Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr Welcomes Nearly 7,000 Visitors to Magical Winter Wonderland Christmas Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025
Pharr, Texas – Downtown Pharr transformed into a shimmering Winter Wonderland as nearly 7,000 residents and visitors gathered to celebrate one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions, the Lighting of the Christmas Tree and Downtown Park. Under a canopy of sparkling lights and festive decor, families enjoyed an evening filled with Christmas magic, unity, and community pride.
The highlight of the night took place when Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez led the Lighting of the Christmas Tree alongside several children who wrote heartfelt letters asking to help usher in the holiday season. Their excitement, joy, and Christmas spirit set the tone for an unforgettable evening in the heart of Pharr.
Throughout the event, families enjoyed a wide variety of seasonal activities, including Letters to Santa, Elf on the Shelf giveaways, snow, photo opportunities with Christmas backdrops, dance performances by local students, and over 40 food and non-food vendors offering treats, crafts, gifts, and holiday favorites. The Winter Wonderland festival also featured outstanding live performances by Trey Gonzalez and the EZ Band, filling the air with classic Christmas melodies and lively music. The night ended with a spectacular drone show.
Pharr’s Winter Wonderland continues to grow each year, becoming a cherished tradition that highlights the city’s commitment to creating meaningful, family-friendly events for all. With nearly 7,000 people in attendance, this year’s celebration stood as a testament to the joy, unity, and holiday spirit that define the Pharr community.
“Seeing thousands of families come together to celebrate the season reminds us why Pharr is such a special place,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “This event is about community, connection, and creating joyful memories that our children and families will carry with them for years to come,” continued Hernandez. “We are grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make this Winter Wonderland truly magical,” he added.
The City of Pharr would like to thank all families, partners, vendors, volunteers, and performers who helped make the evening a wonderful success for our community. On behalf of all of us at the City of Pharr, we wish everyone a joyful holiday season!
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
MEDIA EVENT – Pharr Connect to Launch Fiber Broadband for Multi-Family Communities on Tue., 12/2 @5:30 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is excited to announce a major milestone in its ongoing effort to expand high-quality broadband access to more residents. Pharr Connect, the city’s fiber-optic internet service, is now expanding its service into multi-family living areas, including apartment complexes, 55+ communities, Winter Texan mobile home parks, and other private multi-family developments throughout Pharr.
The kickoff celebration will take place on Tuesday, December 2, at 5:30 PM at WinterHaven MHP (1015 W. Sam Houston Blvd.) in Pharr.
Pharr Connect is the City of Pharr’s solution to closing the digital divide. The city offers reliable, fast fiber internet and next-generation WiFi technology, connecting all devices in homes and businesses. While previously available to residential and business customers, service had not been extended to private areas of multi-family properties until now.
Through this effort, thousands of residents living in multi-dwelling units will now have access to Pharr Connect, strengthening digital access, opportunity, and connectivity across the community. The City of Pharr is proud to bring this service to even more families.
The growth of Pharr Connect will bring affordable broadband to even more residents. In addition, families with a child enrolled at PSJA ISD receive the service at no cost.
This event is exclusively for media to attend; city officials will be available for on-site interview opportunities. To RSVP your outlet’s attendance, please email [email protected] by 5 pm on Monday, December 1, 2025.
DETAILS
WHAT: Pharr Connect to Launch Fiber Broadband for Multi-Family Communities
WHEN: Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 5:30 PM
WHERE: WinterHaven MHP (1015 W. Sam Houston Blvd), Pharr, TX
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr Office of City Communications Earns Eight State Awards at 2025 TATOA Annual Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that its Office of City Communications earned a total of eight awards and two honorable mentions at the 2025 Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (TATOA) annual conference, held in The Woodlands, Texas.
TATOA is a statewide organization that recognizes excellence in government communications, video production, and digital storytelling among municipalities and public agencies across Texas.
“I am incredibly proud and grateful to celebrate these recent awards with our media team,” Director of the Office of City Communications Yuri Gonzalez said. “They are extremely talented; every idea, edit, story and creative passion made this possible,” Gonzalez added.
The Office of City Communications is a twelve-member team of skilled video journalists, media specialists, and graphic designers. Serving as the central hub for all citywide communications, marketing, and video production, the department manages every aspect of communications entirely in-house. From covering community events to producing city meetings and launching public awareness campaigns, the department is dedicated to keeping residents informed, connected, and engaged with their local government.
“I am extremely proud of our Office of City Communications and the tremendous work they do to help tell our Pharr story,” Pharr City Manager Dr. Jonathan Flores said. “Under the direction of Yuri Gonzalez, our media team continues to set the industry standard for innovation in media relations. These awards are a true testament to their dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence,” Flores added.
