by
Laura D. Garcia | Nov 14, 2018
And the celebrities line-up continues to grow....
Today, McAllen Holiday Parade organizers unveiled not one, not two, but three more exciting celebrities that are going to be joining the already jam-packed, star-studded line-up for this year’s event. Announced were: Anthony Gonzalez, better known for his voice work as Miguel, the hero of las-year’s hit Disney animated film ʺCoco;ʺ; Jaylon Smith, #54, linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and his older brother Rod Smith, #45, running back also for the Dallas Cowboys. The unveiling took place at a press event held at H-E-B, presenting sponsor for the McAllen Holiday Parade.
ʺLike H-E-B, the McAllen Holiday Parade is a part of the holiday traditions in McAllen, the entire Rio Grande Valley, as well as South Texas and Northern Mexico,ʺ said Tony Gonzalez, Regional Manager for the South Texas Border Region for H-E-B. ʺWe are so proud to not only be partners with the McAllen Holiday Parade, but to be presenting the event that sets the standard for other events in our area and has such an exciting line-up of celebrities who will be in attendance. I am already star-struck and after today’s incredible announcement, I can’t wait to see who is announced next!ʺ
Parade organizers continue to unveil new and exciting celebrities who will be a part of the 5th annual celebration of the parade that to date, has won 166 awards. Already announced celebrities and star appearances include:
- U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and Parade Drill Team, Parade Lead Step-Off
- Dra. Ana Maria Polo, Telemundo, ʺCaso Cerrado,ˮ one of the most prominent and influential figures in Hispanic television
- Jay Novacek, Dallas Cowboys Legend, #84, former five-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion tight end
- Tony Hill, Dallas Cowboys Legend, #80, former 4-time Pro Bowler and 1-time Super Bowl Champion wide receiver
Stadium seating to the parade is on sale at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office or at Ticketmaster.com. Additionally, Parade Route VIP Chairs are on sale individually or, as a fundraiser for non-profit organizations, available at the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department.. Get your $10 pre-sale, unlimited Carnival wristband, good only for Thursday, November 29, 2018, at City of McAllen Parks & Recreation community centers, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce or at all McAllen I.S.D. schools. Throughout the month of November, celebrate Pint Night with Budweiser from L&F Distributors to collect McAllen Holiday Parade memorabilia, commemorating the fifth annual presentation of the magical parade.
Parade organizers are pointing to floats and other exciting elements that promises to give attendees the world at this year’s event on Saturday, December 1, 2018. The parade kicks off at 6 PM from McAllen Veterans‘ Memorial Stadium, where gently falling snow will once again cascade inside the facility. The parade features over 55 vibrant lighted and animated floats, 39 larger-than-life inflatable character balloons, 14 musical marching bands and a celebrity filled line-up that is sure to thrill parade-goers of every age. The parade makes its way down the 1.5 mile parade route on Bicentennial Boulevard, where free seating is also available on a first come, first serve basis.
The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B, will be powered by 12,000 horsepower by Bert Ogden and Fiesta Dealerships of the Rio Grande Valley. The parade is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas and uses 15 miles of rope light, which generates 1,875,000 lumens of light to properly illuminate the parade and 44,500 cubic feet of helium to keep those giant balloons afloat.
The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B, has twice been named, the Best Parade in the World and the Best Parade in Texas, the only parade in the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with these well-deserved recognitions. Other sponsors who are helping to bring the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas to the streets of McAllen are Bert Ogden and Fiesta Dealership, as well as Budweiser.
Other proud sponsors include: Driscoll Health System/Driscoll Health Plan; Reliant Energy; McAllen Public Utility; McAllen International Bridge System; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; McAllen International Airport; Sprint; Metro PCS; IBC Bank; Doña Tota; AEP Texas Central; PepsiCo.; McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Metro McAllen; 7-Eleven; Tres Lagos; McAllen Recycling; Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers; Carollo Engineers; Palenque Group; KSA Engineers; Macy’s; University of Texas-RGV; BBVA Compass; South Texas College; Med -Care EMS; Favor Delivery; Plains Capital Bank; Ambetter Superior Healthplan; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; Texas Lottery; Chick-fil-A; Cigna HealthSpring; Halff Associates, Inc.; Meldon & Hunt; S&B Infrastructure, Ltd.; and Juanita’s Foods.
Media partners for the event include: KGBT-Ch. 4; KRGV-Ch.5; Telemundo; Entravision TV and radio stations; R Communications; Wild 104/KISS 106; MásMusic; Multi-Medios; Univision Radio; Advance News-Journal; El Periódico, U.S.A.; Revista Expresión; and The Monitor.
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