Road Closures Ahead of Pharr’s Avocado Festival Begin Thursday, 10/8 @ 1 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is providing the following road closure and access information ahead of the 2026 Avocado Festival, taking place Saturday, October 10, in Downtown Pharr.
Road closures will begin Thursday, October 8, and remain in effect through Sunday, October 11, as crews prepare for and clean up after the festival.
IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:
All vehicles parked within the closure area must be removed by 1:00 PM Thursday, including:
Cage Boulevard from State Avenue to Kelly Avenue
Business 83 from Aster Street to Birch Street
East Park Avenue from Cage Boulevard to Athol Street
Businesses within the closure area are encouraged to remain open. Pedestrian access to businesses will remain available.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Additional closures begin at 8:00 AM
The hard closure on Cage Boulevard will expand to include South Cage Boulevard from Clark Avenue to Kelly Avenue.
Additional closures will be in place at:
Bluebonnet Street & Business 83
Clark Avenue & Cage Boulevard
Athol Street & Park Avenue
Caffery Street & Athol Street
Caffery Street & Bluebonnet Street
Cherokee Avenue & Athol Street
South Aster Street & Cherokee Avenue
Park Avenue & Aster Street
South Bluebonnet Street & Park Avenue
Vehicles parked on East and West Park Avenue from Athol Street to Bluebonnet Street must be relocated by 8:00 AM Friday.
Parking lots on both sections of West Park Avenue will remain open Thursday and Friday morning to provide nearby businesses with access for customers and employees. These lots will close at 12:00 PM Friday for final festival setup.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
AVOCADO FESTIVAL
Hard and soft road closures will remain in effect throughout the festival.
Security checkpoints will be located throughout the festival grounds.
From 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM, festival staff will be cleaning and preparing the grounds. During this time, unauthorized individuals will not be permitted inside the festival area. Festival gates open to the public at 2:00 PM.
Free admission from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Beginning at 5:00 PM, admission is $5 for everyone over age 5
Residents within the festival grounds must show proof of residency at security checkpoints
Only authorized personnel will be permitted inside the secured area before gates open
Businesses within the festival grounds may remain open and are encouraged to do so
Businesses planning to remain open during the festival are encouraged to contact the City of Pharr Special Events Department at (956) 402-2400 to coordinate access and promotion.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11
All street closures are expected to be lifted by 10:00 PM Sunday.
Media friends: Media partners planning to attend the Avocado Festival are asked to RSVP with Michael Martinez at [email protected] or (956) 877-5716. Media passes must be picked up in advance on Thursday, October 8, or Friday, October 9, from 2:00–5:00 p.m.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
Pharr Invites the Community to Celebrate at the 4th Annual Avocado Festival, SAT 10/10 from 2 – 11 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr invites the community to celebrate all things avocado at the 4th Annual Avocado Festival, presented by Fiesta Nissan Edinburg and Bert Ogden McAllen.
The Avocado Festival will take place on Saturday, October 10, from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in Downtown Pharr. Admission is free before 5:00 p.m. and $5 after 5:00 p.m. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission all day.
As the signature celebration of Fresh on the Border Week, the Avocado Festival brings the community together for an afternoon and evening filled with live music, delicious food, local vendors, carnival rides, family-friendly activities, and, of course, plenty of avocados!
Festival-goers can enjoy live entertainment across two stages, featuring a diverse lineup of artists and performers throughout the day. The 956 Stage will feature performances by Mesteño, Arturo Quintero, Derick Garza, Ali Cat Crash, Vintage Travelers Band, and Domingo Elias 3Zero. The Main Stage will feature RED, a Taylor Swift tribute band, De Parranda, La Casetera, Braxton Keith, and headliners Los Palominos.
Whether you’re coming for the music, food, carnival rides, local vendors, or the avocado-themed fun, the Avocado Festival offers something for everyone while celebrating Pharr’s important connection to the fresh produce industry. That connection can be seen at the Pharr International Bridge, where fresh produce moves into the United States every day. In 2025, the bridge handled approximately 220,000 produce trucks, averaging about 600 trucks per day. Among those shipments were 34,000 truckloads of avocados, totaling approximately 1.5 billion pounds valued at $2.3 billion that moved through Pharr, further highlighting the city’s role as a critical gateway for fresh produce.
