(McAllen, TX) Amidst the excitement of the new La Plaza Mall parking garage grand opening celebration, today, the IFEA-award winning McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by La Plaza Mall, announced its final list of celebrities that will be a part of the largest illuminated holiday parade in the state of Texas beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 North Bicentennial.
Joining the star-studded line-up that includes NFL leading rusher Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys and his teammates Cole Beasley and Darius Jackson, as well as international celebrities of TV, film, music and radio, are America’s Sweethearts, members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and six tribute bands that will delight and who will all help bring the Entertainment on Parade theme to life.
“The McAllen Holiday Parade is designed with keeping the entire family entertained and excited, and what better time to do that than during the holidays when so many family traditions are created around magical moments, like the special reason for the celebration, Santa Claus, and of course, everything that is a part of the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.
La Plaza Mall officials also wanted to stress the very special promotion that they are offering in conjunction with their 40th anniversary and sponsorship of the parade. One lucky family will also get the chance of a lifetime to appear in the McAllen Holiday Parade by riding on none other than Santa’s float. Presenting sponsor La Plaza Mall will choose one lucky family for this special prize, along with a shopping spree and photos with Santa. For more details and information, stop by Santa’s Village in the J.C. Penney Courtyard at La Plaza Mall. Deadline to enter the contest is this Friday, November 25, 2016.
“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
“We are so pleased to have La Plaza Mall once again be this year’s presenting sponsor for the McAllen Holiday Parade,” Mayor Darling continued. “Being a part of their parking garage investment and grand opening, the City of McAllen recognizes the contribution of the mall to our economy and to the spirit of the community. I want to congratulate them on this milestone and look forward to another 40 years of La Plaza Mall in McAllen and, as our presenting sponsor for the McAllen Holiday Parade.”
Thanks to Peña Eye Clinic and their sponsorship of the parade and partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, four cheerleaders will be a part of the festivities that night, appearing in the parade and available for photos at the Meet & Greet reception.
This year’s parade theme, Entertainment on Parade, will come to life with six tribute bands that will leave fans of every age and genre mesmerized. Sing along to your favorites from:
· Frank Sinatra
· The Beatles
· Neil Diamond
· Def Leppard
· Justin Beiber
· George Strait
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These groups will astonish with their look and sound, each just like the original. Floats will be designed to help further the theme of the bands, making sure that throughout the parade, folks are truly entertained.
Other special promotions that are ongoing and will help bring the community closer to the parade and the many stars participating include:
· Lack’s Best Seat in the House – register at any area Lack’s to for prime stadium seating during the parade
· Kraft promotion at HEB – buy any three Kraft products at HEB and with your receipt, receive a free VIP stadium seat at the parade
· Bert Ogden Dále Gas with the Cowboys – best Dallas Cowboys vehicle will win tickets to a home game and lucky fans will get a chance to meet the Cowboys
The McAllen Holiday 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, 30 larger-than-life inflatable character balloons, 15 bands and a celebrity filled line-up and this year, featuring 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 or visit your local Rio Grande Valley H-E-B store for a special promotion to get a free VIP reserved seat at the Stadium. A free Park & Ride Polar Express Shuttle will be offered by Metro McAllen at South Texas College so everyone can avoid the hassle of finding parking. Event organizers are also looking for volunteers for the parade in various capacities.
The Texas Fightin’ Aggie Band from Texas A&M University is the step-off band for the parade and will kick-off festivities in the stadium with a performance right at 5 PM. Children’s dance and choir groups and the culturally popular Hispanic holiday tradition of La Posada, which reenacts Joseph & Mary’s search for lodging will follow, all leading up to the start of the parade.
For more information on the parade and related activities, visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by La Plaza Mall. Additional sponsors include Kraft; H-E-B; Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships; and Pharr Family Pharmacies. Other sponsors include: 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; Anzalduas International Bridge; S&B Engineers; IDEA Public Schools; IBC Bank; Navy Army Community Credit Union; AEP Texas; Metro Connect; Stripes; Spaw Glass; City of McAllen Public Works-Recycling; Carollo Engineers; Palenque Grill; Peña Eye Clinic; Tres Lagos; ERO Architects; Halff Associates, Inc.; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; Plains Capital Bank; B2Z Engineering; Inter-National Bank; Melden & Hunt, Inc.; Rio Bank; AT&T; BBVA Compass; 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; deShopping; and Mas Music.
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