South Pole Illuminated Festival returns for the holidays
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- Published: Wednesday, 24 November 2021 09:00
The new South Pole Illuminated Festival is bringing back magical experiences for the holidays.
The McAllen Convention Center cordially invites the community to help kick-off the Christmas Season at the 9th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony taking place at the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park on Wednesday, December 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy holiday musical performances right before the 64-foot, pre-lit Christmas tree will light up Oval Park, along with millions of lights that will be featured in South Pole Illuminated Festival.
Read more: South Pole Illuminated Festival returns for the holidays
The Palm Gardens Ladies Luncheon group started off this season catching up with old friends, getting to know some of the new residents, while enjoying a great lunch at the New York Deli in downtown Harlingen. After a nice, leisurely lunch, the group of 18 ladies ventured out to the streets to view the more than 20 larger-than-life-size murals which depict various aspects of the Rio Grande Valley’s history and culture. In addition to the amazing murals that are part of the walking tour, there are many more wonderful murals to see in the downtown area.
The McAllen Holiday Parade organizers recently announced more exciting news to celebrate the Christmas season in the official South Pole of Texas, this time with a Rio Grande Valley musical spectacular that will air across the country. A line-up of 13 of the region’s top high school marching bands from McAllen, Donna, Edinburg, La Joya, Pharr, and Santa Rosa will be “Rockin’ Around the South Pole” as they perform in this year’s parade line-up.
While some may think it is still a little early to unpack the holiday decorations, The Salvation Army has been hard at work, planning Christmas programs for several months. Now, as the red kettles are appearing outside stores, and Angel Trees are being set up, volunteers are needed to help ensure men, women, and children in need throughout our community experience the joys of Christmas.
The Gelman Stained Glass Museum in San Juan is scheduled to open its doors soon. The 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of stained-glass windows in the United States. The museum is conveniently located across from the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle.
This GivingTuesday, November 30, consider donating $1 to Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) every time you have wanted to adopt a pet or help an animal in their care. 
AUSTIN — With the first sightings of iconic, endangered whooping cranes along the Texas coast being reported, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to be on the lookout for these impressive birds as they move through the state.
AUSTIN— Texas State Parks and the Texas Historical Commission are hosting their biggest holiday season yet with more than 80 unique holiday events happening across the state. Having started this past Saturday, Nov. 20, 47 Texas State Parks and eight State Historic Sites are presenting themed guided walks, scavenger hunts and more.
Happy Thanksgiving. And we have so much to be thankful for. We live in a beautiful, wonderful world alive with trees and flowers and friends. Blue skies and warm sunshine. Most of us have plenty of food, a warm bed, and a sheltered home waiting for us at the end of each day. But not everyone is so blessed. Some families are without jobs and have too many mouths to feed. Or maybe they are handicapped or a single parent with just more than too much responsibility. Let us all give thanks for what we do have. Truly the months of November and December are months of celebration and thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is this week and I do hope you all have a great one. With this, it means that cities throughout the valley are getting ready for their Christmas tree lightings and parades. If you get a chance, visit one, or more, of these and celebrate with your community. It’s a wonderful time of year, and it’s even better when we have the chance to spend it with others.
