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Danny Trejo to join 2025 McAllen Holiday Parade; city announces tickets, giant eagle balloon and giveaways
Summary
At a City of McAllen press event, officials announced actor Danny Trejo will be a celebrity guest at the 2025 McAllen Holiday Parade on Dec. 6. Organizers also disclosed ticket prices, a new giant eagle balloon, sponsor participation and the Santa's Christmas Adventure giveaway winner.
At a City of McAllen press event on Oct. (press event), Commissioner Pepe Cabecednevaca of District 6 announced that actor Danny Trejo will be a celebrity guest at the 2025 McAllen Holiday Parade on Dec. 6 in McAllen.
Irvin Chafa, director of communications for the City of McAllen, opened the event by promoting this year’s theme, saying, “Christmas across America is coming soon to the McAllen Holiday Parade.” Commissioner Pepe Cabecednevaca then introduced Trejo, saying, “Please join me in welcoming him. Nonetheless, Danny Trejo to the 2025 McAllen Holiday Parade.”
Why it matters: Parade organizers and city officials said the celebrity appearance, new giant balloon and longtime sponsor support are part of efforts to expand the parade’s reach. City officials said last year the parade’s online presence drew well over a quarter of a million visits to mccallenholidayparade.com and that 2025 is on track to be the event’s largest edition yet.
Officials also announced logistics and promotions. City Manager Isaac Tooele described ticketing and seating options for the opening extravaganza at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium and the parade route: “VIP tickets with lower level seating and the best view of the opening extravaganza are now on sale for just $35. Preferred stadium seating facing the opening extravaganza is available for $20. And general parade seating is just $10.” Tooele said premium experiences such as the McAllen International Airport skybox and the South Padre Island Delta Zone have sold out early in prior years and encouraged advance purchase at mccallenholidayparade.com.
Organizers confirmed the parade will follow a roughly 1.5-mile route along Bicentennial Boulevard and that there will remain free viewing along the route in addition to paid seating and nonprofit fundraising ticket options. The city and partners will present pre-parade events including a carnival at Municipal Park and Christmas in the Park in partnership with Visit McAllen.
L and F Distributors, the press-event host, will return to the parade with an illuminated float and other attractions, company representatives said. Isaac Tooele and L and F’s Morgan Lamantia also noted the unveiling of a new giant eagle balloon that will appear in the parade.
Organizers named H-E-B as the presenting sponsor; Bert Ogden Auto Group (presented as powering the parade); and a list of supporting sponsors that includes McAllen International Airport, South Padre Island, Lone Star National Bank, Reliance, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Lone Star Ambulance, Budweiser, PepsiCo, South Texas ISD, South Texas College, McAllen ISD and others.
The press event also announced the latest winner in the Santa’s Christmas Adventure social media giveaway. Isaac Tooele named Claudia Pena (Instagram handle noted in the event) as the winner of the Palm Springs giveaway and said the prize includes a meet-and-greet with Danny Trejo.
City officials and parade partners encouraged residents to follow the McAllen Holiday Parade social channels for rules and future giveaways and to purchase tickets at mccallenholidayparade.com. The parade is scheduled to step off from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium on Dec. 6. No formal government votes or policy actions were taken at the press event.
