With social distancing being a huge factor this year, many holiday celebrations are just not the same. With that being said, many cities have made changes to their holiday celebrations to fit the needs of the community and follow state and county guidelines. Some museums also have Christmas displays that might be of interest.
By Colleen Hook, Executive Director, Quinta Mazatlán
Amazing things happen in nature in the wintertime, and everyone senses that change is coming. Many cultures around the world have winter festivals that involve celebrations of light, including Christmas with tree lights, Hanukkah with the nine-branched Menorah, Kwanzaa with the seven-candle Kinara, Las Posadas with children lighting the way with candles, and many more.
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and leaders from the City of Brownsville, the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, and across Cameron County, Texas, marked the opening of the Historic Battlefield Trail Extension at a private ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Palo Alto Battlefield last month.
The City of McAllen, in conjunction with the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization, is encouraging residents to take advantage of the many hike and bike trails in the community and to post the information on their social media, utilizing the hash tag #TrailMoments. The effort is part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy Trail Moment initiative, in hopes to capture moments of joy, solitude, exercise and self-care.
The Brownsville Historical Museum has a wonderful display to delight young and old and all those in between. Not only is this an outstanding museum, but each year for the Christmas Season they have a special exhibit of a miniature village. Filling stations, houses, stores and even a Starbucks will all be displayed in miniature.
By Herb Moering
No virus pandemic was going to stop the City of Alamo from welcoming in the Christmas season on Saturday, Dec. 12. However, the traditional parade for “Lighting Our Way into 2021” was impacted to some degree with a shift to just decorated and lighted vehicles, with bands and other marchers eliminated and fewer spectators lining the route.
A drive through downtown Mercedes can take you back in time. There are many buildings on S. Texas Ave. and the nearby streets of downtown that still show the architecture from eras past. Some buildings have been restored for newer purposes but have still maintained the historic architecture of their original build.
The Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is keeping the cheer in their city. They are having a Christmas Light Display on December 12.
The city will have some fun curbside giveaways during the event. Visit them at 275 S. Kansas. Christmas cookies and hot chocolate will also be available for guests.
South Padre Island will hold their lighted boat parade and firework show on Saturday, December 12. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Boats will start from Sea Ranch Marina to Aries Street. Pick a spot and stay a safe distance from others.
Tripp: The Man in the Red Suit
By Barb Zanetti
(Photos by Dennis Zanetti)
Alamo Rec-Veh Park
He has been a bride. A pirate. A clown. But this Winter Texan really shines in a red suit with 1,000’s of children on his lap.
It does not matter that sometimes he is in a foreign country. Nor does it matter that he is sitting in the scorching sun for hours in a heavy, authentic Santa suit.
