(McAllen, TX) This year’s award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade promises to be a star-studded event with none other than Dallas Cowboys current players, as well as legendary fan favorites who will be coming down to lend some of their blue and silver star power to the McAllen Holiday Parade, awarded earlier this year as Best Parade in the World (IFEA, 2017) and Best Parade in Texas (TFEA, 2017). Additionally, starting today, Rio Grande Valley and South Texas border residents will have a a chance to receive free tickets by simply purchasing Kraft family favorites at H-E-B stores throughout the Texas border.
This year’s , Dallas Cowboys making an appearance at the award-winning parade include:
- DeMarcus Lawrence,defensive end, #90, Dallas Cowboys;
- Ryan Switzer, punt return specialist, #10, Dallas Cowboys;
- as well as former four time Pro-Bowl Super Bowl Champion Tony Hill, wide receiver, #80, Dallas Cowboys;
- and former four time Pro-Bowl Super Bowl Champion and former Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett, running back, #33, Dallas Cowboys.
“After the overwhelming response we received last year from the entire Rio Grande Valley when we announced that members of the Dallas Cowboys would be participating as grand marshal and special guests at the McAllen Holiday Parade, there was no question in our mind we had to continue bringing players from America’s Team to continue to be a part of the McAllen Holiday Parade, ” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “A sea of blue and silver dominated the 250,000-plus crowd who turned out to catch a glimpse of their Dallas Cowboys. There is no doubt that the Rio Grande Valley IS Dallas Cowboy Country and we expect no less from the fans again this year. I, in particular, am excited to see the legends come be a part of our parade, because I have been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys for a long, long time now. ”
The Cowboys will be featured on different floats along the route, allowing fans an opportunity to see their favorite current Dallas Cowboys players throughout the parade.
“Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships is proud to once again be the official vehicle sponsor of the McAllen Holiday Parade, pulling with over 11,250 horsepower from the 45 trucks used to pull the floats,” said Robert Vackar, owner, Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships, Rio Grande Valley. “There’s nothing more special than seeing kids and families enjoying such a great annual tradition not only here in McAllen but also, for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Bert Ogden is incredibly proud to be supporting the fourth annual McAllen Holiday Parade and we look forward to seeing it grow each year, as we pull it along, of course.”
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 8, visit your local H-E-B store and purchase three participating Kraft/ products. Those products are: Maxwell House Coffee; Kool-Aid Jammers; Kraft Salad Dressing, 16 oz; Kraft Mayonnaise, 30 oz; Miracle Whip Dressing, 30 oz; Kraft Shredded Cheese, 8 oz; and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Cups, 4 count.
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 28, 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 Paradein 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!”
Finally, as a special treat, Telemundo, Channel 40, the Rio Grande Valley’s leading prime time network, is bringing their own special guest to this year’s parade. Fans of Dra. Ana Maria Polo, whose show continues to rank number one in the market will get to see the famed 20-year veteran TV personality on the Telemundo float and possibly, in various locations thoughout McAllen.
The international award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 and is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas. The parade features 50 vibrant lighted floats, 40 larger-than-life inflatable character balloons, 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, visitwww.mcallenholidayparade.com.
The holiday fun kicks off on Thursday, November 30 with the Hearts of America Carnival at Christmas in the Park, at Municipal Park, 1921 Bicentennial Boulevard. Take advantage of half-price unlimited carnival rides wristbands, a $20 value, currently on sale for $10 at:
- City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department, 1000 S. Ware Road;
- City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Community Centers, including: : Lark at 2601 Lark Avenue; La Palmas at 1921 N. 25th Street; and Palmview at 3401 Jordan Road West;
- McAllen Chamber of Commerce, 1200 Ash Avenue; and
- select Mcallen I.S.D. locations.
Christmas in the Park officially opens on Friday, December 1, 2017 and is a is a prelude to the much-anticipated McAllen Holiday Parade and features free admission, food, fun, vendors and, plenty of attraction and entertainment for the whole family.
There, attendees will get a chance to enter into the much-lauded Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Museum, being featured for the first time at Christmas in the Park both Friday and Saturday, thanks to the Peña Eye Institue, the Rio Grande Valley’s Official IntraLASIK Surgen of the Dallas Cowboys. The traveling exhibit is a fan favorite among die-hard Dallas Cowboys fans, featuring various memorabilia. Entrance into the museum is free.
Another highlight of Christmas in the Park includes the free concnert with multiple Grammy-award winning artists David Lee Garza y Los Musicales and Jimmy Gonzalez y Super Grupo Mass performing on Friday night. Families will also be able to see the helium balloons that will be a part of the parade the next evening be inflated.
The McAllen Holiday Parade sponsors include La Plaza, A Simon Mall; Kraft; H-E-B; and Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships. Other sponsors include: L&F Distributors-Budweiser; City of McAllen Bridge Department; McAllen Public Utility; Sprint; Dairy Queen; Lacks; Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; McAllen Economic Development Corporation/Reynosa McAllen Maquila Association; McAllen International Airport; Anzalduas International Bridge; Peña Eye Institute; IBC Bank; AEP Texas; Metro Connect; Doña Tota‘s; Stripes; City of McAllen Public Works-Recycling; Carollo Engineers; Taco Palenque; Tres Lagos; ERO Architects; Halff Associates, Inc.; University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley; Plains Capital Bank; BBVA Compass; South Texas College; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; Inter-National Bank; Melden & Hunt, Inc.; McAllen ISD; KSA Engineers; S&B Engineers; KNVO-Ch. 48 Univision; KGBT-Ch. 4, CBS; KRGV-Ch. 5, ABC; KTLM-Ch. 40, Telemundo; Univision Radio KGBT 98.5; Entravision Radio; R Communications; iHeartRadio Wild 104 FM; Mas Music 90.9 FM; Multi-Medios; The Monitor; El Periódico, U.S.A.; Advance News Journal; La Patrona; Despierta Valle; and Revista Expresión.
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