Texas Border Business
(McAllen, TX) This year’s award-winning McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by La Plaza Mall, promises to be a star-studded event that will feature star athletes who are integral members of America’s Team and a chance for free tickets by simply purchasing family favorites at H-E-B stores throughout the Texas border.
“I am so excited to announce that this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade Grand Marshal is Ezekiel Elliott, running back for the Dallas Cowboys,” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. “As the #1 running back in the league right now, Ezekiel brings such excitement and passion to the game and is so proud to wear silver and blue and that star on his helmet. We know that he will enchant Dallas Cowboys fans of all ages at the parade.”
“If that weren’t enough, he will be joined by his teammates Cole Beasley, who is currently the #1 wide receiver in the league, and Darius Jackson, back-up running back for Ezekiel. This is truly a star-studded line-up,” Rodriguez concluded.
As parade grand marshal, Elliott will lead the parade on one of the first floats. Beasley and Jackson will also be featured on their own floats, allowing fans an opportunity to see their favorite current Dallas Cowboys players throughout the parade.
“I am so proud to have been asked to be the grand marshal for the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Elliott. “I am looking forward to being a part of this amazing holiday celebration.” While Jackson echoed Elliott’s sentiment, Beasley, a Texas native, had this to say:
“I know I will be in Dallas Cowboys Country when I am in McAllen, so I expect to see everyone in their Cowboys gear at the 2016 McAllen Holiday Parade.”
“La Plaza Mall is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor of the McAllen Holiday Parade,” said Isabel Rodriguez, director of marketing and business development for La Plaza Mall. “It will be a special treat to see all of the Valley’s Cowboys fans at this year’s celebration. The excitement of the holiday season is evident at La Plaza Mall and we are thrilled to show our continued commitment to our community through this sponsorship.”
Getting a chance to see not only these stars, but also, the illuminated floats, larger-than-life helium balloons and amazing performing bands up-close and personal is one of the advantages of stadium seating. For a family wanting to maximize their dollars during the holiday, one of the best ways to get tickets to the stadium is to take advantage of an incredible promotion being offered by Kraft at Texas border H-E-B stores.
“We are honored to celebrate the reason for the season with our beloved McAllen community during the most anticipated holiday event of the year,” said Tony Gonzalez, Director of Merchandising and Marketing H-E-B Border Region. “This exclusive partnership is our way of saying thank you to the community for their continued support of H-E-B throughout the Rio Grande Valley.”
Starting on November 9, visit your local H-E-B store and purchase your three favorite Kraft/Heinz products. Take your H-E-B cash register receipt to the McAllen Convention Center, located at 700 Convention Boulevard to redeem your receipt for a ticket to the parade. The promotion continues through November 29, but supplies are limited. Tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
“Once again, the Kraft Heinz family of products is honored to partner with H-E-B and the McAllen Holiday Parade in bringing such signature event to the community, filled with holiday cheer, delicious food and fun entertainment for the entire family,” said Judy Anderson, Kraft Heinz Company South Area Shopper Marketing Lead. “Along with H-E-B, we continue our long-term commitment of serving the community of McAllen. We look forward to building on the parade’s success from last year and are excited to join in the celebration of this year’s festive holiday tradition!”
The parade will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 and is the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloon parade in Texas. The parade features 50 vibrant lighted floats, 36 larger-than-life inflatable character balloons, 13 bands and a celebrity filled line-up and this year, features the musical theme of Entertainment on Parade. The one and a half mile long parade route begins at 6:00 p.m., starting from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 North Bicentennial Boulevard, where reserved seating is available and heads south on Bicentennial Boulevard to Business U.S. Business 83, where free seating is available along the route on a first come, first serve basis. Stadium seating tickets are also available for purchase at the McAllen Convention Center, a free Park & Ride Polar Express Shuttle will be offered by Metro McAllen at South Texas College and volunteers are needed for the event. For more information on the parade and related activities, visit www.mcallenholidayparade.com.
The Texas Fightin’ Aggie Band from Texas A&M University is the step-off band for the parade, which features the theme Entertainment on Parade.
