Events Calendar
December 4 – The 26th Annual Mission Community Health & Wellness Fair continues today from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is free, open to the public. Free health screenings will include flu vaccines, complete blood count, total cholesterol, comprehensive metabolic panel, QuantaFlow and more. Sponsorships and exhibitors’ booths are now available for purchase by contacting C.J. Sanchez, GMCC vice president, at 956-585-2727 or at vicepresident@missionchamber.com. For more information about the event, go to www.missionchamber.com.
December 5 – The International Museum of Art & Science presents a community Holiday Market to kick off this year’s annual Christmas Tree Forest exhibit, with the theme “Celebrating Essential Responders.” The artisan market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. near the museum’s west entrance. In addition to the local artists, the McAllen Fire Department, McAllen Public Utility and the McAllen Creative Arts Incubator will have information, take-home holiday themed activities, and a selfie photo spot with a McAllen fire truck. Face coverings are required for visitors and staff and safe social distancing requested. The museum is located at 1900 W. Nolana in McAllen. Call 956-681-2800 for more information.
December 7 – The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Christmas holidays with their “Ugly Sweater Contest Mixer” at the Radisson Hotel in McAllen from 6 to 8 p.m. in an evening of food and dancing. Compete in the Ugly Sweater Contest to win a trip to Mexico City. Prizes will be awarded to the Ugliest Sweater worn by a male and female. A second place will also be awarded. Face masks are required and safe distancing will be practiced. Guests are also asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Sara’s Hope program for the children spending Christmas in local hospitals. For more information, call the RGVHCC office at 928-0060.
December 15 – Palm Valley Animal Society (PVAS) is hosting a fashionable fundraiser. Now through December 15, the public can enter to win in a drawing a “Pampered Pet Carrier” to tote their own small, furry companion. The pet carriers are handmade and feature stylized designs and embellishments. There are five carriers in total to be given away. Each ticket is $20, or buy five tickets at $100 and receive seven tickets. Tickets can be purchased online at pamperedpet.givesmart.com as well as at Carats Fine Jewelry in McAllen, 4300 N. 10th St., and both PVAS locations in Edinburg, 2501 W. Trenton Rd. or 2451 N. U.S. Expressway 281. The drawing will take place at 6 p.m. on December 15 via Facebook Live on Facebook portal. For more information, visit pvastx.org/raffle.
December 17 – This is the deadline date for the Texas Center for the Book’s annual Letters About Literature Texas contest. The contest is open to Texas students in grades 4 through 12. Students select a book, book series, essay, play poem, short story or speech that has made a lasting impact on their lives and write a personal letter to the author. All submissions for the 2020-21 contest must be submitted on the new online submission platform by at 5 p.m. (CST). A permission form is required for all students who will be younger than 13 on Nov. 4. To learn more, how to submit and to view winning entries from previous years, visit www.tsl.texas.gov/lettersaboutliterature.
December 18 – This is the deadline date to sign up for the upcoming Texas Master Naturalist class held on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and running Jan. 7 to March 25, 2021. Residents over the age of 18 and Winter Texans are invited to join. The cost is $150 and includes textbook, fees, T-shirt and one-year membership. Full scholarships are available and due by Dec. 18. To apply and pay options, visit www.rgvctmn.org or www.stbctmn.org at the New Class link.
2021
January 14 – The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (RGVHCC) events committee will host a Chalupa networking event with a dinner and 20 games of Chalupa. A limited number of tickets are availabe for the event to be held at the Double Tree hotel in McAllen. Tickets are $50. Every entry will get four cards with 80 chances to win a prize. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served promptly at 6 p.m. and the games beginning at 6:30 p.m. Any business donating a prize valued at $50 or more will be able to purchase one ticket at half price. Each prize is valued at $50 or more. For more information or tickets, call 956-928-0060.
January 15-17 – The 2021 McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Memorial Run will be held as a virtual race experience and supported by a series of virtual events. Runners will have the option to complete their race distance anywhere and anytime during those dates or with an option to defer to 2022. Runners currently registered for the 2021 McAllen Marathon Scott Crane Memorial Run will receive an email with additional details on how to make their selection. All virtual participants will receive a runner box that will include a runner shirt and bib along with sponsor gifts. Finisher medals will be available for pickup during a drive-thru finish line event held the week after the virtual event. Registration is available at www.mcallenmarathon.com.
