The Socorro City Council on Oct. 6 approved an event permit and waived the $125 permit fee for the Christmas 'Trails for Toys' parade scheduled for Dec. 13, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon.

City Planner Lorraine Quimito told council the parade will begin at the McDonald’s on Horizon Boulevard, travel down Horizon to North Loop and end at Peter Piper Pizza; an equestrian portion will continue to Worsham. The organizer, Margarita Perez of Trails for Toys, requested the waiver so more funds could be spent on toys. Staff reported the group had secured traffic control and constable services and that TxDOT coordination will be required for portions of the route on state roadways.

Council members cautioned that waiving permit fees can raise requests from other groups; the city attorney noted permit fees are intended to recover the city’s cost to provide services. Despite those cautions, council voted to approve the waiver; the vote passed with one recorded nay.

Clarifying detail: the waiver covers a $125 permit fee; event organizer and constable are responsible for traffic control; TxDOT concurrence requested for state roadway segments.