LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Jorge Quijano,

LAREDO, Texas – Where can you get a snow slide, ice skating, train rides, cookies & cocoa, watch the tree lighting with Santa Claus all for free?  At the Navidadfest 2015!  Interested attendees should mark their calendars for Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 5:00-9:00 p.m.

“The event last year really lit up the holiday season for me and got us off to a great start, celebrating the season as a community,” stated Council Member Roque Vela, Jr., representative of the area where the event will take place and Master of Ceremonies on the live entertainment stage. “This year it promises to be better, and I really want to encourage Laredo’s families to come out and enjoy it.  Everything is free, and we invested in more ice skates so that more people could take to the arena floor and enjoy this very special seasonal offering.”

The early evening event features an added hour of fun and child-oriented activities than even before and a stunning tree-lighting countdown complete with a color-wash display on the front of the Laredo Energy Arena that will dash away all the hum-bugs!

“This marks the third year for the Navidadfest and the City of Laredo tree lighting at the LEA,” Xavier Villalon, General Manager of the SMG- Managed Laredo Energy Arena. “We invite everyone to come deck the arena with holiday seasonal cheer and enjoy the numerous activities!”

Schedule of activities open from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. include:

       Photos with Santa- Line up and wait your turn, for a chance to take a picture with Santa starting at 5:00 p.m.  At 6:30 he will take a short break and step away, but photos will resume shortly after the tree lighting at 7:00 p.m. and continue until the end of the event.

       Snow-slide and play area- Located just outside the performance area in the parking lot; little adventurers should get ready for a slippery slide and a snowy play area where you can clobber someone with a snowball or just get a little thrill dashing down the short incline.  This activity requires a short climb up a stairway.

       Ice Skating– Located inside the Arena, lace up your skates and spend a little time getting your balance or practicing you triple lutz to some holiday tunes!  Offered on a first come first serve basis in the lower bowl, this activity will require good physical health and a written liability release form signed on-site by a participating adult individual or by the participants’ parent or legal guardian.  Skate sizes and time is limited, please observe these rules as a courtesy to those waiting to enter into the activity.  You are also welcome to bring your own skates!

       Train Rides– Also located outside adjacent to the snow slide, this small locomotive is all kids need to be enthralled and to have a good time.  The train travels at a slow speed and Mom and Dad can ride along with their little one, if they want to!

       Cookies, Hot Cocoa, and Popcorn– being offered inside the Arena on the concourse of the building for free while supplies last, just follow the signs.

       Live entertainment starting at 6:00 p.m.– Located on the main stage on the front esplanade of the Laredo Energy Arena, performances by local students from both the Laredo and United Independent School Districts, as well as St. Augustine High School, will be performing all your holiday favorites throughout the night.

       Santa’s Workshop– Staffed by St. Nick’s cheery elves (City of Laredo library staff and volunteers), drop in to make your very own decorative ornament to trim your tree at home, for kids of all ages. Located off the concourse in meeting room 1-2 and on the other side of the building in room 5-6.

       Kids Finger Printing Station– Brought to you by the Laredo Police Department Community Relations Unit, located just inside the main entrance of the Arena.  Get a free finger print record for each of your children to take home; parents or guardians must fill out a short registration form for each participating child.

       Pet Adoption Area– Make the family merry by adding a four-legged new member to the clan!  Brought to you by the City of Laredo Health Department, check out some potential new pets located inside the LEA with access from the concourse near Gate B.

In addition to all these family oriented activities, one of the highlights of the event each year is the arrival of Santa Claus!  The special North Pole visitor will help the MC, Council Member Vela and Mayor Pete Saenz along with other special guests light up the night with a boisterous countdown and a magical illuminating moment where the more than 37,000 lights on the 52-foot tree come to life and a special projected color wash fills the front façade of the Arena.  This event highlight is schedule to take place at 7:00 p.m.  After Santa lights the tree, he will take his place next to Mrs. Claus in a special photo setting inside the LEA in front of Gate A.  Kids can tell Santa their wish list, take a photo and in a special little frame can take their memento home.  Photos are free and will be offered from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and again from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Motorists in and around the area of the Laredo Energy Arena are asked to proceed through the area with caution.  Observe all posted traffic signalization and barricades, as well as be attentive to officers staffing the major intersections to assist getting into and out of the event area.  Attendees to the event are asked to enter the LEA parking lots from either Sinatra Parkway into lots D or A or from Arena Boulevard on the north side to lot B and A.

For more information call the Laredo Energy Arena at 956.791.9192 or the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau at 956.795.2200.