Texas Border Business
The McAllen International Airport, the official South Texas Airport of the Dallas Cowboys, is bringing that high-flying stadium experience to the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group! At a press conference earlier today, Trevon Diggs, #7 starting cornerback with the Dallas Cowboys, joined parade organizers to announce that Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Tony Casillas would also make an appearance at this year’s event, joining previously announced Dallas Cowboys legends Tony Hill and Nate Newton.
“Every year, we build on the parade to make it bigger and brighter than the year before. And this year, we are innovating, especially for our Dallas Cowboys fans,” said McAllen District 3 Commissioner Omar Quintanilla. “I’m excited to present another Dallas Cowboys legend that will be visiting us on December 3 at this year’s McAllen Holiday ParadeL two-time Super Bowl champion, all-pro defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys- and a fellow Mexican American- # 75, Tony Casillas! ”
Also unveiled today will be a new feature for parade goers: a special Skybox Fan Experience zone, sponsored by the McAllen International Airport, that will be featured along the parade route.
“The McAllen International Airport is beyond thrilled to launch our new Skybox fan experience at the 2022 McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Elizabeth Saurez, Aviation director for the McAllen International Airport. “The McAllen International Airport Skybox is an exclusive parade party along this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade route that will feature entertainment for our Dallas Cowboys super fans,” she concluded.
In fact, the Skybox Fan Experience, an exclusive, reserved seating only area will feature all things Dallas Cowboys. Attendees who sit in this area will receive a t-shirt, noisemaker, and LED gift and will feature a celebrity host, airport and Dallas Cowboys memorabilia giveaways, as well as a DJ on an LED stage, perfect to highlight the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders who will also be a part of the zone. Tickets for the Skybox Fan Experience go on sale today at www.mcallenholidayparade.com for only $10.
Attendees to this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group, can begin their 2022 holiday season fun by celebrating under and with some legendary stars, Dallas Cowboys legendary stars that is. Parade organizers announced that coming to this year’s presentation of the event include three-time Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion and six-time Pro Bowler Nate Newton and Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Tony Hill. Additionally, thanks to the Dr. Raul Peña and Peña Eye Institute, the Dallas Cowboys‘ fan experience for this year will once again include the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Museum and Rowdy, the Dallas Cowboys mascot.
Anyone wishing to be a part of this year’s parade can do so in a variety of ways, including, submitting an entry for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade; or volunteering as a banner carrier or balloon handlers; and a call for high school bands throughout the region to perform in the annual McAllen Christmas parade.
Shoebox parade entries must be on a shoebox, and can include any type of arts & crafts, toys, holiday decorations, lights or countless elements to celebrate “South Pole & Beyond,” the theme of both the shoebox and the big parade. The winning shoebox float entry will be made into an actual float for the 2023 edition of the McAllen Holiday Parade. Entries are due no later than Wednesday, November 23, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. to the City of McAllen Office of Communications, McAllen City Hall, 1300 W. Houston Ave., 3rd Floor. For more information, visit www.mcallen.net.
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. All volunteers are required to have pardvolunteers@mcallen.net.
High school bands in the region who wish to participate in the McAllen Holiday Parade need to sign up now, as space is limited. Participating bands receive a $1,000 scholarship to assist with expenses related to appearing in the parade. Contact the McAllen Parks & Recreation Department to apply to participate in the parade.
The parade will step off at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2022 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. Ticket prices start at $10, plus service fees for stadium or Vuelta Zone seating for the parade and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the McAllen Performing Arts Center Box Office, 801Convention Center Blvd. There is also plenty of free seating along the parade route, on a first come basis.
For the past four years, the McAllen Holiday Parade has been named the Best Parade in the World, and this year, earned the Grand Pinnacle Award from the International Festivals and Events Organization. The McAllen Holiday Parade has also been named the Best Parade in Texas for the past five years by international and state event industry organizations.
The McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Auto Group and proudly sponsored by Reliant, McAllen International Airport and South Padre Island CVB. Other sponsors for the 2022 presentation of the McAllen Holiday Parade include Budweiser, McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger Attorneys at Law; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/MXLAN; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Tres Lagos Master Planned Community; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Lacks; Doña Lula; Hermes; Cigna; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; South Texas College; KSA Engineers; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure; AMR; Cigna; IBC; South Texas Vo-Tech; McDonald’s; JP Morgan Chase; Chick-fil-A Rio Grande Valley; PNC Bank; Rise & Shine with Manny; General Mills; O’Reilly Auto Parts; Windfield Communities, Explore McAllen, Plains Capital Bank, Valley Aids Council.
