Hats off to McAllen! - one of the most progressive cities in the Rio Grande Valley. They seem to always have something big and wonderful planned for us to enjoy...from the huge Christmas Parade to the upcoming Fiesta de Palmas, formerly called Palm Fest. Not only is McAllen progressive, but they are also the largest city in Hidalgo County and according to the last census, McAllen is the 22nd most populous city in Texas.
City of McAllen and the McAllen Convention Center Facilities announced its first major public event will be celebrated in a reimagined new normal. Fiesta de Palmas, presented by Reliant, will be celebrated this weekend, Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, at Oval Park at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Boulevard. The event will feature social distanced, drive-through, curbside and virtual activities.
The Pharr Community Theater (PCT) is offering half hour online acting classes from November 9 to December 4, twice a week, for kids, teens and adults. Learn the basics of acting and a little more including auditioning tips and digging deeper to discover characters and real acting. Classes will be on zoom.
Make the most of the fall bird migration by joining Quinta Mazatlán’s Center for Urban Ecology for a journey into the world of migratory birds on Saturday morning, November 7. The presentation will deepen your understanding of bird migration and elucidate what we can do to help birds on their journey. You will leave the presentation empowered to make a difference for our bird community and with a deeper appreciation for these winged wonders. You can also purchase bird-friendly plants from Heep’s Native Plant Nursery at Quinta Mazatlán to jumpstart your bird habitat from 9 a.m. to noon.
Read more: Bird Migration Morning, Native Plant Sale at Quinta Mazatlán
Nestled on a 15-acre tract of land near downtown Weslaco, Frontera Audubon is a city escape for the birds, butterflies and other wildlife that make it their home. Filled with rich vegetation, it’s hard to imagine that just a few feet away heavy traffic runs up and down Texas Blvd. It has become a birding hotspot for Weslaco. At one time, this place was an abandoned grapefruit orchard and thicket of Guinea grass and Mesquite – an area the city had wanted cleared in 1989.
We received this adorable photo from Sara Young this past weekend and thought we would share it and her message. “For Halloween this year, we truly missed our trip visiting Mission Bell for trick or treating! I’ve been going since I was a little girl, and now have been taking my little family. Although we missed it this year, our babies decided to pay tribute to their wonderful Winter Texan friends dressing up as...well... Winter Texans! Here is Noah Young (three years old) and Grace Young (six months old). Little Grace missed her first year visiting Mission Bell, but we are hopeful to take her next year!” Parents are Sara and Caleb Young.
The annual celebration of Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead is not as spooky as it sounds; it is a celebration of life begging on the eve of October 31 until its culmination on November 2. It is a vibrant and colorful celebration; it is not about fear or sadness, but the return of the souls of friends and family. Where the dead are welcomed with colorful costumes, food, drinks, and celebration.
While social distancing is still being practiced in many activities, several of our local festivals have had to change the way they do things this year. Some have been cancelled and have next years dates on their website – so please look for those and prepare for next year.
Each year, thousands of people unite to commemorate Veterans Day, a holiday that honors all those who have served the country in war or peace. This year, the City of Mission is honoring local military heroes with a Veterans’ Appreciation BBQ Saturday, Nov. 7. The drive-thru event at Mission Event Center will feature a chicken plate with all the trimmings, while supplies last.
“We want to make sure our community recognizes the true meaning behind Veterans Day,” Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said. “We must honor the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. I wish we could host our second annual parade, but the safety of our community is first and foremost so we had to change things up this year to take the necessary coronavirus precautions.”
Operation Christmas, Samaritan’s Purse, is in full swing for this upcoming Christmas season. Boxes were delivered recently to several locations so participants could get started on building boxes for those less fortunate in other countries. This year, because of social distancing, there are additional ways to participate and there will be a no touch collection at Baptist Temple in McAllen.
