Texas Border Business
Earlier today, the City of McAllen and the McAllen International Airport, the South Texas Airport of the Dallas Cowboys, unveiled exciting details for the 11th presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group. Dallas Cowboys Legend Super Bowl Champion Tony Hill #80 was on hand to announce his annual appearance at the parade, while retired super star Leighton Vander Esch revealed the return of Dallas Cowboys fan favorite #90 DeMarcus Lawrence to the parade’s silver and blue line-up that includes already announced legend Tony Tolbert. Additionally, the McAllen International Airport Skybox Fan Experience will return along the parade route with tickets on sale now.
“You have come together to create one of the best parades in the world, and you did it for each other, your parents and your kids,” said Vander Esch, who went on to highlight Lawrence’s highlights, his fellow Boise St. Bronco, including his four-time Pro-Bowler selection, his 11-year standout as defensive end with over 60 sacks.
Fans can cheer on the Cowboys and other celebrities appearing at the parade at Skybox Fan Experience which will feature the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a special host, live DJ, Dallas Cowboys t-shirts for all, an illuminated LED stage, and special giveaways for prizes like jerseys, flights and Cowboys tickets. “McAllen International Airport’s partnership with the Dallas Cowboys has allowed us to create an extra special opportunity at the McAllen Holiday Parade for the second year, the Skybox Fan Experience,” said Jeremy Santoscoy, P.E., Aviation Director, McAllen International Airport.
Tickets for the Skybox Fan Experience can be purchased at www.McAllenHolidayParade.com. Tickets are also available for the Vuelta Zone and stadium seating. Stadium seating will feature the Vuelta Zone Spin-Off and the Holiday Musical Extravaganza that kicks off the parade, featuring Miguel Lopez singing the National Anthem, as well as an opening with the UTRGV Marching Band and a dazzling dance opening number, choreographed by Artistic Director Julie Doyle, in collaboration with all three McAllen I.S.D. high school dance teams, Melba’s Dance School, the UTRGV Flag Corps, and 400 talented MISD elementary students performing the parade’s official theme song, written and sung by McAllen’s own Maria D’Luz. This show-stopping performance will light up the stadium, topped off by a stunning fireworks display!
City of McAllen Dist. 4 Comm. Rudy Castillo reiterated the airport’s vision to launch new routes and create unique partnerships, like the one with the Dallas Cowboys, that will help the McAllen International Airport, the Rio Grande Valley’s preferred airport, to expect to see it’s one millionth traveler this month.
Bands interested in participating in the eight-time internationally recognized Best Parade in the World should contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department by calling (956) 681-3320 or by emailing at PARDmarketing@mcallen.net.
Volunteers for balloon handlers and banner carriers are still needed. Balloon handler volunteers must be 18 years or over, while banner carriers must be 16 years or over. All volunteers must go through a background check and will receive gloves, t-shirt and snacks. Learn more by visiting Las Palmas Community Center located at 1921 N 25thStreet or by calling Las Palmas at (956) 681-3350.
Anyone interested in participating in the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade, a pintsize celebration of the big parade, have less than one month to submit their holiday parade entry – on a shoebox. Open to children, adults, families, schools, non-profits and civic organizations, all creativity and imagination is invited to participate. MHP tickets and swag will be given to every entry for this year’s parade. The grand prize will be VIP MHP Stadium Tickets and Meet & Greet Passes for the 2025 presentation of the parade along with and a $50 VISA gift card for 2nd and 3rdplace prizes. Winning entries will be announced at the 2025 Christmas in July press conference.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 27, 2024 by 12:00 p.m. at McAllen City Hall, Office of Communications. The winning entries will be premiered in a televised production in stadium, on MCN and on all streaming platforms on Saturday, December 7, right before the McAllen Holiday Parade steps off.
Celebrity hosts Mario Lopez and Linda Tovar will make their return appearance for the English rebroadcast of the parade and international star Julian Gil for the Spanish-language rebroadcast. The McAllen Holiday Parade airs on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the top 33 U.S. Hispanic markets, while airing live locally on every network. Tickets for the parade are already on sale and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets start at just $10. Act quickly, as the stadium is expected to sell out!
For the latest information on the parade, follow McAllen Holiday Parade and the City of McAllen on all social media platforms.
