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Written by Roberto Hugo González
It’s a morning at the L&F Distributors warehouse, and excitement fills the air as McAllen gears up for the 11th annual Holiday Parade, the largest lights and helium balloon parade in Texas. With a month to go, McAllen City Commissioner Pepe Cabeza de Vaca held a press conference with obvious enthusiasm. “Good morning, good morning, good morning!” he greeted cheerfully. “It’s a great day, beautiful morning here in McAllen, Antarctica, Texas. I love it!”
Expressing his gratitude to all the sponsors, Mr. Cabeza de Vaca highlighted the partnership with local businesses, especially L&F Distributors. “Since the beginning, they have been a great supporter of this great event, not only the McAllen Holiday Parade, but also other events like MXLAN, Fiesta de Palmas, and the McAllen Marathon.” He thanked a Lamantia family for their contributions to the community over the years.
The commissioner’s son, Pepito, 7, is looking forward to this year’s festival. “My son, who is probably the biggest fan of this parade, told me last night that SpongeBob (known in Spanish as Bob Espoña) is not only coming with us this year, but he’s bringing his friends as well. ” That friend, Secretary Cabeza de Vaca announced, is none other than the world-loved Hello Kitty. “This year’s parade will debut the stunning 30-foot-tall Hello Kitty Balloon. She is a generational character and we are thrilled to have her with us.”
Following the commissioner, McAllen City Manager Isaac “Ike” Tawil took to the stage and added some light-hearted comments. “Doesn’t it put a smile on your face when you’re in a warehouse full of beer?” he asked, drawing laughs from the crowd. Mr Tawil thanked HEB, the organizers of the parade, saying their support had been invaluable “from day one”. “Our good friends at Bert Ogden Motors are behind this huge event, and this community has embraced it and is really looking forward to it,” he said.
As the countdown clock approaches, Tawil encouraged attendees to check out the official website, mcallenholidayparade.com. There, the exact days, hours, minutes, and seconds are tracked right up to your big day. Tawil’s excitement increased when he revealed a special guest: “Mariachi Kid” Mateo Adalberto López. Mateo, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s youngest mariachi and now a sensation on major TV shows and events, will sing the national anthem. “Friends, we are proud to announce that Mateo the Mariachi Kid will be opening this great festival. His journey has been extraordinary and we are proud to share his talents with our parade. I’m excited about what I can bring to the table.”
Nick LaMantia of L&F Distributors added his own brand of humor when he took to the stage. “Nick came in Aunt Val’s place. He was much more beautiful, smarter, and more eloquent than I was,” he joked, then moved on to the nitty-gritty of the event’s significance. “What makes this parade so unique is the community aspect. It speaks to the culture, right? I haven’t missed this place since I moved back here to McAllen two years ago. It’s amazing. My kids love it.” LaMantia praised the city for organizing such a valuable holiday event and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute. “Our family has been part of this community since the ’70s, maybe even before, and we’re really excited to be here and continue this partnership for many years to come.”
In addition to family-friendly floats and popular characters, LaMantia introduced a unique L&F attraction, “Spider Dome,” at the parade. He expressed hope that the city would continue to embrace the partnership, adding that the children look forward to it every year. “We want to keep doing this as long as you support us. We’re really excited about it.”
At the conclusion of the meeting regarding pre-parade celebrations, Yajaira Flores Delgado of the McAllen Convention Center expressed enthusiasm. “Every time we come to one of these press conferences, we get in the Christmas spirit. It’s a great way to talk about all the exciting things we’re doing.” She said the excitement begins before the parade even begins before the opening. He gave details about the festival.
“This year, for the second year in a row, the UTRGV marching band will perform and get into the Christmas spirit for the inaugural football season,” Flores Delgado said. The pre-show will also include a collaboration with three McAllen high schools, with more than 400 students scheduled to sing the official theme song for the McAllen Holiday Parade. “The show will light up the stadium and a fireworks display will conclude the extravaganza, and the UTRGV Marching Band will lead the parade as the official step-off band as the final glow fills the sky,” she explained.
Tickets for the parade are selling quickly, with stadium seats selling first. “I encourage everyone to get their tickets now,” Flores Delgado said. “Available at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office or on Ticketmaster.com. Hurry, we’re sure to sell out!”
Excitement for McAllen’s 11th Annual Holiday Parade grows with each announcement. This year promises to bring even more magic with fan-favorite characters, talented local performers, and a heartwarming sense of community. Commissioner Cabeza de Vaca emphasized, “The McAllen Holiday Parade is more than just an event, it’s a tradition, one that brightens not only our streets but also our spirits.”
