McAllen, Holiday Parade, H-E-B, Wild Christmas, Community Events, Entertainment
Staff Report
McAllen TX - The McAllen Holiday Parade returns Saturday, Dec. 5, with new celebrity guests, giant helium balloons and festive attractions as part of this year’s Wild Christmas celebration. The event is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group.
Joining the lineup are Johnjay Van Es and Payton Whitmore, co-hosts of the nationally syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show, a morning radio program featuring pop culture, celebrity interviews, entertainment and humor that reaches listeners nationwide through radio and podcast platforms. Johnjay will join parade hosts Michael Irvin and Julián Gil.
The Grand Marshal team is the Alarcon-Morrish-Ochoa Golf Design Group, featuring Rafael Alarcon, Carter Morrish and Lorena Ochoa.
H-E-B will return with its Serving Texas with Pride float, marching teams, giant helium balloons and a special appearance by H-E-Buddy, whose giant character balloon will also return. Crowds along the parade route are expected to cheer “¡Vuelta!” as the balloon spins.
Giveaways and Contests
H-E-B and the City launched the South Pole of Texas giveaway, offering one family four tickets to the McAllen Holiday Parade, four tickets to Wild Bright at the South Pole Illuminated Festival and four H-E-B shirts. Entry details are available on the McAllen Holiday Parade’s social media accounts.
The City also announced Maysea as the latest winner of the Santa’s Good List social media contest. Her family will receive parade tickets and a special gift for their pet. Pet owners may nominate their animals by sharing a photo and description on the parade’s social media pages through Oct. 31.
The City is also seeking an Animal Grand Marshal for Wild Christmas through the same Oct. 31 deadline.
Volunteers and Tickets
Volunteers are needed to guide parade balloons and carry banners. Residents may sign up through the volunteer page at mcallenholidayparade.com.
Tickets are on sale now for stadium seating, the South Padre Island Vuelta Zone and reserved route seating at mcallenholidayparade.com.
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil credited 14 years of partnership with H-E-B for building the parade into a regional tradition.
“For 14 years, H-E-B has believed in the vision of the McAllen Holiday Parade and helped us build a tradition that brings families together and makes our community proud,” Tawil said. “We look forward to welcoming families from across the Rio Grande Valley to experience the magic of Wild Christmas.”
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, and sponsored by McAllen International Airport, South Padre Island CVB, Reliant and Lone Star National Bank. Additional sponsors include Budweiser-L&F Distributors, McAllen International Bridge System, McAllen Public Utility, Metro McAllen, McAllen Public Works, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Lone Star Ambulance, Matt's Building Materials, PepsiCo, J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys, South Texas ISD, South Texas College, McDonald's, Driscoll Children's Hospital, Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley, American Electric Power Foundation, McAllen Shines, IBC Bank, Lacks Furniture, Visit McAllen, Hermes, Peña Eye Institute, McAllen ISD, Linebarger Attorneys at Law, PNC Bank, O'Reilly Auto Parts, McAllen Economic Development Corporation, Rhodes Enterprises & Esperanza Homes, Pollux Castor Creative, Explore McAllen, Palenque Group, Halff Associates, B2Z Engineering, Carollo Engineers, Whataburger and SpawGlass.
Source - City of McAllen