International Museum of Art & Science, IMAS, Operation Imagination, summer camps, McAllen, children, education, science, art, engineering, clay, geology, ecolo…

Staff Report

MCALLEN TX - The International Museum of Art & Science is hosting Operation Imagination Summer Camps across two sessions this summer, running June 1-18 and July 6-24, 2026, with weekly themes covering science, art, and engineering for campers in grades 2 through 8.

Camps run weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with drop-off and pickup options available. Late pickup after 3:35 p.m. requires an aftercare payment of $5.

Pricing

Weekly camp sessions are priced at $200, with a discounted rate of $160 for IMAS Family Members and above. A 5% sibling discount is available using code OISB2 at checkout; all children must be in the same family unit and fall within the camp week’s grade level.

Week 3, running June 15-18, is priced at $160 per week, or $128 for IMAS members, due to it being a four-day session. IMAS will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

Camp Sessions

Week 1 (June 1-5) featured Movie Makers for incoming 4th and 5th graders, and Week 2 (June 8-12) featured Tinker Imagineers for incoming 2nd and 3rd graders. Both are sold out.

Week 3 (June 15-18) offers Clay Lab for incoming 4th and 5th graders, with limited seats remaining. Campers will explore clay techniques including scoring, slip, hand building, and coil building, and will sculpt a mask inspired by the IMAS Folk Art collection.

July Sessions

Week 4 (July 6-10) offers two simultaneous camps. Dig Into Earth, for incoming 2nd and 3rd graders, covers plate tectonics, rocks and minerals, geode demolition, and erosion modeling. McAllen Public Utility: World of Water, for incoming 4th and 5th graders, is offered in collaboration with McAllen Public Utility and covers water conservation, hydraulic technology, and ocean acidification, with presentations in the Science On a Sphere theatre.

Week 7 (July 13-17) features Artful Creators for incoming 2nd and 3rd graders, exploring art movements through painting, sculpture, and collage, and Paints & Prints for incoming 6th through 8th graders, covering printmaking techniques including etching, mono-printing, and screen printing alongside various paint media.

Week 8 (July 20-24) closes the summer with Ecology Explorers for incoming 2nd and 3rd graders, offering hands-on work in the MPU BioZone lab with insects, reptiles, owl pellet dissection, and microscope stations. Science Fusion, for incoming 6th through 8th graders, covers circuits, engineering, and physics through projects including sound visualizers and spin art machines.

Source - International Museum of Art & Science

McAllen Marathon, Scott Crane Running Series, Independence 4K, Fourth of July, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series has unveiled the official finisher medal for its Independence 4K race, scheduled for Saturday, July 4, 2026.

The patriotic medal features an eagle design under the theme “250 Years of Freedom.” Registration is open at mcallenmarathon.com. Follow @McAllenMarathon on social media for updates.

Source - McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Running Series

Sonnet 4.6

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Splash Pads, Summer 2026, Family Activities, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department has launched splash pad season for summer 2026, with four locations open across the city on a rotating daily schedule. All locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The weekday rotation is as follows: Curtis Park, 301 E. Hackberry Ave., on Mondays; Palm View Park, 3401 Jordan Road W., on Tuesdays; McAllen Youth Baseball Complex, 8201 N. 29th St., on Wednesdays; and Zinnia Park, 5201 N. 29th St., on Thursdays.

All four locations are open Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit mcallenparks.net or follow @McAllenParks on social media.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Movies at the Park, Los Encinos, GOAT, Parkside Pop-Up, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will host Movies at the Park on Saturday, June 13, at Los Encinos, featuring a free outdoor screening of the film GOAT.

Gates open at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at 8:30 p.m. Admission is free. Residents are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.

The Parkside Pop-Up market will also be on site beginning at 7 p.m., featuring local vendors, artisans, handmade goods, and local food offerings ahead of the screening.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Little Miss 4th of July, Las Palmas Community Center, Youth Pageant, Independence Day, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will host its Little Miss 4th of July pageant Saturday, June 6, beginning at 10 a.m. at Las Palmas Community Center as part of the city’s 250 Years of Freedom Independence Day celebration.

