The Catrinas on the River Parade just got a wave of star power. Organizers for Day of the Dead San Antonio announced Eva Longoria will serve as the grand marshal when the parade floats off on November 1.
Though she was born in Corpus Christi, Longoria has deep ties to the Alamo City. The actress was married to San Antonio Spur Tony Parker from 2007-2010 and chose the city as headquarters for her nonprofit, Eva’s Heroes, which works to enrich the lives of those with special needs.
Longoria will lead the festivities along with Dick Tips and Kristin Tips, the official Catrine and Catrina of the parade. For the inaugural float, Dick Tips and Kristin Tips, CEO and president of Mission Park Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries, respectively, will don the elegant skeleton costumes in commemoration of Dia de los Muertos.
Along with Longoria and the Tipps, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio City Council members, local dignitaries, and other civic and business leaders will jump aboard the festive boats.
The Catrinas on the River Parade, San Antonio's first-ever Dia de los Muertos river parade, runs from 7-8:30 pm and begins at the Arneson River Theatre before drifting along the River Walk. Twenty-two river barges are scheduled to take part,"spotlighting local San Antonio organizations, special guests, and dignitaries," according to a release.
Among those will be 16 trajineras, flat-bottomed, colorful barges that originated in Xochimilco, a neighborhood in south Mexico City.
Seats, which range in price, are going fast for this family-friendly event. As of press time, however, there are still seats available in area 13, as well as pricier VIP packages. Those interested in attending can also sign up for an email alert if more tickets are made available or watch it during KSAT/ABC 12's live broadcast from the parade.
Eva Longoria is leading the first Dia de los Muertos river parade.
