Special seating along route, prizes for watching and help bring parade to life

With just a little over two months to go until the best parade in the world takes to the streets of McAllen, the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships, parade organizers are inviting the community to come be a part of the celebration and help bring the parade to life.

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos announced the return of the McAllen Holiday Parade sweepstakes, where, starting today, anyone can simply text the word “MCALLEN” to #474747 for a chance to win prizes, such as H-E-B gift cards; Xbox Series X; PS5; iPhone 13; and $1,000 holiday cash to name a few.

“Today, I am thrilled to say that not only is watching the parade an amazing experience, but now, it pays to watch and win!” said Villalobos. “The lawyer in me must remind you that no purchase is necessary to participate in this sweepstakes.”

Actual prize giveaways start on Monday, November 1 and continue through the day of the parade, Saturday, December 4. The sweepstakes will be launched across all McAllen Holiday parade platforms, including website and social media. Participants can win big each week and then, play LIVE during the McAllen Holiday Parade to win top holiday prizes. One of the top prizes is sponsored by Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships and includes is a VIP experience that includes Meet & Greet Tickets for the celebrities, stadium seating and McAllen Holiday Parade swag, the hottest items out there!

“We at Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships are so proud to help bring this parade to the streets of McAllen,” said Marsha Green, Vice-President of Marketing for Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships. “We are bringing Christmas magic and holiday traditions to the children of the Rio Grande Valley and that is a wonderful reason to celebrate.”

One of the reasons the McAllen Holiday Parade has earned Best Parade in Texas and the World is a gold-award winning volunteer program. The phenomenon that happens only at the McAllen Holiday Paradeknown as “Vuelta” is only possible because of parade volunteers. The community is invited to sign up to be one of hundreds of balloon handlers that spin giant helium balloons throughout the 1.5-mile parade route as the crowd chants “Vuelta.”

Additionally, volunteers can light up the parade by holding one of the McAllen Holiday Parade’s over 100 lighted banners that walk just in front of the floats, balloons or bands.

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 a volunteer badge a scheduled event. Learn more at www.volunteersotx.org or send questions or to sign up at pardvolunteers@mcallen.net.

There are lots of ways to watch the McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships and that includes parade route seating along Bicentennial Blvd. Parade route chair tickets will be available for purchase starting on Monday, October 4 at any one of the McAllen community centers for only $10, including Lark Community Center, 2601 Lark Avenue; Las Palmas Community Center, 1921 N. 25^th St.; and Las Palmas Community Center, 3401 Jordan Rd. W.

These seats are so popular that selling them as a fundraiser is an opportunity that is available one again only to non-profit or other community organizations. Groups interested in participating in this fundraiser activity can contact Lark Community Center for more details and to sign up.

The parade will step off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2001 N. Bicentennial Blvd. and anyone wanting to watch the U.S. Air Force in stadium can buy tickets for the parade at www.ticketmaster.com or at the McAllen Convention Center Box Office. Ticket prices start at $10, plus service fees. Celebrities Mario Lopez and Julian Gil will serve as co-hosts for the parade.

The McAllen Holiday Parade, presented by H-E-B , is the largest illuminated and helium balloon holiday parade in Texas and uses 15 miles of rope light, which generates 1,875,000 lumens of light to properly illuminate the parade and 44,500 cubic feet of helium to keep those giant balloons afloat and is powered by 12,000 horsepower by over 50 trucks from Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships.

The 2021 McAllen Holiday Parade is presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships, Budweiser, and Reliant. Other sponsors include McAllen I.S.D.; McAllen International Airport; McAllen International Bridge System; McAllen Public Utility; Matt’s Building Materials; Stripes/Laredo Taco Company; Metro McAllen; University of Texas-RGV; Peña Eye Institute; Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson; McAllen Chamber of Commerce; PepsiCo.; McAllen Public Works; Tres Lagos; AEP Texas; McAllen Economic Development Corp.; Hermes; Lacks; Whataburger; Taco Palenque; Carollo Engineers; KSA Engineers; MedCare EMS; Halff Associates; Raba Kistner Consultants, Inc.; S&B Infrastructure.