Maddie's 2026! It's up to You!
The Issue
As we still burn under the scorching summer heat, small hints of fall are beginning to show. The distant, ancient whistles from the faithful yet short-lived cicadas still echo in the far reaches of our memories. Memories that stir dormant emotions. The otherwise loud and lively grackles have settled into a calm rhythm and have lost their long, black iridescent tails. As we see hints of summer's end and beginings of fall on it's way, we can't help but feel excited.
Up next on the stage are the visits of families returning to participate in and enjoy the yearly fall tradition at Maddie's. Cool, crisp air, Pumpkin spice, and a Special mood all come together to make this time of year our favorite.
Last year, we reached out to our neighbors and were pleased to receive a positive response. We were able to make arrangements to address their concerns.
We are busy preparing for this season, as it requires a lot of planning and investment.
With all these changes in the air, we recently learned of some modifications to the city rules that came about when they updated their antiquated 50 year old operating and code manuals. As a result, we are on an uphill climb to get the necessary permit to open this year. The only way the commissioners and Mayor will hear our support for places like ours is if we they hear our voices. We need to "CALL THEM" and let them know that we want Maddie's to be included as part of their new long-term plan.
As city rules and regulations continue to evolve, we only ask to be allowed to operate while we adapt to these new requirements.
If our permit is denied, calling them after you can no longer visit Maddie's in McAllen would be too late. The time to act is now!
It's in their hands! Is there no room in McAllen for an "AGRITAINMENT" farm such as ours? And if not, why was this special zoning option adopted in December 2024? We are the first to have applied for this by the way, ever in McAllen.
After a successful 2025 season, where all CUP conditions were met, just like with every previous CUP permit, issues that were resolved when the panel approved our 2025 permit should not be re-introduced.
Recently adopted zoning change permits are being counted against us for not knowing they had recently become available, even though these new options weren’t mentioned to us until after we had applied for this year's CUP, which was only discovered and discussed after we asked if there was a better way of getting a permit to operate. They weren't mentioned last year either eventhough they had already adopted them in their books. The CUP Permit has been the only requirement for the past five years. City officials still lack familiarity with how the new zoning rules apply to us or how they should be implemented.
The fight continues. We are not finished!
As they continue to favor bars and vape shops through procedural means, they find every excuse in and out of the books to shut down a family-oriented, wholesome, Christian-based outdoor picture venue.
What message does this send to our community? What's happening to our country? Where is the "Human Factor "?
It seems the city has gone to great lengths to pressure us not to operate, yet complaints from citizens about BARS where intoxicated men wander out of these establishments and into neighboring underage girls' venues just feet away go unresolved, and those bars get approval regardless! Nobody has ever driven out of Maddie's and gone out and caused a Drunk driving accident! Never any traffic accidents, never any domestic disturbance calls, never any fighting in public calls, never any noise ordnance violations. Never violated any conditions of cup.
We will not give up! This will spark the beginning of justice against corruption and everything wrong with our government, starting at the local level. Citizens will become more aware and awakened to daily issues created by those appointed to serve.
QUALITY OF LIFE!
Retail stores, restaurants, bars etc. are necessary components for a vibrant community, but we have seen how Maddie's has become a highly desired staple in our area. It's become a family tradition!
For almost 10 years now, we've offered a wholesome, family operated and oriented, Christian based, open air environment that offers you a place to come out with the family and enjoy the farm, take pictures, enjoy some rides, interact with farm animals and enjoy some fresh air; all not far from where you live. Countless valley residents look forward to our annual tradition as well as patrons from around the state.
We would be remiss to neglect to mention all of our beautiful Mexican National visitors that truly make Maddie's an international blending spot. This is after all what makes our region unique and is nationally admired for. Our Mexican neighbors love Maddie's!
Since 2016, we have always diligently attained all necessary permits to operate. We started off under a Special Event Permit. We have since been operating under a "Conditional Use Permit" for 5 years now, going on 6, almost entirely without neighbor complaints. Every year it had been a delight to work with city officials. We believe that McAllen city officials appreciate and have indicated that they are aware of what Maddie’s has come to mean to the community. CUP permits are required by Bars, "VAPE SHOPS", daycares, etc., and we were told to apply as an "Event Center". We have always sought to work closely with the City Of McAllen to ensure we have the proper permits needed to open to the public, and I believe they have our and the community’s best interest at heart.
We are asking the community's support in keeping Maddie's Pumpkin Patch and other organizations like ours, a part of McAllen for generations to come.
The convention Center or along side a busy, highly trafficked city street, shouldn't be the only place in McAllen to experience this tradition! This is the right thing to do! In an approval climate where bars and vape shops are vehemently approved "everywhere", we believe we shouldn't be cast off to the side forever. It shouldn't all be about city tax revenue! Counting rooftops shouldn't be our governing body's primary focus and objective!
