The Sunset Live Outdoor Concert Series and PalmFest 2015 are partnering to bring a variety of entertainment this weekend at
the McAllen Convention Center Oval Park.
The 10th annual PalmFest International Folklife Celebration will feature historical displays, shopping, art, family games, rides
as well as kids activities, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, classic car show and diverse refreshments. The tradition
began in October 2004 after the McAllen Centennial Celebration commemorated the city’s founding in 1904. After the event’s
success with more than 7,000 attendees, the Centennial Committee–a group composed of members from the Oldtimer’s Club,
Future McAllen and Leadership McAllen–promoted the idea of a citywide festival promoting unique cultures and a vibrant
history.
PalmFest International Folklife Celebration made its debut in October 2006 at the McAllen Civic Center and transferred to the
McAllen Convention Center in 2007 to make room for the 40,000 attendees.
As for the Sunset Live Outdoor Concert Series, the event is held every second Saturday of the month promoting local artists
and musicians for exposure. Sunset Live is known to have from 1,500 to 4,000 attendees a month.
UTRGV rehabilitation services junior Andrea Treviño is looking forward to the event because there’s a strong sense of
community.
“I have been to both [events] and enjoyed both, but I love Sunset Live because it’s so laid back and pet friendly,” the junior
said. “I like to take my dogs everywhere with me. I really like the bubbles that they have while the local band plays and the kiddos
run around dancing. It’s a really refreshing thing to see … the whole community with their families, kids and furbabies, all
together.”
Scheduled from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, the event will include six live entertainment stages, four
of which will be indoors, that will feature local performers and dance groups of several genres such as Indian, folkloric and
Middle Eastern.
PalmFest will also have a variety of vendors to shop from, such as El Mercado Arts & Crafts and Hecho en Mexico, a shopping
area with more than 50 Mexican vendors selling their handcrafted work.