The pageant is open to girls in three age divisions: Tiny Miss ages 4 through 6, activity No. 273400.45; Little Miss ages 7 through 9, activity No. 273400.46; and Young Miss ages 10 through 12, activity No. 273400.47. The entry fee is $60 per contestant.

Winners will have the opportunity to participate in the city’s Fourth of July celebration.

Registration is available at mcallenparks.net. For more information, follow @McAllenParks on social media.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Energize in the Park, Las Palmas Community Center, Fitness, Summer 2026, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will host Energize in the Park, an instructor-led outdoor workout series on the Las Palmas Community Center turf field, on three Saturday mornings this summer.

Sessions run from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and are open to participants ages 16 and older. Participants will receive a complimentary tote bag with water bottles. Attendees are asked to bring their own mat.

The three scheduled dates are:

• Saturday, June 6 — Activity No. 873300.10

• Saturday, July 18 — Activity No. 873300.11

• Saturday, Aug. 15 — Activity No. 873300.12

Registration is available at mcallenparks.net. For more information, follow @McAllenParks on social media.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Sound Lab, Palm View Community Center, Music Programs, Youth Programs, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department is launching The Sound Lab, a new music and creative program at Palm View Community Center, meeting every Monday and Wednesday with two age-group sessions available.

The program offers two sessions running simultaneously on meeting days. The first session is for ages 5 through 6, from 6 to 6:45 p.m., activity No. 274100-01. The second session is for ages 7 through 12, from 7 to 7:45 p.m., activity No. 274100-02.

Cost is $23 for McAllen residents and $30 for non-residents per session.

Registration is available at mcallenparks.net. For more information, follow @McAllenParks on social media.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Canvas and Coffee, Las Palmas Community Center, Arts and Recreation, Summer 2026, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will host three Canvas & Coffee guided painting sessions this summer at Las Palmas Community Center, giving residents a creative and relaxed morning of art and coffee throughout the season.

The guided instructor class is open to all skill levels — no painting experience required. Each session runs the same way: doors open at 8:45 a.m. and class begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $12 per person. The event is open to participants ages 16 and older.

The three scheduled sessions are:

• Saturday, June 6 — Activity No. 873301-44

• Saturday, July 18 — Activity No. 873301-45

• Saturday, Aug. 15 — Activity No. 873301-46

Residents are encouraged to bring friends and family and register early as seating is limited. Registration is available at mcallenparks.net.

For more information, follow @McAllenParks on social media or visit mcallenparks.net.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Soccer Day, Community Events, Youth Sports, Soccer, Las Palmas, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - McAllen Soccer Day 2026 will bring a citywide celebration of soccer to Las Palmas Community Center and Fields on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 4 to 10 p.m. Entry is free.

The event is designed to unite the soccer community across McAllen — from youth clubs and schools to media, sports medicine, collegiate athletics, professional soccer, local businesses, and community leadership — while honoring the history and legacy of the sport and paving the way for future growth across the Rio Grande Valley.

Itinerary

• 4 p.m. — Guest and honoree arrival

• 5 p.m. — Official proclamation presentation with the mayor and honorees

• 6 p.m. — Cash prize penalty kick contest

• 7 p.m. — Live music and community celebration

The penalty kick contest is open to four divisions: youth ages 7-12, teens ages 13-17, women 18 and older, and men 18 and older. Registration is available at form.jotform.com/ccglobalfam/MCALLENPKCONTEST.

The evening will also feature celebrity guests, soccer activations, vendors, food, entertainment, and community engagement opportunities throughout.

Residents are invited to attend as community partners, booth vendors, or supporters. For more information, email team@mcallensoccerday.com or follow @McAllenSoccerDay on Instagram.

McAllen Parks and Recreation, Canvas and Coffee, Las Palmas Community Center, Arts and Recreation, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department will host a Canvas & Coffee guided painting class Saturday, June 6, at Las Palmas Community Center.

Doors open at 8:45 a.m. and the class begins at 9 a.m. The event is open to participants ages 16 and older. Cost is $12 per person. The activity number is 873301-44. The center is located at 1921 N 25th St, McAllen.

The guided instructor class is described as suitable for all skill levels, with or without prior painting experience. Seating is limited and registration is required at mcallenparks.net.

