City of Pharr Named National Finalist for 2026 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr has been named a finalist for the 2026 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest presidential honor recognizing organizational performance excellence. As one of only 13 organizations nationwide selected as finalists this year, the City of Pharr is the only city in the United States to earn finalist status in the 2026 award cycle.
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is the nation’s highest recognition for organizational performance excellence, honoring organizations that serve as national role models. Presented on behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the award is overseen by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and administered by the Alliance for Performance Excellence.
The 2026 finalists represent some of the nation’s highest-performing organizations across the healthcare, nonprofit, service, small business, and community sectors. This selection places the City of Pharr among an elite group of organizations recognized for achieving exceptional performance.
“Being selected as a national finalist places the City of Pharr among the nation’s highest-performing organizations and is a tremendous honor for our entire community,” said Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of the City of Pharr. “As the only city in the nation selected to receive a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award site visit this year, this recognition reflects our commitment to Excellence Every Dayand is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of every City employee who strives to serve our residents with the highest quality care and service. We are incredibly proud of this milestone and remain committed to continuously improving the quality of life for everyone who calls Pharr home,” he added.
The Baldrige evaluation is one of the most rigorous organizational assessments in the country. Finalists are evaluated in key areas including leadership, strategy, customer focus, organizational intelligence, workforce, and operations. Organizations must demonstrate not only that effective systems are in place, but that those systems consistently produce measurable outcomes and sustained excellence.
Led by the Office of Strategic Excellence, the City’s Baldrige journey is a collaborative effort involving every department and employee. Together, City staff use data to measure performance, evaluate results, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure the highest level of service for Pharr residents. This recognition builds on the City’s previous national finalist designation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2024, marking another milestone in the City’s pursuit of performance excellence.
This is the result of years of intentional work to build a high-performing organization,” said Dr. Jonathan Flores, City Manager. “We don’t simply say we provide outstanding service; we prove it through performance data, measurable outcomes, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This national recognition belongs to every employee whose dedication to serving our community has helped make this achievement possible,” continued Dr. Flores.
As part of the finalist process, the City will welcome a team of national Baldrige examiners for an extensive on-site evaluation later this fall. During the visit, examiners will meet with employees, observe operations, and validate the City’s application through a comprehensive review. In addition to determining award recipients, the site visit provides valuable feedback that will help the City continue its journey toward organizational excellence.
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is widely regarded as the gold standard for performance excellence. Only one Texas city has previously earned this prestigious honor, and as a 2026 national finalist, the City of Pharr now looks ahead to the next phase of the evaluation process.
Los Palominos to Headline 4th Annual Avocado Festival in Downtown Pharr, Exciting Week of Events Announced at Fresh on the Border Press Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JULY 13, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr held its annual Fresh on the Border press conference announcing a week of events that will celebrate the city’s important role in international trade, and economic development. During the event, City officials also unveiled the highly anticipated entertainment lineup for the 4th Annual Avocado Festival.
Fresh on the Border Week kicks off Wednesday, October 7, 2026, with the inaugural Gateway Forum, bringing together industry leaders, regional partners, and key stakeholders to discuss the future of international trade, logistics, investment, and economic growth. The celebration continues Thursday, October 8, with the 13th Annual Start of the Produce Season, honoring the growers, shippers, importers, distributors, and transportation partners who move fresh produce from farm to table while highlighting Pharr’s role as one of the nation’s premier ports of entry for fresh fruits and vegetables. Activities continue Friday, October 9, with the Drive for Trade Golf Tournament, uniting industry professionals, business leaders, and community partners for a day of networking, collaboration, and friendly competition.
Fresh on the Border Week will conclude on Saturday, October 10, with the 4th Annual Avocado Festival, taking place from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Downtown Pharr. The festival celebrates the avocado while recognizing Pharr’s position as a global gateway for fresh produce. The family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, local vendors, delicious food, interactive activities, and attractions for all ages.
Festival attendees will enjoy performances across two stages. The 956 Stage will feature Mesteño, Arturo Quintero, Derick Garza, Ali Cat Crash, Vintage Travelers Band, and Domingo Elias 3Zero. The Main Stage will showcase RED, a Taylor Swift tribute band, De Parranda, La Casetera, Braxton Keith, and headliners Los Palominos, offering a diverse lineup of entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.
Fresh on the Border Week reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the produce industry while strengthening the partnerships that have established Pharr as a vital hub for international commerce and economic opportunity.
In 2025, the Pharr International Bridge crossed 220,000 produce trucks — that’s 600 trucks every single day, a pace no other port can match for produce. Among those shipments, our partners moved 34,000 truckloads of avocados, totaling 1.5 billion pounds worth $2.3 billion through Pharr last year, further cementing the city’s role as a critical gateway for fresh produce entering the United States.
