The countdown begins: 2 Days until the fun starts!
Laredo, TX Monday, December 01, 2014
Where can you get a snow slide, ice skating, train rides, cookies & cocoa, watch the tree lighting with Santa Claus all for free? At the Navidadfest 2014! Interested attendees should mark their calendars for December 3, 2014 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
The early evening event features more child-oriented activities than even before and a stunning tree-lighting countdown complete with a color-wash display on the front of the Laredo Energy Arena that will dash away all the hum-bugs!
Schedule of activities open from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. include:
Snow-slide and play area– Located just outside the performance area in the parking lot; little adventurers should get ready for a slippery slide and a snowy play area where you can clobber someone with a snowball or just get a little thrill dashing down the short incline. This activity requires a short climb up a stairway.
Ice Skating– Located inside the Arena, lace up your skates and spend a little time getting your balance or practicing you triple Lutz to some holiday tunes! Offered on a first come first serve basis in the lower bowl, this activity will require good physical health and a written liability release form signed on-site by a participating adult individual or by the participants’ parent or legal guardian. Skate sizes and time is limited, please observe these rules as a courtesy to those waiting to enter into the activity. You are also welcome to bring your own skates!
Train Rides– Also located outside adjacent to the snow slide, this small locomotive is all kids need to be enthralled and to have a good time. The train travels at a slow speed and Mom and Dad can ride along with their little one, if they want to!
Cookies, Hot Cocoa, and Popcorn– being offered inside the Arena on the concourse of the building for free while supplies last, just follow the signs.
Live entertainment– Located on the main stage on the front esplanade of the Laredo Energy Arena, performances by local students from both the Laredo and United Independent School Districts will be performing all your holiday favorites throughout the night.
5:55 pm – 1st group on stage: Borchers Elem.
6:15pm – 2nd group on stage: Clark Elem.
6:30pm – 3rd group on stage: Sanchez-Ochoa Elem.
6:45 pm – 4th group on stage: Lamar MS
7:05pm – Santa Claus together with others will be at the switch
7:30pm – 5th group on stage: United South MS
7:45 pm – 6th group on stage: VMT Magnet School
8:00 pm – 7th group on stage: JB Alexander HS
8:15 pm – 8th group on stage: United HS
Santa’s Workshop– Staffed by St. Nick’s cheery elves, drop in to make your very own decorative ornament to trim your tree at home, for kids of all ages. Located off the concourse in meeting room 1 and 2.
Kids Finger Printing Stations– Brought to you by the Laredo Police Department and the Webb County Sheriff’s office, located just inside the main entrance of the Arena. Get a free finger print record for each of your children to take home; parents or guardians must fill out a short registration form for each participating child.
Pet Adoption Area- Make the family merry by adding a four-legged new member to the clan! Brought to you by the City of Laredo Health Department, check out some potential new pets located inside the LEA with access from the concourse near Gate B.
In addition to all these family oriented activities, one of the highlights of the event each year is the arrival of Santa Claus! The special North Pole visitor will help the MC, Council Member Vela and other special guests light up the night with a boisterous countdown and a magical illuminating moment where the more than 37,000 lights on the 52-foot tree come to life and a special projected color wash fills the front façade of the Arena. This event highlight is schedule to take place at7:00 p.m. After Santa lights the tree, he will take his place next to Mrs. Claus in a special photo setting inside the LEA in front of Gate A. Kids can tell Santa their wish list, take a photo and in a special little frame can take their memento home. Photos are free and will be offered from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Some fun facts about the tree include:
- The tree is decorated with traditional red and gold ornaments and stands at 52 feet in height with the base and topper.
- It is topped with a six foot tall “Starburst” white LED star.
- It is 24 feet wide at the base.
- It weighs over two tons: 4,620 pounds.
- Total garland length is 26,532 feet — over five miles.
- It uses energy saving warm white LED lights! LED lights last longer and are more energy efficient. They last for more than 50,000 hours and reduce energy consumption and cost by over 85%.
- The tree has 37,520 lights and because of the energy saving LED’s, it only uses 2,572 watts. This equates to only 26 light bulbs in your house or the use of two hair dryers at one time.
- The majority of tree components are made from over 50% post-consumer materials. The tree is 96% recyclable, making it a truly “green” tree.
Motorists in and around the area of the Laredo Energy Arena are asked to proceed through the area with caution. Observe all posted traffic signalization and barricades, as well as be attentive to officers staffing the major intersections to assist getting into and out of the event area. Attendees to the event are asked to enter the LEA parking lots from either Sinatra Parkway into lots D or A or from Arena Boulevard on the north side to lot B and A.
Information on Navidadfest 2014 may be obtained by calling the Laredo Energy Arena at 956.791.9192 or the Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau at 956.795.2200.