FIRST in Texas Inspires Thousands at Fiesta de Palmas in McAllen

FIRST® in Texas proudly joined the 2025 Fiesta de Palmas celebration in McAllen, bringing robotics, creativity, and hands-on STEM experiences to more than 5,000 attendees throughout the event. This annual community festival is one of the Valley’s largest gatherings, making it the perfect stage to spark curiosity and showcase the power of STEM education in the region.

Our booth transformed into a buzzing robotics showcase, community members of all ages had the chance to get up close with real robots, operate game elements, and learn how these programs build critical skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and innovation. Many attendees had never heard of FIRST in Texas before the event. By the time they left, they were cheering for our students and snapping photos with robots. Every handshake, every demo, and every moment of shared curiosity helped shine a light on how transformative robotics programs can be for young people in the Valley.

The support from local teams made the experience even more memorable. Students proudly wore school colors, displayed their awards, and took the lead in showing guests what they have achieved through FIRST. Their passion made our area one of the most energetic corners of the entire festival.That excitement didn’t go unnoticed. Event organizers and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce were so impressed that they invited FIRST in Texas to join the upcoming McAllen Night Market Experience. More than three thousand attendees are expected at the event, and the city even waived our entrance fee to ensure we could showcase again, right at the heart of the action.

We are extremely grateful to Fiesta de Palmas organizers for hosting us and recognizing the value that robotics brings to the future workforce of South Texas. We are also thankful for the continued support from our statewide community, volunteers, and partners who make events like this possible. Every moment shared here helps change lives, build futures, and open doors for young innovators.

We can't wait to be back next year with even more ways to engage, inspire, and celebrate STEM together.