For more information, follow @McAllenParks on social media or visit mcallenparks.net.

Source - City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department

McAllen Public Library, Summer Reading Challenge, Summer 2026, Reading Programs, Ren Faire, McAllen TX

Staff Report

McALLEN TX - The McAllen Public Library is now accepting pre-registrations for its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, a six-week reading adventure open to all ages themed “Unearth a Story.”

Pre-registration opened Friday, May 1, at mcallenlibrary.beanstack.org. The challenge runs Monday, June 1, through Friday, July 10.

Participants who complete 10 out of 15 challenges will receive a prize.

The library will kick off the summer with a Ren Faire on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at the Main Library, 4001 N. 23rd St.

Residents may scan the QR code available through the library to stay up to date on all upcoming activities and events throughout the summer.

Library Locations

The McAllen Public Library system includes three locations:

• Main Library — 4001 N. 23rd St., McAllen, TX | (956) 681-3000

• Lark Branch Library — 2601 Lark Ave., McAllen, TX | (956) 681-3100

• Palm View Branch Library — 3401 Jordan Rd W., McAllen, TX | (956) 681-3110

Source - McAllen Public Library

Sonnet 4.6

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - Teen readers and trivia fans will have a chance to test their knowledge while enjoying ramen during an upcoming themed event at the Palm View Branch Library in McAllen.

The “Ramen & Trivia” program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, at 4:30 p.m. at the Palm View Branch Library, located at 3401 Jordan Road West.

According to organizers, the event will feature trivia centered on Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, history and pop culture references. Participants will also be able to enjoy bowls of ramen while competing and socializing with friends.

The program is open to students in sixth through 12th grade.

Library officials said the event is designed to combine cultural learning with interactive activities aimed at engaging local teens in a fun and relaxed environment.

Additional information about the event and other library programs is available at McAllenLibrary.net or by calling the Palm View Branch Library at 956-681-3110.

Source -- McAllen Public Library.

Staff Report

Edinburg, TX - McAllen Parks and Recreation is inviting young outdoor enthusiasts to sharpen their aim this summer through its Intro to Archery program at Camp McAllen.

The beginner-friendly program will run Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 3 through June 25 and is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of archery in a safe and encouraging environment.

Two age groups will be offered during the summer session. Children ages 8 to 12 will meet from 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., while teens ages 13 to 16 will participate from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

According to organizers, the program is intended for first-time archers as well as participants looking to improve their skills and build confidence through outdoor recreation activities.

Registration for the program is $25.

City officials encouraged families to take advantage of the opportunity for youth to stay active outdoors while learning a new skill and making connections with other campers throughout the summer.

Additional information and registration details are available at McAllenParks.net.

Source -- McAllen Parks and Recreation.

Photo Caption:Nick Morales is a surface geologist of South Texas and northern Mexico specializing in mineralogy, local geology, and stone artifacts. Photo courtesy Quinta Mazatlán.

Quinta Mazatlán, Nick Morales, Archaeology, Stone Tools, Lithic Artifacts, South Texas, McAllen, UTRGV, Geology

Staff Report

MCALLEN TX - Quinta Mazatlán will host “Sifting through South Texas Ancient History — Stone Tools and Archeology with Nick Morales” on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. The program is free with general admission.

The presentation will center on how geology influenced the manufacturing of lithic tools in South Texas and Northern Mexico, and how they are identified and used. The presentation will also include information on archaeological methods employed in the lawful collection of artifacts and proper documentation, as well as additional information on the Ancients who lived in the area.

About Nick Morales

Born and raised in McAllen, Morales is a resident geologist of South Texas and Northern Mexico specializing in mineralogy, local geology, and lithic artifacts. He is a collector of worldwide minerals and local ancient stone tools, and has undertaken research with faculty at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in the geology and archaeology of the region.

Morales served as a guest lecturer in Geology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Texas–Pan American and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. A student of geology at the University of Texas–Pan American in the 1970s, he has been a participant and sponsor of the University Geology Club for more than 40 years.

Current research projects include identifying minerals from Mexico and lithic tools of the area, employing XRD and pXRF technology, and documenting, photographing, authoring, and co-authoring articles on local geology and lithic artifacts. Morales has visited and explored six of the seven continents.

