McAllen Plans Independence Day Celebration

Call for entries for parade, Little Miss contestants and Independence 4K Run registration

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McAllen Plans Independence Day Celebration

Independence Day, July 4, flagThe City of McAllen is preparing for this year’s McAllen Independence Day Celebration taking place July 4. The city, along with presenter by H-E-B, is inviting the community to take part in all of the patriotic festivities.

The 94th annual Independence Day Celebration includes an early morning patriotic program, the Main Street Parade and the Freedom Festival in Archer Park, 101 North Main Street. Music, food and games will be highlights of the events.

The Grand Marshal for this year’s Main Street Parade will be the McAllen I.S.D. Board of Trustees and superintendent.

“This group of individuals understands what it means to invest in the future” said McAllen City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez. “As leaders in education, our McAllen Independent School District continues to show the region, and the state, that McAllen is about the people. After recently being awarded the 2022 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award for the Largest School District, we know education in McAllen is in good hands.”

Calls For Parade Entries

For any  group or organization wishing to be a part of the Main Street Parade, which kicks off at 9 a.m., the City of McAllen Parks & Recreation Department is currently accepting entries. Businesses, civic and youth groups, nonprofit organizations, and especially veterans and veterans’ groups may participate in the parade and other festivities.

All entries should feature a patriotic theme. Entries should fit into one of the following categories: antique vehicles, marching/walking, color guard, vehicle club, float, horses, band or pageant. For more guidelines and information, see entry application. Entries for businesses are $150 and non-profits can enter at no cost as long as they provide a 501 C(3). The deadline for parade entries is June 3.

There will be a parade entry meeting with all participants the week before the event.

Little Miss 4th of July

The Little Miss 4th of July pageant takes place June 11. Organizers are also looking for the “sparkliest and most patriotic” contestants to compete in the Little Miss 4th of July pageant competition. This year’s competition will feature four different age categories and for the older girls, an interview and talent portion. Registration fee is $50. While those competing do not need to live in McAllen, they cannot be holding any other pageant titles. Deadline to register is June 9 or when a category fills, as there is a cap of contestants in each category.

Entry forms for the parade and pageant are available by contacting the Parks & Recreation Department at pardmarketing@mcallen.net or 956-681-3333. Forms are also available at the the McAllen Parks & Recreation Office on 1000 South Ware Road.

Independence Day 4K Run

There will also be an Independence Day 4K Run starting at 7 a.m. on July 4. The City of McAllen Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Team Red White and Blue, a national veterans’ organization whose mission it is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. The race, which is just under 2.5 miles, is open to anyone ages 7 years old and up. The event begins and ends at Archer Park.

The registration fee is $30. The first 300 runners will receive a runner’s shirt and a finisher medal. All proceeds from the race will benefit the local chapter of Team RWB.

To learn more or to register for the race, visit mcallenparks.net.

More Independence Day Activities

Other activities on July 4 include the Patriotic Program, which will begin at 8 a.m. from Archer Park. Immediately following is the Main Street Parade which will run along Main Street from Houston Avenue to Beech Avenue. Festivities take place at Freedom Festival at Archer Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include classic family fun, music, food and games. The celebration continues from 6-9 p.m. at Municipal Park with food, live music and entertainment.

Starting at 9 p.m., the H-E-B Concert in the Sky fireworks extravaganza will go live from Municipal Park. Viewers can listen to the fireworks set to patriotic music by tuning in to 710-AM KURV.

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