City of Laredo’s NavidadFest To Light The Tree and Your Christmas Spirit

Parade, performances and pastorela only some of the activities slated for event

Laredo, TX—Wed., Dec. 3, 2008—“Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, riding down Santa Claus Lane.”

Actually, it will be San Bernardo Avenue, but after joining his helpers in the parade that kicks off NavidadFest on Saturday, December 6, 2008, the jolly old guy in the red suit will join City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas to officially “flip the switch,” at this year’s tree lighting ceremony in San Agustin Plaza.

“This is going to be such a wonderful event for the entire family,” said Mayor Salinas.  “Christmas is a beautiful time of year, when hope and magic are real and alive in the hearts and spirits of children.  Everything about NavidadFest’s activities will help herald in the Christmas season in Laredo.”

“I can’t wait to help Santa Claus with such an important mission of turning on the lights on our Christmas tree.  We really want to make Christmas special, especially for the children of Laredo,” he concluded.

Indeed, event organizers are hoping to dazzle the community with an array of activities to delight and create a sense of anticipation for the ever-approaching Christmas season, that revelers may think they are actually in Santa’s Village, instead of the two downtown locations for the event.

The revelry will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a parade and performances for the community.  The parade, featuring LISD and UISD dance and cheer groups, countless floats, mounted patrols, motorcycles, cars and of course, that famous Z-93/Guerra Communication Sleigh carrying Santa Claus and Mayor Salinas, will wind down San Bernardo Avenue, starting at the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and end at the Mercadito Plaza on Hidalgo (Laredo Center for the Arts).  

Attendees can watch the parade along the parade route, or already be waiting downtown to catch any number of performances that will already be taking place on one of two stages in San Agustin Plaza.  Co-MC’s, from Z-93/Guerra Communications “The Bird” and Sam Almanza will help tell the story of the various performers entertaining the crowd, until the official tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m., with help from additional Co-MC Tim Gutierrez of KGNS.

Performances will continue in San Agustin Plaza, while Santa Claus will greet children, take pictures and pass out goody bags, while his bag of goodies lasts.   Children will also get a chance to break any one of four holiday piñatas filled with candy.

At 7:00 p.m., the Pastorela, sponsored by the Mexican Cultural Institute and the Mexican Consulate’s Office, is a traditional Mexican holiday play that will kick off the reenactment of Mary & Joseph’s journey to find lodging for the night.  A posada following the theatrical performance will lead back to the Mercadito Plaza, to the Laredo Center for the Arts (LCFA), where performances by VMT students, including a sample of the Nutcracker ballet, will be offered inside their facility.  The LCFA will also feature an art display by students from the United Day School Art Department, as well as a silent auction ongoing throughout the night of over 50 beautifully decorated piñatas, created by students from their art camps, as well as students from the Bethany House.  

“The staff at the Laredo Center for the Arts always looks forward to the holiday festivities, especially when they involve so much of the community and in particular, the youth of Laredo.,” said Gabriel Castillo, board member for the Laredo Center for the Arts.   “The Christmas Posada gets bigger and better every year,” he concluded.

Thanks to sponsors Border Media, Casa Ortiz, IBC, Fernando Salinas Trust Foundation, Guerra Communication, Mexican Cultural Institute, Coca-Cola, Krispy Kreme, Mariachi Express, Mr. Corn, Starbucks, and Taco Tote, attendees at the NavidadFest will find a lovely array of artisans and holiday crafts, as well as delicious and traditional Mexican holiday foods, sold throughout downtown.  Except for the arts and crafts and food, everything at NavidadFest is free.

Speaking of free. . .

If anyone is wondering how they will be able to get downtown with so much activity happening, event organizers have solved the problem with an easy and FREE park and ride solution into downtown.  All attendees are encourage to park in the West Martin Field parking lot and hop onto the El Metro Bus or Trolley – for free – that will take everyone into downtown for the fun.  Additionally, anyone who takes Park & Ride will get a voucher for a FREE (there’s that word again!) coffee or hot chocolate.

According to one of the main event organizers, the festival is all about helping everyone get into the Christmas spirit by bringing the Christmas spirit into Laredo’s downtown.

“We just want to help make Christmas a little brighter for everyone,” said Hector Garcia, Director of Special Events for La Posada Hotel.

The event was organized by the City of Laredo, Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, Laredo Center for the Arts, La Posada Hotel, Main Streets Laredo, and the Mexican Consulate’s Office.