City of Laredo Ready to Light Christmas Spirit With NavidadFest
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 2, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
(Laredo, TX Dec 1, 2010) The City of Laredo is ready to light Laredo’s Christmas spirit with the Annual NavidadFest Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony this Friday, December 3, 2010. The parade kicks off at 6 PM from the Burlington Coat Factory parking lot and heads south on San Bernardo Avenue to the Laredo Civic Center, where Christmas performances, a Mexican pastorela, food booths, and of course, the Christmas Tree Lighting will take place. Entrance is free for the whole family.
The official City of Laredo tree, which will be lit at exactly 7:15 p.m., was generously donated by the Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club, as well as the lighting and decoration of the other trees located on the Civic Center property.
“Being a special part of NavidadFest is our way of giving back to the community in such a family-friendly way,” said Jim Moore, President of the Laredo Daybreak Rotary Club.
The fun will begin with a Christmas parade with all of Santa’s Little Helpers celebrating “The Sights and Sounds of Christmas,” the parade theme, heralding in the holiday. The parade will feature everyone showing off their Christmas spirit as all parade entries will be judged and winners will receive trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rdplace for each category: Dance Squad; Cheerleading; Live Bands; School Bands; or Float. The judging will be done by KGNS-Pro8News Morning Show Anchors
Mindy Casso and Victoria Marshall at the parade grandstand at Kawasaki of Laredo.
Once the parade reaches the Civic Center, Christmas music and holiday presentations will entertain the crowd until 7:15 p.m. when the tree is light. Also, winners of the “Luces En La Avenida” lighting contest, open to all merchants along San Bernardo Avenue. The judging, by KLDO-Univision will take place the night before, but the magic of the San Bernardo Avenue “luces” will light up Laredo the whole season long.
There will be delicious food booths and games throughout the night at NavidadFest and then at 8:30 p.m., thanks to the Consulate General of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute of Laredo, a special Mexican pastorela, or humorous Christmas play, will be presented. “Ya Nos Llevo La Diabla” is a play about a group of friends who hear about the birth of the baby Savior King and decide to go pay their respects. However, the devil comes along for the ride to trap them with the Seven Deadly Sins and hilarity ensues, especially as they all come back to the light and overcome their sins. After the play, children will also get a chance to break any one of two holiday piñatas filled with candy.” Finally, the festivities wind down at 11 PM.
“I’m really excited to have NavidadFest back at the Civic Center, where, besides ample parking and space, is a location where all Laredoans can come and easily enjoy the Christmas lights,” said District VIII Council Member Cindy Liendo Espinoza, a principal organizer of the event.