His publications include co-editor and cartographer of the 1974 Guide to the Huizachal-Peregrina Anticlinorium, Pan American University, and author, illustrator, and co-editor of the Geomorphology of Real de Catorce, 1990 Guide to the Geology of the Real de Catorce Uplift, University of Texas–Pan American.

For more information, contact Quinta Mazatlán at 956-681-3370 or follow Quinta Mazatlán on social media.

Source - Quinta Mazatlán

Books, McAllen Public Library, sale

Staff Report

McAllen TX - A Pop-Up Book Sale hosted by the McAllen Public Library Advocates is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Main Library Bookstore, 4001 N. 23rd St.

The event, organized by McAllen Public Library and MPL Adults, will feature a selection of gently used books, including bestselling authors, select non-fiction, children’s titles, romance, paperbacks, and libros en Español.

All books, both inside and outside of the bookstore, will be priced at $1.00 for hardbacks and $0.50 for paperbacks.

Credit and debit cards will be accepted. No previews will be available, and all sales are final.

Source - McAllen Public Library

Insects, public health, McAllen

Staff Report

McAllen TX - “¡Juntos! Preventing the Spread of Harmful Insects in South Texas” will take place Sunday, May 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McAllen Public Library Main Library Auditorium.

The program includes hands-on FeriaLab projects and a short presentation focused on how insects impact everyday life and how research and community efforts come together to better understand environmental and public health.

The event will be held at 4001 N. 23rd St. in McAllen. Additional information is available by phone at (956) 681-3061 or online at www.mcallenlibrary.net.

Source - McAllen Public Library

Photo above: Presented by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Committee, The Hate Ends Now Cattle Car will visit UTRGV’s Edinburg campus (April 28–29) and Brownsville campus (April 30–May 1). This free, immersive Holocaust exhibit in a WWII-era cattle car replica is approximately 25 minutes long and accommodates 20–25 guests per visit. The exhibit also features recorded survivor testimony and a curated display of rare original Holocaust artifacts. (Courtesy Photo from Hate Ends Now)

UTRGV Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – A World War II–era train car replica used by Nazis to transport victims to concentration camps, will visit The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Edinburg and Brownsville campuses this month.

Presented by the Texas Holocaust, Genocide and Antisemitism Advisory Committee (THGAAC) as part of its statewide efforts to provide vital programming at colleges and universities, The Hate Ends Now Cattle Car event is a free, immersive Holocaust exhibit inside a replica cattle car designed to raise awareness and combat antisemitism and all forms of hate.

The public is invited to experience the exhibit in Edinburg (April 28–29) and Brownsville (April 30–May 1).

“This experience goes beyond a remembrance of the Holocaust and an honoring of the victims of one of the darkest chapters in our human history,” said Dr. Luis Torres-Hostos, School of Social Work founding dean and event organizer. “It is an opportunity to reconnect with its lessons, so that we can reflect on current times and emerge united and recommitted to combat antisemitism, discrimination, and hatred in all its forms and against all human beings, regardless of the path they walk.”

Housed inside a train car, the experience incorporates survivor testimony and an emotionally immersive setting to encourage reflection, understanding and action.

“Our goal in bringing the Hate Ends Now Cattle Car to UTRGV isn’t just to display history, it’s to confront it,” said Todd Cohn, Hate Ends Now CEO. “When students walk through the exhibit, they understand where unchecked hatred can lead, and more importantly, can leave with a sense of responsibility about where they want to lead their own communities.”

Approximately 25 minutes in length, the exhibit accommodates 20-25 guests inside a dark, cramped replica intended to reflect the terror and dehumanization victims endured during forced transport. Recorded survivor testimony helps visitors connect emotionally and historically to the human impact of antisemitic persecution.

“The cattle car offers lessons that are essential to building understanding and ensuring the lessons of history are not forgotten,” said Kenneth E. Goldberg, THGAAC chairman. “This exhibit changes how people think about responsibility, community and the role each of us plays in confronting hate.”