Pharr received awards across multiple categories, showcasing outstanding creativity, production, and storytelling:
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: yuri.gonzalez@pharr-tx.gov
UPDATE – City of Pharr to Host Annual Salute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks Celebration on Sat., 11/8 @ 4:30 PM with Fireworks @ 8:30 PM
*Please note the time for the parade has been changed to 4:30 PM!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr invites the community and media to join us for our annual Salute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks Celebration on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd.). The celebration will honor the brave men and women who have served our nation with an evening full of pride, unity, and entertainment.
The parade will begin at 4:30 PM, showcasing patriotic floats, marching bands, city staff, and local community groups. Following the parade, the night will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at 8:30 PM, lighting up the Pharr sky in honor of our veterans.
Families, organizations, schools, and local groups are encouraged to participate in the parade and show their appreciation for our heroes. Those interested in joining may contact the Pharr Special Events Department at (956) 402-2400 or via email at events@pharr-tx.gov.
Members of the media are invited to attend and capture the sights and sounds of this community celebration.
All media and the public are invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: City of PharrSalute to Veterans Parade & Fireworks
WHEN:Saturday, November 8, 2025
Parade begins at 4:30 PM
Fireworks show at 8:30 PM
WHERE:Downtown Pharr (200 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
CONTACT: Pharr Special Events Department | (956) 402-2400 | events@pharr-tx.gov
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr’s 3rd Annual Avocado Festival Welcomes Over 18,000 Attendees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Avocado Festival, welcoming more than 18,000 attendees for a fun-filled day of live music, food, family activities, and community celebration. The event brought together residents and visitors to honor the city’s rich connection to the avocado and its role as a leading produce trade hub.
Pharr plays a key role in the nation’s produce trade. Approximately 70% of all avocados consumed in the United States pass through the Pharr International Bridge. In 2024, the bridge processed 1.3 billion pounds of avocados, highlighting Pharr’s position as a gateway for fresh produce from Mexico to markets across the country.
As part of the city’s “Fresh on the Border” initiative, the Avocado Festival also marks the start of the produce season each October, paying tribute to the growers, the bridge, and the fresh foods that connect our region to the rest of the nation.
This year’s festival was presented in partnership with the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor BMW of Pharr. The City of Pharr extends its sincere appreciation to all sponsors, performers, vendors, city staff, and community members whose hard work and support made the celebration possible.
Festivalgoers enjoyed a dynamic lineup of performers across two stages, featuring headliner Easton Corbin, who closed out the evening with an unforgettable performance. The Main Stage showcased La Sonora Dinamita de Ananidita, John King, RED – A Taylor Swift Tribute, and Beatriz Gonzalez, while the 956 Stage featured local talent including Mesteño, Domingo Elias 3Zero, and Alicat Crash.
The festival also featured over 100 food and market vendors, carnival rides, photo opportunities, lucha libre show, petting zoo, beer garden, arcade games, and a grand finale fireworks show!
The City of Pharr looks forward to welcoming everyone back next October for another celebration of community, culture, and the avocado.
Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr to Host 2025-2026 Start of the Produce Season on Thu., 10/9 @ 10 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce the official kickoff of the 2025-2026 Produce Season at the Pharr International Bridge. This 12th annual event highlights Pharr’s vital role as a gateway for fresh produce trade and underscores our continued commitment to connecting communities and economies across borders.
The celebration will take place at 10 AM on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd.).
City officials will be joined by produce growers, importers, distributors, consumers, and dignitaries from both sides of the border to mark the start of one of the busiest and most impactful times of the year for trade and agriculture.
As the third-ranked port in Texas for trade with Mexico and the seventh-largest and fastest-growing land port of entry nationwide, the Pharr International Bridge stands at the forefront of North American commerce. Handling more than 65% of the nation’s fresh produce imports from Mexico and driving over $47 billion in annual trade, the bridge is a cornerstone of economic growth at the local, state, and national levels.
From farm to table, the Pharr International Bridge plays a pivotal role in ensuring fresh produce reaches millions of consumers. The start of the produce season celebrates not only the strength of our trade partnerships but also the resilience and growth of our regional economy.
This year’s kickoff will also feature the 4th annual Taste of Trade, an opportunity for attendees to sample dishes from local restaurants and businesses that showcase the fresh produce imported through the Pharr International Bridge.
We invite all members of the media to join us for this long-standing tradition as we officially welcome the 2025-2026 Produce Season at the Pharr International Bridge.
DETAILS
WHAT: 2025-2026 Start of the Produce Season & 4th Annual Taste of Trade
WHEN: Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 10 AM – 12 PM
WHERE: Pharr International Bridge (9900 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577)