For more information about the 4th Annual Avocado Festival, including parking, road closures, contests, festival rules, and more, visit AvocadoFest.com.
The public and media are invited to attend.
Media partners planning to attend the Avocado Festival are asked to RSVP with Michael Martinez at [email protected] or (956) 877-5716. Media passes must be picked up in advance on Thursday, October 8, or Friday, October 9, from 2:00–5:00 p.m.
DETAILS
WHAT: 4th Annual Avocado Festival WHEN: Saturday, October 10, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. WHERE: Downtown Pharr | 118 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr to Host 2026-2027 Start of the Produce Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is gearing up to welcome the 2026–2027 Produce Season at the Pharr International Bridge, celebrating the people, partnerships, and trade that keep fresh produce moving across the border and onto tables across the country.
The City will host the 13th Annual Start of the Produce Season at 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the Pharr International Bridge, located at 9900 S. Cage Blvd.
The annual celebration brings together city and bridge officials, produce growers, importers, distributors, industry leaders, consumers, and community partners from both sides of the border to recognize the beginning of another major season for agriculture and international trade.
As one of the nation’s key land ports of entry for trade with Mexico, the Pharr International Bridge serves as a critical link in the North American supply chain. The bridge handles more than 65% of the nation’s fresh produce imports from Mexico and facilitates more than $50 billion in annual trade, reinforcing Pharr’s role as a major hub for commerce, logistics, and economic activity.
The produce season represents much more than the movement of goods. It highlights the farmers, businesses, transportation partners, customs professionals, and communities that work together to keep fresh food moving efficiently from the fields of Mexico to grocery stores and tables throughout the United States.
This year’s celebration will once again feature the 5th Annual Taste of Trade, where attendees can sample fresh and flavorful dishes prepared by local restaurants and businesses using produce that crosses through the Pharr International Bridge.
The City of Pharr invites members of the media to join us as we officially kick off the 2026–2027 Produce Season and celebrate the continued importance of the Pharr International Bridge to trade, agriculture, and communities on both sides of the border.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce to Hold Check Presentation
Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce & Fiesta Nissan Edinburg / Bert Ogden Nissan McAllen to Hold Check Presentation for the 2026 Avocado Festival on Thursday., 10/1 @ 10:30 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Fiesta Nissan Edinburg and Bert Ogden Nissan McAllen have joined as Presenting Sponsors for the highly anticipated 2026 Avocado Festival, contributing significant support for one of the region’s most celebrated community events.
A special check presentation ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Fiesta Nissan Edinburg, located at 5001 S. Interstate 69C, Edinburg, TX 78539. Media, community members, and partners are invited to join this celebratory moment as the festival’s presenting sponsors demonstrate their continued commitment to regional growth and community engagement.
“We are honored to welcome Fiesta Nissan Edinburg and Bert Ogden Nissan McAllen as our Presenting Sponsors for the 2026 Avocado Festival,” said Carlos Sanchez, President of the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce. “Their support helps us elevate this event, allowing us to celebrate the families, businesses, and traditions that make our Pharr community thrive.”
The 2026 Avocado Festival, set for Saturday, October 10, 2026, will once again transform Downtown Pharr into a vibrant celebration of food, music, art, and family fun. This year’s event is expected to draw thousands of visitors from across the Rio Grande Valley and beyond, spotlighting Pharr’s culture, hospitality, and community spirit.
The festival was created to celebrate the importance of the produce industry and highlight the Pharr International Bridge, recognized as the #1 produce bridge in the United States for more than a decade. In fact, 70% of the avocados consumed nationwide cross through Pharr, making it the gateway for one of America’s most beloved fruits.
Thanks to the support of community partners like Fiesta Nissan Edinburg and Bert Ogden Nissan McAllen, the festival continues to boost local commerce, tourism, and cultural engagement throughout the region.
For more information about the 2026 Avocado Festival, please contact the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce at (956) 420-4240 or visit www.avocadofest.com.
