Weather postpones Christmas parade

WESLACO — Incoming cold temperatures and wet weather put a damper on this year’s Mid-Valley Lighted Christmas Parade and Winter Fest 2009.

Originally scheduled for Dec. 4, the festivities have been postponed until Dec. 17, a Thursday evening. The parade is set to begin at 6 p.m. and will run along Texas Boulevard from Pike Boulevard to Sixth Street.

“It is disappointing, it’s one of those things you can’t control,” said Weslaco Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Alicia Aguilar. “It happened last year, too. (The rescheduled event) will be more of a Christmas mood, part of a celebration going out shopping.”

This year’s theme “A Rock Band Christmas” is aimed at youngsters who enjoy video Guitar Hero gaming on Microsoft’s XBox 360 and Sony’s Playstation 3. On top of that, the Rock-N-Roll spirit should ring familiar with the older generation that actually lived to see the classic rock music during its heyday.

“This theme spans generations,” Aguilar said. “It goes from people who like Nintendo, Xbox, to people who like Rock-N-Roll.”

Deadlines for entries were also extended to Dec. and so far there are more than 70 entries for the parade, Aguilar said. The Christmas Parade committee chose current president of the Weslaco Parks & Recreations Advisory Board Howdy Smith to be this year’s Parade Marshal.  The parade is expected to feature antique cars, dancers, school groups, marching bands, equestrians and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

“There are so many people involved,” Aguilar said. “This is a good size parade.

After the parade, a Winter Fest is scheduled at the City Hall parking lot where the public can enjoy activities such as choir singing, kiddie rides, free face painting and food vendors.