This year’s PalmFest International Folklife Celebration is shaping up to be one of the best in its 7 year history. Scheduled for October 6 & 7, 2012 at the beautiful McAllen Convention Center on Ware Road & Expressway 83, PalmFest will feature major attractions, historical displays, art, family games, rides & activities, Cooking Competition and demonstrations, live entertainment, diverse food & beverage. Over 40,000 people will enjoy the event inside the Convention Center and all around the grounds in the Oval Park & Reflecting Pond.
             The McAllen Heritage Center – museum of history and culture will once again feature the rich and colorful history of Deep South Texas with displays inside the Convention Center and Heritage Village in the Oval Park with an authentic cowboy campsite, the colorful American Indian Village complete with tipi’s and performances daily. Civil war re-enactors will be roaming the festival grounds daily and you may also encounter the famous revolutionary- Pancho Villa. At Heritage Village inside the Convention Center you can also see artisans at work; potters & leather works and the larger rail exhibit which is always a favorite.  Lonesome Dove stage in this area will  feature the fun loving and educational magician John OBryant and other local musicians and story-tellers!
             The Fajita Cookoff will be back with some of the fiercest cooking competition this side of the Rio Grande River. There will be 5 cooking categories all indigenous to the Valley, Frijoles, Pan de Campo, Mollejas, Traditional & Gourmet Fajitas. New this year, the Cookoff will be only one day, Saturday and will feature Cooking demonstrations from selected cooking teams and local Chefs on both days.
             Also back this year will be the HEB/ Teach the Children Fun Tent and the popular Kidsville where kids of all ages will have tons of fun.
             Three live entertainment stages will feature a variety of local performers and musical talent, exciting bands and dance groups including Indian, Folkloric, Middle Eastern, Belly dancing & more with two stages outdoors and one inside the Convention Center.  The exciting “Rancho El Caballo” horse show which enjoyed record breaking crowds at PalmFest 2011 is back again!
             Our “El Mercado” Arts & Crafts outdoor shopping at PalmFest is back this year with even more varied buying options. 
            PalmFest brings new activities each October and this year you will be able to rent a paddle boat in the Reflecting Pond to gain another perspective on all festival activities!  There are more activities still in the planning stages so check our website often or call our hotline.  The entertainment line up will be posted here prior to the event so you can plan your day at PalmFest.