Restaurants along parade route prepare for economic boost

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — More than a quarter million people will fill the streets of Bicentennial Avenue on Saturday for the 11th annual McAllen Holiday Parade.

It is one of the largest nighttime parades in Texas and restaurants along the parade route are preparing for the influx of customers.

Black Diamond BBQ Owner Jerry Rodriguez says every year he sees more people attending the event.

“It’s one of the busiest days we have in the year," Rodriguez said.

He makes sure his restaurant extends its hours and offers special menu items for customers to enjoy.

“We see at least a 35% to 40% increase of people coming in," Rodriguez said. "We still have a lot of our customers that find parking and get their food and some of them even actually sit outside also and wait for the parade and save their spots.”

Rodriguez says his employees also benefit from extra hours and money.

Taco Rush is another restaurant on the parade’s route and co-owner Javier Leal says last year they were overwhelmed with business, but are better prepared this time.

“Last year, we got crowded with a lot of people and we couldn’t keep up giving good service to the customers, so now we are going to do it differently and be outside as well, so people will get it a little faster," Leal said.

Despite usually closing by 3 p.m., this year they will remain open until the parade ends. He says they are getting ready for a larger crowd.

“There are a lot of Winter Texans coming back and there is a lot of people coming from up North," Leal said.

Leal says he and others are ready for the big day and excited for what is to come.

“We are one hundred percent ready," Leal said.

These businesses say the city has already informed them how street closures will impact them. Some closures begin Friday morning and will be done in phases until Saturday afternoon.