The IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars took place Thursday, February 16th. From pre-school to high school, Laredo’s talented youth partook in this magnificent parade under the stars. The parade boasted over 120 entries consisting of illuminated floats, glittering costumes, dance teams from local area schools and much more.
The winners are: Best Dance Squad, Colonel Santos Benavides Elementary School Danzerettes (Elementary) and George Washington Middle School Sparklers (Middle School); Best Cheerleading Unit, Leon Daiches Elementary School Cheerleaders (Elementary), M.B. Lamar Middle School Band Cheerleaders (Middle School), J.W. Nixon High School Golden Spurs & Wranglerettes (High School); Best Military Unit, United High School JROTC; Best Law Enforcement Unit, U.S. Border Patrol; Best School Band, United South Middle School Band (Middle School); Best School Float, Webb County Head Start Program (Early Childhood), United Day (Elementary), Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (Middle School) and J.W. Nixon High School C.T.E. Department (High School); WBCA Special Merit Award, International Bank of Commerce; Grand Marshal Award, Best Lil’ Schoolhouse N’ Texas; Best Commercial, The All American Dance Studio LLC; President’s Award, M.S. Ryan Elementary School Diamond Dance Team; Sweepstakes Award, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School.
New this year for the IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars was the People’s Choice Award. This was created as a bonus category where spectators and television viewers voted for their favorite entry via the WBCA text Club. The first time winner was Mary Help of Christians School.
“We had a high energy and fun filled parade with this year’s parade theme ‘Rockin’ in the USA!’” said WBCA president Jose A. Palacios, Jr. “What’s more American than Rock-n-Roll and George Washington? Still, music, in all its forms, is a universal language that everybody can enjoy; after all, we are the Celebration with Something for Everyone.”
The IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars which was led by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco, serves as a prelude to the Anheuser-Busch Washington’s Birthday Parade.
“We are so pleased to have been selected as the IBC Youth Parade Marshals for 2012,” said Sister Marie Gannon, speaking on behalf of the Salesian Sisters. “The Salesian Sisters have a 75 year history in Laredo educating and serving the youth. Being a part of this longstanding Laredo tradition, which celebrates our youth, is a wonderful honor for us.”
The Parade started on Garden Street and moved south on San Bernardo Avenue finishing at St. Peter’s Plaza.
“IBC is proud to support the WBCA and be part of their annual festivities by continuing to sponsor the IBC Youth Parade,” said IBC Bank CEO and Chairman Dennis E. Nixon. “The Youth Parade brings the entire community together to celebrate the talents and accomplishments of our young residents who will continue shaping our city.”
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association is now only a text away! Stay updated with all of our events and automatically enter to win a variety of great prizes, by joining the WBCA text club. WBCA followers are going to be the first to know of any last minute changes, ticket promotions and merchandise giveaways. Join the WBCA text club by texting the letters “WBCA” to the number 74455!
You can also stay updated by visiting our website at www.wbcalaredo.org and by following us on Facebook and Twitter. The Washington’s Birthday Celebration, founded in 1898, is the largest Celebration of its kind in the United States.
Throughout the years, the Celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more. Combined, WBCA events attract nearly 500,000 residents and visitors, and yearly contributes an estimated $14 million to the local economy. The Washington’s Birthday Celebration was recently ranked as one of the Top 100 Events in North America.
