Texas Border Business
The City of McAllen continues to be recognized as an award-winning event producer in the state of Texas, walking away with 30 awards – 22 of which were gold –for the 2019 McAllen Holiday Parade and South Texas Book Festival at the Texas Association of Fairs and Events (TAFE) Ray Cammack Shows Award of Excellence for Marketing & Communication virtual award ceremony held earlier this week. Another big winner for the City of McAllen included the Parks & Recreation Department’s Reimagined McAllen Independence Day Celebration for 2020, earning top honors. Additionally, the City of McAllen was recognized for its Make the Most Campaign for best community outreach, under the newly created COVID-19 category, earning gold, as well. The McAllen Public Library also earned several other gold and silver awards for various other programs hosted by the department.
Like all things, the global pandemic affected the way fairs and events took place in Texas last year. Normally, the TAFE entries compete in attendance categories, but with reimagined and virtual events the norm last year, the competition was by category.
The McAllen Holiday Parade earned 15 gold, or first place awards, and one silver, or second place award.
“These awards just confirm what we in McAllen and the entire Rio Grande Valley already know about the McAllen Holiday Parade; it is indeed the gold-standard of parades,” said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. “I can’t wait to see what we do this year to make it another magical night.”
According to McAllen Assistant City Manager Joe Vera, the McAllen Holiday Parade and South Texas Book Festival continue to be recognized at such a high level, which is important for event sponsors as this means that they are associating with a quality entertainment event.
The McAllen Holiday Parade, the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas, was awarded for the 2019 presentation of the event. The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B, just celebrated its seventh anniversary in 2020, with the first-ever virtual presentation of the parade. Make plans to attend this year’s celebrity-studded, high-powered event on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
TAF&E exists to help promote the value and importance of fairs, festivals and special events by being an advocate and supporter to our members, who have the same desire to improve their event. The membership of TAF&E is made up of events and organizations from across the state and from neighboring states as well. It includes fairs and festivals of all sizes, including community, county, district, regional and state-wide events.
City of McAllen Submissions
First Place
McAllen Holiday Parade presented by H-E-B
Category 1: Printed Materials
Best Newspaper Ad Color
Best Magazine Ad
Best Program/Brochure/Flyer (4 or more colors)
Best Promotional Advertising – Outdoor
Best 5 Event Photos
Best Newspaper Insert Supplement
Best Media Guide/Press Kit
Category 2: Broadcast
Best Radio Commercial
Category 3: Multi-Media
Best Specialty Video
Category 4: Social Media
Best Social Media Photograph
Category 5: Advertising Specialty/Merchandise
Specialty Merchandise- Best T-Shirt Design
Specialty Merchandise- Best Pin
Specialty Merchandise- Best Other Merchandise (Holiday Ornament)
Category 7: Sponsorship
Best Overall Sponsorship Program
Best Follow-Up Sponsorship Program
First Place
McAllen Parks & Recreation Department McAllen Independence Day Celebration
Category 8: COVID-19
COVID-19 Best Re-Imagined Event
First Place
City of McAllen Make the Most Campaign
Category 8: COVID-19
COVID-19 Best Community Outreach
Second Place
McAllen Holiday Parade presented by H-E-B
Category 2: Best TV Commercial
Best TV Commercial
First Place
McAllen Public Library
Category 1: Printed Materials
Best Premium Book, South Texas Book Festival Program
Best Miscellaneous Multi-Page Materials, South Texas Book Festival Reading List
Category 3: Multi-Media
Best Specialty Video, South Texas Book Festival Comm. Tania Ramirez Promo
Best eNewsletter, MPL Connect
Category 6: Community Relations
Best Community Program/Event, MPL/Workforce Solutions Job Fair
Best New Program, World Languages Festival
Category 7: Sponsorship
Best Overall Sponsorship Program, South Texas Book Festival
Second Place
Category 3: Multi-Media
Best Website, South Texas Book Festival
Category 4: Social Media
Best Social Media Campaign, South Texas Book Festival
Category 8: COVID-19
COVID19 Best Re-Imagined Event, Summer Reading Program Kick-Off
COVID19 Best Announcement, Summer Reading Program Kick-Off
Third Place
Category 1: Printed Materials
Best Program/ Brochure/ Flyer, South Texas Book Festival Author Line-Up
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