In addition to the immersive cattle car presentation, the event will feature a curated display of rare original Holocaust artifacts. The exhibit is frequently hosted by schools and community organizations across Texas as an educational experience, with programming typically recommended for ages 12 and older.

EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg

• Date: Tuesday, April 28, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Wednesday, April 29, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

• Location: Paseo Walkway, between Innovation Building (EINNV) and the Learning Center (ELCTR)

• Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4A923A5F8C43-62816467-theuniversity

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville

• Date: Thursday, April 30, 11:30 a.m.- 6p.m. and Friday, May 1, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Location: Brownsville, University Library (BLIBR North Lawn)

• Register: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B49A4A923A5F8C43-63293250-theuniversity

McAllen Poet Laureate, Gabriel Hugo Sanchez Martinez, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, arts and culture, Rio Grande Valley

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The McAllen Chamber of Commerce and the City of McAllen announced the appointment of Gabriel Hugo Sanchez Martinez as the 2026–2028 City of McAllen Poet Laureate, a two-year honorary civic role recognizing poets who contribute to the cultural and creative life of the community.

The Poet Laureate program is housed by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

According to the announcement, Sanchez Martinez is a poet, publisher and arts advocate whose work has influenced the literary landscape of the Rio Grande Valley for more than two decades. He is the founder of The Raving Press and the Border Arts Network, organizations focused on publishing, public programming and literary initiatives.

His work includes the development of anthologies, readings and collaborative spaces aimed at supporting both emerging and established writers and expanding opportunities for creative expression in the region.

“Gabriel’s longstanding commitment to the literary and artistic community in the Rio Grande Valley reflects a deep investment in culture, creativity, and access,” said Leigh Wooldridge, Vice President of Visit McAllen. “His work continues to create space for voices that represent the richness and diversity of our region, and we are proud to recognize his contributions as part of McAllen’s cultural landscape.”

As Poet Laureate, Sanchez Martinez will serve as a cultural ambassador for the City of McAllen, promoting poetry as a form of public expression within the community.

“I do not see a separation between poetry and advocacy. Poetry becomes a living thing when it is shared within the community that shaped it,” Sanchez Martinez said.

His stated vision for the role includes expanding access to poetry, amplifying underrepresented voices and integrating literary expression into public spaces throughout McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.

Source - McAllen Chamber of Commerce / City of McAllen

McAllen Parks and Recreation, archery tournament, youth activities, Camp McAllen, outdoor recreation

Staff Report

McAllen TX - McAllen Parks and Recreation will host a Beginner Youth Archery Tournament on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Camp McAllen.

The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and is open to participants ages 8 to 15. The registration fee is $15 per participant.

The tournament is designed for beginners and welcomes all skill levels. Equipment will be provided for participants.

Registration is available at Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Ave.; Las Palmas Community Center, 1921 N. 25th St.; and Palm View Community Center, 3401 Jordan Road West.

Source - McAllen Parks and Recreation

Monarch Fest, Quinta Mazatlán, Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, Javier Villalobos, environmental education

Staff Report

McAllen TX — Monarch Fest: A Party for the Planet will bring together art, wildlife and family activities during a community celebration supporting pollinator conservation on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Quinta Mazatlán.

The event is part of the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge led by the National Wildlife Federation to promote environmental awareness and support pollinators through community engagement and education.

Opening ceremonies will feature the South Texas Drum Circle, followed by live entertainment, art activities and interactive experiences throughout the day. More than 30 vendors will provide hands-on activities and wildlife education along Palm Drive.

Mayor’s Bug Parade

At 10 a.m., attendees wearing orange and butterfly wings are invited to participate in the Mayor’s Bug Parade with Mayor Javier Villalobos. The parade will be led by the McHi Drum Line and Flag Team.

Family Activities and Exhibits

Event activities include live animal presentations, educational booths, youth and scout stations, garden tours, a marketplace and a food courtyard. Organizers state the event is intended to inspire residents of all ages to support native habitat and environmental education efforts that promote a healthier ecosystem.

Monarch Fest is free with park admission. Complimentary shuttle service will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. from 1400 Wichita Avenue near La Plaza Mall.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Quinta Mazatlán, located at 600 Sunset Drive.

Source - Quinta Mazatlán