DETAILS
WHAT: Check Presentation for Avocado Festival Announcing Fiesta Nissan Edinburg & Bert Ogden Nissan McAllen as Presenting Sponsors
WHEN: Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 10:30 AM
WHERE: Fiesta Nissan Edinburg (5001 S. Interstate 69C, Edinburg, TX 78539)
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact: Kenia Gomez
Phone: (956) 769-1006
Email: [email protected]
City of Pharr to Break Ground on $3.12 Million Schoolyard Forestry Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr, in partnership with PSJA ISD and the Texas A&M Forest Service, will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Schoolyard Forestry Project, a $3.12 million initiative funded by the Texas A&M Forest Service to expand urban forestry and create greener, healthier school environments throughout the community.
The project will break ground at 9 AM this Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Dr. William Long Elementary, located at 3700 Raider Dr., Pharr, TX 78577.
Funding will bring new trees, landscaping, and irrigation infrastructure to eight PSJA ISD campuses, creating more sustainable and inviting outdoor spaces for students, staff, and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Schoolyard Forestry Project represents a collaborative effort between the City of Pharr, PSJA ISD, and Texas A&M Forest Service, with International Consulting Engineers supporting project design and engineering and Southern Landscapes leading landscape and irrigation installation.
The schools set to receive schoolyard forestry and green-space improvements include:
Audie Murphy Middle School
John Doedyns Elementary
Dr. William Long Elementary
Graciela Garcia Elementary
Liberty Middle School
Marcia R. Garza Elementary
Raul H. Yzaguirre Middle School
Vida N. Clover Elementary
The improvements will increase tree canopy and access to green space, providing greater shade, helping reduce heat exposure, encouraging outdoor physical activity, supporting mental well-being, and creating healthier spaces for children to learn, play, and connect with nature.
Media is invited to attend.
DETAILS
WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Schoolyard Forestry Project
WHEN: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 9 AM
WHERE: Dr. William Long Elementary (3700 Raider Dr., Pharr, TX 78577)
Pharr Police Department Receives Prestigious State Accreditation
Pharr Police Department Receives Prestigious State Accreditation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that the Pharr Police Department has officially received Accreditation Status through the Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, a prestigious distinction recognizing law enforcement agencies that demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and operational excellence.
The accreditation was formally presented to the Pharr Police Department by Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala on behalf of the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA) during the City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, September 8, at Pharr City Hall. The achievement reflects the department’s successful compliance with Texas’ Gold Standard in Law Enforcement Accreditation following a rigorous evaluation process.
This accreditation places the Pharr Police Department among an elite group of law enforcement agencies across Texas, with fewer than two percent of agencies statewide having earned this recognition. Additionally, Pharr PD is now only the fourth accredited agency in the Rio Grande Valley and the third in Hidalgo County to achieve this significant milestone.
The Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program evaluates agencies against comprehensive best practices covering policies, procedures, training, leadership, accountability, and professional standards. Achieving accreditation requires a significant commitment from every member of the organization and demonstrates a department’s dedication to continuous improvement and providing the highest level of public safety services.
“This accreditation reflects the culture of excellence we strive to uphold in the City of Pharr every day,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D. “Our residents deserve a police department they can trust, and this achievement demonstrates the professionalism, integrity, and commitment our officers and staff bring to serving our residents. We are incredibly proud of Chief Gonzalez and the entire department for earning this distinguished recognition.”
Police Chief Juan F. Gonzalez credited the accomplishment to the dedication of the entire department and its commitment to serving the community with excellence.
“Accreditation is not earned by the efforts of one person or one division; it is the result of the professionalism, dedication, and commitment demonstrated by each member of our agency every day,” said Chief Gonzalez. “Earning accreditation is a reflection of who we are as a department. It demonstrates our commitment to professionalism, transparency, continuous improvement, and excellence in law enforcement, and it reinforces the trust that our community places in us every day.”
“I would like to thank all the men and women of the Pharr Police Department for their service and hard work,” Gonzalez continued. “I am proud of our team, and this recognition represents countless hours of hard work, accountability, and a shared commitment to providing exceptional service to our community.”
The City of Pharr congratulates the Pharr Police Department on this significant achievement and extends its appreciation to the officers, staff, and leadership whose dedication and hard work made this accreditation possible. The department will continue striving for excellence through innovation, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to protecting and serving the Pharr community.
