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DECEMBER 4, 2019 FRIO
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much, there's always Frio. There's ice, real snow, ice skating and more inside the convention center. Outside – just in case one doesn't want to relive, or get a taste, of what life is like up north during the winter months – there's food, castles, swans, penguins and so much more. “This is real nice,” said Helen Cepeda, who was with her family celebrating her seventh birthday at the event during its opening weekend. “I got to ride down the penguin slide and make a snowman.” McAllen also has a 64-foot pre-lit Christmas tree, that stands near the entrance of oval park in the Palms Crossing shopping center. The entire park area and convention center has been transformed into a colorful, bright and cheery winter display (all the bright sides of winter as opposed to the shoveling of snow, melting of ice and bundling in layers like the true north) as the city has become the “official South Pole of Texas.” People from all over the Valley visited during the first weekend of festivities at the convention center. Jesuse Cantu and his family came from just down the road in Mission. They had yet to visit the indoor events though, enjoying the spectacular outdoor displays.
www.wintertexantimes.com
“I really like the swans,” Ryleigh Cantu said. “They're so pretty.” There are a variety of ticket packages for the event, which runs daily until Jan. 6. A general admission ticket costs $4.95 but there are bundled packages to fit different size families and a variety of the attractions, including unlimited rides on the Pinguino Plunge Ice Mountain. For more information, visit www.friomcallen.com. PARADE THIS WEEKEND The McAllen Holiday Parade is right around the corner, and organizers are continuing to unveil new exciting features that will delight attendees, all in the spirit of the magical holiday. Kicking off this year’s parade on Saturday, December 7, will be a Holiday Musical Extravaganza, that will feature international singing sensation Mane de la Parra, joined by five hundred fourth and fifth grade choir students from McAllen ISD, and the Valley Symphony Orchestra. Also, part of the Extravaganza will be a Tuba Christmas,
“Everyone who experiences the parade leaves with smiles of wonder and awe and this year will be no different...” as well as local dance group sensation, Razz Matazz. Singing cultural and holiday favorites, the performance will start at 5:30 p.m., in mid-field of McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium. The performance will be complete with a dazzling fireworks display and decorations that will bring the South Pole of Texas theme to life. A ticket is required for the Extravaganza, but is included in the VIP Stadium Parade seating ticket.
Christmas tree lightings and other events
Lights, lights and more lights! Cities in the Valley are taking part in holiday celebrations with lightings, parades, and other events. The City of Mission had theirs on November 23 with a tree lighting in their downtown plaza with kids waiting in line for their pictures with Santa Claus. Mission also had vendors and entertainment for visitors to enjoy throughout the weekend. Hidalgo Festival of Lights kicked off this week and will run through December 30. The city’s colorful and Winterland themed parade will be held on Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. in front of city hall along Ramon Ayala Dr. There will be illuminated floats, marching bands and performers from across the Valley. The city has a full list of entertainment, light tours, food, a carnival, and so much more. You can find out their list of events at https://
www.hidalgofestivaloflights.com/. South Padre Island will have their tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. at their city hall on Friday, December 6. After the lighting ceremony, visitors can stick around for their parade. Their festivities continue Saturday, December 7 with a lighted boat parade at Jim’s Pier at 6 p.m. There will be designated viewing areas throughout the route. SPI also has their Holiday Sandcastle Village that will be on display through January 13. Visit the village that will have unique holiday sculptures including a sand snowman and Sand-ta. The village is located near Louie’s Backyard and Gravity Park. The City of McAllen already opened their holiday celebrations with their tree lighting ceremony just before Thanksgiving, but their big event is their parade that will be held on Saturday, December 7.
WINTER TEXAN TIMES
“Each year, we find new ways to make of rope light; 39 giant character balloons the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented utilize 34,000 cubic feet of helium; and by H-E-B, bigger and better than ever,” 50 vehicles provide 12,000 horsepower to said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “Ev- pull floats along the streets of McAllen. eryone who experiences the parade leaves This year’s McAllen Holiday Parade with smiles of wonder and awe and this will be held on Saturday, December 7, year will be no different, seeing our own 2019, stepping off at 6 p.m. from McAllen McAllen ISD kids performing with such Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 North an iconic and world-renowned celebrity. Bicentennial Boulevard and is generally I really can’t wait!” thought of as the best seat in the house. Getting to the parade will not be dif- General admission and reserved tickets ficult, as the City of McAllen, in part- are now on sale. General admission ticknership with South Texas College, will ets are $10 and are exclusively for the east offer a free McAllen Holiday Parade Park and Ride Polar Express Shuttle from the STC campus on Pecan Boulevard and 29th Street. Starting at 12 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, trolleys will make a continuous loop approximately every 10 minutes, from the pick-off point at STC at 31st Street and Quince Avenue, that will take parade and Christmas in the David Amador of McAllen with his wife Sylvia and daughter Park goes to the pa- Sophia (and new penguin friend). rade drop-off/pick-up point at Quince Avenue and 23rd Street. The Park and Ride side of the stadium, while reserved tickets Polar Express Shuttle will run until 12 are for $20 or $35 for the west side of the a.m. People with disabilities, including stadium. those in regular or motorized wheelchairs Tickets may be purchased online at and walkers, should utilize the ADA shut- Ticketmaster.com; expect additional sertle pick-up point from 31st Street and FM vice charges or at face value at the McAl495. Strollers are welcome, as are service len Convention Center Box Office, locatdogs. ed at 700 Convention Center Boulevard. The McAllen Holiday Parade has been VIP chairs along the route are available named the Best Parade in the World and for $8 or free seating is found on a first the Best Parade in Texas, three times. come basis. Go to www.mcallenholidayThe McAllen Holiday Parade features parade.com for tickets and information. 55 floats that boast a wattage power of 153,000 watts from just under five miles
Refer to the story that starts on page one for more details. Weslaco, along with celebrating their 100 year birthday, will be having a tree lighting ceremony on December 4 at Weslaco City Hall at 7 p.m.; Carolers and a book reading by Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 7 and 8, 12 to 4 p.m., at the Weslaco Museum; a Christmas Carol Sing-Along on Sunday; and a Christmas Tree Forest at the Performing Arts Center on December 9 and 10. A Weslaco Centennial Christmas Parade will be held on Texas Blvd. from Pike to 6th St. on December 7 at 10 a.m. The parade will feature highlights of Weslaco’s 100 years. Celebrate Weslaco through the decades while watching the parade. Brownsville already opened their Christmas fun with their annual Holiday Village, but will have a Christmas
tree lighting on Thursday, December 5 in Washington Park at 5 p.m. Also, in Brownsville, Texas Southmost College will have a tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 4 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. There will be music, performances, hot chocolate and sweet bread after the ceremony. Edinburg will have a tree lighting on Thursday, December 5, 6 to 8 p.m. at 415 W. University Drive. They will also hold a Night of Lights Parade: Christmas Around the World on Friday, December 6, from 7 to 11 p.m. Harlingen will be Lighting the Arroyo on Thursday, December 5, at 6:30 p.m., and San Benito will have their tree lighting on Saturday, December 7. Mercedes will have their own Christmas Parade on Friday, December 6 at 6 p.m. The event will start on 6th and Texas Avenue and go north. The Mercedes ISD Festival of Light will follow at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Showgrounds.