ezekiel. This is truly a star-studded line-up,” Rodriguez concluded.
As parade grand marshal, Elliott will lead the parade on one of the first floats. Beasley and Jackson will also be featured on their own floats, allowing fans an opportunity to see their favorite current Dallas Cowboys players throughout the parade.
“I am so proud to have been asked to be the grand marshal for the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Elliott. “I am looking forward to being a part of this amazing holiday celebration.” While Jackson echoed Elliott’s sentiment, Beasley, a Texas native, had this to say:
“I know I will be in Dallas Cowboys Country when I am in McAllen, so I expect to see everyone in their Cowboys gear at the 2016 McAllen Holiday Parade.”
“La Plaza Mall is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor of the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Isabel Rodriguez, director of marketing and business development for La Plaza Mall. “It will be a special treat to see all of the Valley’s Cowboys fans at this year’s celebration. The excitement of the holiday season is evident at La Plaza Mall and we are thrilled to show our continued commitment to our community through this sponsorship.”
Getting a chance to see not only these stars, but also, the illuminated floats, larger-than-life helium balloons and amazing performing bands up-close and personal is one of the advantages of stadium seating. For a family wanting to maximize their dollars during the holiday, one of the best ways to get tickets to the stadium is to take advantage of an incredible promotion being offered by Kraft at Texas border H-E-B stores.
“We are honored to celebrate the reason for the season with our beloved McAllen community during the most anticipated holiday event of the year,” said Tony Gonzalez, Director of Merchandising and Marketing H-E-B Border Region. “This exclusive partnership is our way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support of H-E-B throughout the Rio Grande Valley.”
Starting on November 9, visit your local H-E-B store and purchase your three favorite Kraft/Heinz products. Take your H-E-B cash register receipt to the McAllen Convention Center, located at 700 Convention Boulevard to redeem your receipt for a ticket to the parade. The promotion continues through November 29, but supplies are limited. Tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
“Once again, the Kraft Heinz family of products is honored to partner with H-E-B and the McAllen Holiday Parade in bringing such signature event to the community, filled with holiday cheer, delicious food and fun entertainment for the entire family,” said Judy Anderson, Kraft Heinz Company South Area Shopper Marketing Lead. “Along with H-E-B, we continue our long-term commitment of serving the community of McAllen. We look forward to building on the parade’s success from last year and are excited to join in the celebration of this year’s festive holiday tradition!”
The parade will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 and is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas. The parade features 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. 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. Stadium seating tickets are also available for purchase at the McAllen Convention Center, a free Park & Ride Polar Express Shuttle will be offered by Metro McAllen at South Texas College and volunteers are needed for the event. For more information on the parade and related activities, visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com.
The Texas Fightin’ Aggie Band from Texas A&M University is the step-off band for the parade, which features the theme Entertainment on Parade.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by La Plaza Mall. Additional sponsors include Kraft Heinz; H-E-B; Bert Ogden Fiesta Dealerships; Pharr Family Pharmacies, as well as L&F Distributors-Budweiser; City of McAllen Bridge Department; McAllen Public Utility; Pepsico; Dairy Queen; Lacks; Sprint; Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; McAllen Economic Development Corporation/Reynosa McAllen Maquila Association; McAllen International Airport; IDEA Public Schools; IBC Bank; Navy Army Community Credit Union; Doctors Hospital at Renaissance; AEP Texas; Metro Connect; Stripes; Spaw Glass; City of McAllen Public Works-Recycling; Carollo Engineers; Palenque Grill; Tres Lagos; ERO Architects; Halff Associates, Inc.; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; Inter-National Bank; Meldon & Hunt, Inc.; Rio Bank; AT&T; BBVA Compass; Cigna Healthcare; Plains Capital; Rio Grande Regional Hospital; McAllen ISD; KNVO-Ch. 48 Univision; KGBT-Ch. 4, CBS; KRGV-Ch. 5, ABC; KTLM-Ch. 40, Telemundo; Univision Radio KGBT 98.5; R Communications; iHeartRadio Wild 104 FM; The Monitor; El Periódico, U.S.A.; Advance News Journal; Revista Expresión; and Lamar Outdoor Advertising.
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