Don't worry about braving those crowds to find the best attractions; we'll guide you through it. And guess what? There's even a little something at the third annual festival for you, too.
PalmFest
- Where: most events at McAllen Convention Center (the film festival will be at Cine El Rey theater in McAllen)
- When: Saturday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1p.m. to 8 p.m.
- F O R T H E M
Batman and Wonder Woman - Both Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. He's not exactly Christian Bale, but imagine for a moment if Mr. "Dark Knight" himself came to McAllen to perform a stage show; the excitement would spread like Joker's makeup on a hot day. The little ones will feel the same when this masked hero takes the stage. It was a popular attraction last year and PalmFest program organizer Christopher Julian said it will be double the fun since Batman is sharing the stage with Wonder Woman this year. "I actually watched this myself and it's got a moralistic story to it. It's not just characters on the stage," Julian said. After the show, Batman even sticks around to pose for pictures and talk with kids, a feat easier said than done because of his 90 lbs. rubber suit, Julian said. If you factor in the inevitable Texas heat, not only does Batman deserve your $5 admission, he deserves an award.
Care Bears - Throughout the convention Inside the Cyber Cafe at the convention center, four lovable bears who (admit it) still bring fluttery feelings to your now cold heart will be available for photos, hugging and cuddling. Uhmm ... hugging and cuddling is for children only.
Al Ragusin's dancing horses - Saturday 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The older crowd might enjoy this one, too, but it's more likely that any child who watches these dancing horses will be stunned into sweet, sweet silence. Organizers were so surprised with the response last year that instead of booking Al Ragusin for one show, they have him putting on two shows a day. Ragusin will also be putting on four, 30-minutes seminars on how to train horses.
Heritage Village This attraction is going to be like HGTV for kids, with nifty how-to's for all interests. This little village, which will be complete with fake street signs, will feature pottery making, piñata making, jewelry making, demonstrations on how to milk a cow and demonstrations that show how raw corn becomes a gordita. Nedra Kinerk, a member of Futuro McAllen who is helping organize the event for PalmFest, said she was intent on making the children's learning experiences interactive. "I used to teach and I always told my students that learning that never enters the muscles never truly enters the mind," the McAllen resident said. "I truly believe that if you never experience it yourself you will never get it." Also on hand: storytellers who will chronicle the history of the Valley, displays honoring McAllen Independent School District's centennial and the McAllen Fire Department's fire safety house.
- F O R Y O U
Film festival - Saturday 1 p.m. to Midnight, Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cold sweats, off-white pallor and shaky hands. Admit it, CineSol withdrawal is full blown. But PalmFest is doing their part to ease the pain by offering up a new platter of funky films to choose from, all of which will be screened at Cine El Rey in McAllen.
Fashion show - Saturday, 3 p.m. The Project Runway stage might be thousands of miles away from McAllen, but that doesn't mean local designers can't showcase their creations on a smaller scale. The Valleyites who will be having their fashions strutted down the runway at the McAllen Convention Center need not worry, no one will be "auffed" from this stage.
Chuckwagon Dinner Under the Stars - Saturday, 7p.m. It's a $20 dinner, but it's Ribeye, for a good cause and someone else is cooking (who can argue with that?). There will also be live music at the event, which will benefit the McAllen Heritage Center. For tickets, call 330-2071 or 630-4700.
Fajita Cook-off - Saturday (brisket, pork spare ribs and half chicken) and Sunday (fajitas) You don't care that the Fajita Cook-off has been around since 1976. Or that the first Cook-off was held to celebrate the U.S.A.'s 200th birthday and took place in the downtown square of Edinburg. Or that in 1991, then-newcomers to the music scene New Kids on the Block caused a stampede at the event that was so bad organizers chose not to hold a Cook-off for ten years. No, you don't care at all because you're not going to the Fajita Cook-off because of the history or interesting stories behind this Valley staple. Nope.You're going for the fajitas.
- F O R B O T H
Beach bash Sure, everyone would jump at the chance for a little beach fun, but when travel time, gas prices and beach supplies (especially if you're bringing any kiddos) are factored in, it turns into a more of a military maneuver and less of a vacation. So PalmFest is having a beach bash and you don't even have to cart a cooler.
Joe Aleman, president of the McAllen South Rotary Club, a PalmFest partner, said they're reaching out to all age groups by adding a texting contest sponsored by Cricket Communications, a rock wall, Dance Dance Revolution and tug-of-war competitions.
They will also have the children-friendly staples, like a 33-foot titanic slide, bumper boats, sandcastle building and two kiddie trains.
The sponsors are asking for pre-registration for the texting and tug-of-war competitions. Apply online atwww.rotary-events.org or call 1-866-937-3789.
For a full schedule of events, visit www.palmfest.org.
