Holiday spark: Pharr kicks off seasonal cheer with lighting of 50-foot tree

PHARR — A Christmas tree as tall as city hall, ornaments large enough to walk through and snow tumbling down in the middle of a warm evening created a magical moment for families who crowded into the city’s downtown center Monday evening.

“We come every year,” Mayra Ledezma, 41, said while surrounded by her two girls and little boy.

“Mami, I want to take a picture in the ornament!” Maria Jose, 6, interjected.

An excited crowd of about 400 pushed in close as the city commissioners, mayor and other city leaders spoke before the 50-foot tree, which was decorated with blue and silver ornaments.

As Yuri Gonzalez, the city’s public information officer, prepared to count down, city commissioners and the mayor, who were lined up by the 7-foot power switch, invited children to join them. They eagerly ran as the countdown began.

“Three, two, one, zero!” The switch was flipped and all the lights decorating the tree, a large Frosty the Snowman display and hundreds of other decorations lit up.

It was a functional switch that was included this year by the city’s parks and recreation department, Isaac Escobedo, the department’s assistant director, said.

“Staff configured this huge light switch to where we flip it up and it powers absolutely everything here,” Escobedo said.

More angels and lights were strung up this year compared to 2021, and it took more than a group of elves to make it happen.

“Our parks and rec staff did a tremendous job. We couldn’t do it without them. They were out here all day. They would come in at 5 a.m., work through 2 or even later to 4 p.m.,” Escobedo said.

Families formed lines to take pictures with a Grinch, some elves and Minnie Mouse, while others posed for pictures sitting on Christmas lights the size of benches.

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said he felt delighted and ecstatic as he observed the smiles and cheers from the surrounding crowd. For him, it was a celebration of unity and faith.

“The Christmas tree comes in different shapes, sizes and colors, some of the decorations, the light bulbs, but when it’s lit up, everything shines so beautifully. Everything comes together just like the world does, just like the city of Pharr population does, because together we’re better,” Hernandez said. “We’re one beautiful family. We are the light of the world just like Christ was and continues to be, and we should take it upon ourselves to carry that light forward.”


To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:

Photo Gallery: Pharr kicks off seasonal cheer with lighting of 50-foot tree