Cole Beasley, #11 –Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver
Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Cole Beasley joined America’s Team in 2012. Known as one of the National Football League’s best slot receivers, Beasley, leads the Dallas Cowboys in receptions (37), receiving yardage (443) and receiving touchdowns (3) through the first seven games of this NFL season. Beasley is well on his way to shatter last year’s stats with 52 catches, 536 yards and five touchdowns.
Signed as an undrafted free agent, Beasley led the Southern Methodist University’s Mustangs with 86 catches for 1,040 yards and a pair of touchdowns his senior year. As a junior, Beasley started all 14 games and was named Second-Team All-Conference USA with 1,060 yards and six touchdowns on 87 catches – second in a season in school history. As a sophomore, he played all 12 games with seven starts and was fourth on the squad with 40 catches, 493 yards and three touchdowns. Beasley ended his freshman year with 42 catches for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
With the loss of star wide receiver Dez Bryant in the first six games, many expected rookie quarterback Dak Prescott to struggle with his limited receiving corps. However, Beasley has stepped up in Byant’s absence and has helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to a 5-1 record to start the year. If Prescott and Beasley continue to connect as they have so far, the Dallas Cowboys will indeed be a force to be reckoned with in the latter half of the 2016 season.
Darius Jackson, #34 –Dallas Cowboys Running Back
Darius Jackson is a running back for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Eastern Michigan University. Jackson was selected 216th overall by the Cowboys in the 6th round of the 2016 National Football League Draft.
The 6’, 221-pound back turned in a 4.35 second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical during his NFL Draft try-out.
He accepted a scholarship from Eastern Michigan University. As a sophomore, he appeared in 7 games (one start) and had 201 rushing yards. The next year, he played in all 12 games (4 starts), posting 295 rushing yards. As a senior he had a break out year, rushing for 1,078 yards on 208 carries (5.2 avg.), 14 rushing touchdowns, 21 receptions for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jackson was named All-Area as an Illinois high schooler where he played quarterback, running back and safety. He received All-conference honors on both sides of the ball and was an Academic All-State selection. Named the starter as a senior, he scored 16 touchdowns, ran for 1,088 yards on 208 carries and added 21 catches for 201 yards.
Jackson’s speed combined with his skill set and determination makes him a great asset to America’s team.
Ezekiel Elliott, #21 –Dallas Cowboys Running Back
Ezekiel “Zeke” Elliott was selected as the 4th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 National Football League Draft. Coming off back-to-back games with well over 100 rushing yards, it’s been a quite start to the season for the sensational running back. Through a quarter of the 2016 NFL season, Elliott leads the entire NFL in rushing yards. Elliott has now gained a league-leading 799 yards — the second-most ever by a rookie over the first seven games of his NFL career. Not only is he the #1 rusher in the NFL, he is also the leading the league in rush yards per gain with 114.1 yards and is currently in 8th place in the league for touchdowns, with 5 through the first half of the season.
Success is nothing new to Elliott. Throughout his three years as an Ohio State Buckeye, Ezekiel achieved the second-most rushing yards in school history – 3,961 – including the most rushing yards in consecutive years: 3,699 in 2014 and 2015. Elliott’s 6.7 yards per carry is best among the Buckeyes with his five 200-yard games and 22 100-yard games ranking in a tie for first and second, respectively. The Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and its Running Back of the Year in 2015, Elliott also was the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award winner and a Second-Team All-American. He had 12 career rushes over 50 yards and he is the only Ohio State player with three rushes of at least 80 yards.
Despite Ezekiel’s athletic pedigree, Elliott attended more academically-driven John Burroughs School in Ladue, Missouri, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track. As a standout track & field athlete, Elliott was a state qualifier in sprinting and hurdling events. He capped his high school career by winning four state championships at the Missouri Class 3 state championships in less than three hours.
Elliott has been labeled as the best, most complete back to enter the draft since Adrian Peterson, 9 years prior. The Dallas Cowboys running back is projected by many as the favorite for the 2016-2017 NFL Rookie of the Year.
