HARLINGEN — The longtime tradition starting Christmastime is back.
The annual Lighting of the Arroyo will be celebrated today from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at McKelvey Park, 1325 S.77 Sunshine Strip.
This will be the 33rd year Harlingen holds this celebration, said Cassandra Consiglio, director of the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We light up the tree which decorates the park for all of the community to enjoy. This event marks the first time we turn all the decorations on. The tree is 34 feet tall,” Consiglio said.
Attendance last year was 1,000 people and they are expecting it to be the same this year, she said.
For the past three years, the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau alongside Harlingen Parks and Recreation have been in charge of putting the event together.
“This year we will be having more acts and performances. We will have Harlingen High School center stage show choir, their cheerleaders, as well as the Harlingen Cardettes,” she said.
“We will have a few of the middle schools performing also,” Consiglio said.
Alongside the Christmas performances will be food vendors and complimentary pictures with Santa.
“I think it is a tradition that is easily accessible for the whole community and I think the people really like to celebrate the holidays,” she said.
“This is why we continue to do it and everyone is invited to come see the decorations and take pictures with Santa,” Consiglio said.
If You Go
When: Today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: McKelvey Park, 1325 S. 77 Sunshine Strip, Harlingen
Free admission
