The city of McAllen announced Wednesday that the theme of this year’s holiday parade will be “Christmas Around the World,” according to a press release from the city.
“‘Christmas Around the World’ takes the idea that different cultures, different countries celebrate this magical holiday in very different ways,” the release said. “But ultimately, it is the spirit of the holiday: peace on Earth and good will towards men that will have the entire Rio Grande Valley rejoicing.”
The event’s presenting sponsor will be H-E-B. Their partnership with the city of McAllen “goes together like peanut butter and jelly,” McAllen Mayor Jim Darling said in the release.
“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, the H-E-B border region’s director of merchandising and marketing. “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.”
The parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. The one-and-a-half mile route will begin at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, then head south on Bicentennial Boulevard to U.S. Business 83. There will be reserved seating at the stadium available for purchase, and free seating will be available along the route on a first-come, first-served basis.
The McAllen holiday parade is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas, according to the release. Now in its third year, it will include lighted and animated floats, inflatable character balloons, bands and celebrities.
The parade has won numerous awards, including being named the 2017 Best Parade in Texas by the Texas Festival and Events Association and the 2017 Best Parade in the World by the International Festival and Events Association.
For updates and information on the parade, visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com.