The press conference can be viewed in its entirety here.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr to Host Independence Day Festival on Saturday, 7/4 from 7 – 11 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr invites residents and visitors to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at the City’s annual Independence Day Festival on Friday, July 4, 2026.
The festival will take place from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Allen & William Arnold City/School Park (615 W. Eldora Rd, Pharr, TX 78577). Join us for a night of family fun, including aDrone Show at 9:30 PM and a spectacular Fireworks Show at 10:30 PM.
This FREE, family-friendly celebration will feature live entertainment, carnival rides, food vendors, a petting zoo, and an evening of patriotic festivities for the entire community. The evening’s entertainment includes performances by Michael Flores & Southern Vibes, Midnight Run, and Trey Gonzalez. A clear bag policy will be enforced.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead as temporary road closures will be in effect to ensure the safety of festival attendees. Motorists traveling through the surrounding area should expect delays and plan alternate routes.
ROAD CLOSURES:
• W. Eldora Rd. between Sugar Rd. and Frontage Rd.
• Frontage Rd. (access into the area permitted; no exiting onto Frontage)
• Frontage Rd. exit closed 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of Pharr Independence Day Festival
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 2026, from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
WHERE: Allen & William Arnold City/School Park (615 W. Eldora Rd, Pharr, TX 78577)
City of Pharr Breaks Ground on New Multi-Use Facility to Enhance Public Services, Emergency Preparedness, and Community Programming
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
Pharr, Texas – City leaders, distinguished guests, and project partners gathered Wednesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the City of Pharr’s new Multi-Use Facility, a transformative project designed to support municipal operations, emergency preparedness, and community programming under one roof.
Located at the corner of U.S. Highway 281 and Ferguson Avenue, the facility represents a significant investment in the City’s future and will provide a flexible, modern space capable of evolving alongside the needs of the growing community.
The facility is 83,567-square-feet and is situated on 14.6 acres. Designed with adaptability in mind, the facility will feature large operable partitions, state-of-the-art audiovisual systems, mezzanine-level viewing areas, and broadcast-ready capabilities.
The facility’s primary functions will include:
Emergency operations support
Customer service functions for municipal services
Cultural and educational programming
Civic gatherings
In addition to serving residents during day-to-day operations, the facility will play a critical role in emergency coordination, preparedness efforts, and regional response initiatives when needed.
The project is expected to generate approximately 400 to 500 construction-related jobs throughout the duration of the build, while also creating indirect economic opportunities for local suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
Construction began in May 2026 and is anticipated to be completed during the first quarter of 2028.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
Pharr EMS Offering FREE Hands-Only CPR, Stop the Bleed Courses, & Blood Drive on Thu., 5/21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026
Pharr, Texas – Pharr EMS, in partnership with local healthcare and emergency response organizations, is offering FREE Hands-Only CPR & Stop the Bleed training courses for community members interested in learning essential lifesaving skills.
Participants will learn how to perform hands-only CPR, a simple but effective technique that can help save lives during cardiac emergencies, as well as Stop the Bleed techniques to control life-threatening bleeding before first responders arrive. Training includes instruction on chest compressions, wound packing, applying pressure, and tourniquet use. No prior experience is required.
A total of five FREE classes will be offered throughout the day, with space for up to 100 participants per class.
Class times include:
• 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
• 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
• 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
• 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
• 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
This course is open to the public at no cost. Registration can be done in advance HERE.
In addition to the training courses, a community blood donation drive will also take place from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the event location. Community members are encouraged to donate and help support local patients in need of lifesaving blood donations. FREE tote bags will be available to those who donate while supplies last.
Registration for the blood drive can be done HERE.
The public and media are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: FREE Hands-Only CPR & Stop the Bleed Training & Community Blood Donation Drive
WHEN: Thursday, May 21, 2026
WHERE: Pharr ONE (1121 E. Nolana Ave., Pharr, TX 78577)
PRESS RELEASE
Media Contact:
Michael L. Martinez
(956) 877-5716 [email protected]
Pharr Police Department Mental Health Unit to Host 4th Annual “Mind Matters” Health Fair on Friday, 5/15 @ 6 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, MAY 12, 2026
Pharr, Texas – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Pharr Police Department Mental Health Unit invites community members, families, local organizations, and media representatives to attend the 4th Annual Mind Matters Health Fair – Community Edition.
This FREE event takes place Friday, May 15, 2026, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Pharr ONE French Garden located at 1121 E. Nolana Loop.
The event is designed to promote mental health awareness, strengthen community connections, and provide families with access to valuable local resources and information booths. Attendees can enjoy raffles, popcorn, family-friendly activities, and community engagement opportunities.
The public and media are invited to attend.
EVENT DETAILS What: 4th Annual Mind Matters Health Fair – Community Edition When: Friday, May 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Where: Pharr ONE French Garden (1121 E. Nolana Loop, Pharr, TX 78577)