1. Sign this petition then "Share" with your social groups. There is no need to contribute monetary donations to sign and share.
2. Leave a positive comment on Facebook, Google, etc.
3. Let your local officials and respective commissioners "articulately" know why you want to keep Maddie's in McAllen, Via Email or a phone call!
4. "Show up in person", September 28, 5:00PM. If you wish to make a statement, call the city secretary's office at 956.681.1020 at least a day before the meeting to get on the list. All of McAllen's city commissioners will be voting at City Hall, 3rd floor, which is open to the public. Show up and let them know why you support places like Maddie's in our community!
We join with some of our city officials who have chosen to implement "quality of life" activities into McAllen's rapidly developing and evolving framework. The time to say "YAY" is now!
I welcome our Mayor, commissioners, city managers and officials to come out and see for yourselves what you'll be voting for, we'd be proud to show you our ranch. At stake is whether places like Maddie's will ever be allowed in McAllen.
370
The Issue
As we still burn under the scorching summer heat, small hints of fall are beginning to show. The distant, ancient whistles from the faithful yet short-lived cicadas still echo in the far reaches of our memories. Memories that stir dormant emotions. The otherwise loud and lively grackles have settled into a calm rhythm and have lost their long, black iridescent tails. As we see hints of summer's end and beginings of fall on it's way, we can't help but feel excited.
Up next on the stage are the visits of families returning to participate in and enjoy the yearly fall tradition at Maddie's. Cool, crisp air, Pumpkin spice, and a Special mood all come together to make this time of year our favorite.
Last year, we reached out to our neighbors and were pleased to receive a positive response. We were able to make arrangements to address their concerns.
We are busy preparing for this season, as it requires a lot of planning and investment.
With all these changes in the air, we recently learned of some modifications to the city rules that came about when they updated their antiquated 50 year old operating and code manuals. As a result, we are on an uphill climb to get the necessary permit to open this year. The only way the commissioners and Mayor will hear our support for places like ours is if we they hear our voices. We need to "CALL THEM" and let them know that we want Maddie's to be included as part of their new long-term plan.
As city rules and regulations continue to evolve, we only ask to be allowed to operate while we adapt to these new requirements.
If our permit is denied, calling them after you can no longer visit Maddie's in McAllen would be too late. The time to act is now!
It's in their hands! Is there no room in McAllen for an "AGRITAINMENT" farm such as ours? And if not, why was this special zoning option adopted in December 2024? We are the first to have applied for this by the way, ever in McAllen.
After a successful 2025 season, where all CUP conditions were met, just like with every previous CUP permit, issues that were resolved when the panel approved our 2025 permit should not be re-introduced.
Recently adopted zoning change permits are being counted against us for not knowing they had recently become available, even though these new options weren’t mentioned to us until after we had applied for this year's CUP, which was only discovered and discussed after we asked if there was a better way of getting a permit to operate. They weren't mentioned last year either eventhough they had already adopted them in their books. The CUP Permit has been the only requirement for the past five years. City officials still lack familiarity with how the new zoning rules apply to us or how they should be implemented.
The fight continues. We are not finished!
As they continue to favor bars and vape shops through procedural means, they find every excuse in and out of the books to shut down a family-oriented, wholesome, Christian-based outdoor picture venue.
What message does this send to our community? What's happening to our country? Where is the "Human Factor "?
It seems the city has gone to great lengths to pressure us not to operate, yet complaints from citizens about BARS where intoxicated men wander out of these establishments and into neighboring underage girls' venues just feet away go unresolved, and those bars get approval regardless! Nobody has ever driven out of Maddie's and gone out and caused a Drunk driving accident! Never any traffic accidents, never any domestic disturbance calls, never any fighting in public calls, never any noise ordnance violations. Never violated any conditions of cup.
We will not give up! This will spark the beginning of justice against corruption and everything wrong with our government, starting at the local level. Citizens will become more aware and awakened to daily issues created by those appointed to serve.
QUALITY OF LIFE!
Retail stores, restaurants, bars etc. are necessary components for a vibrant community, but we have seen how Maddie's has become a highly desired staple in our area. It's become a family tradition!
For almost 10 years now, we've offered a wholesome, family operated and oriented, Christian based, open air environment that offers you a place to come out with the family and enjoy the farm, take pictures, enjoy some rides, interact with farm animals and enjoy some fresh air; all not far from where you live. Countless valley residents look forward to our annual tradition as well as patrons from around the state.
We would be remiss to neglect to mention all of our beautiful Mexican National visitors that truly make Maddie's an international blending spot. This is after all what makes our region unique and is nationally admired for. Our Mexican neighbors love Maddie's!
Since 2016, we have always diligently attained all necessary permits to operate. We started off under a Special Event Permit. We have since been operating under a "Conditional Use Permit" for 5 years now, going on 6, almost entirely without neighbor complaints. Every year it had been a delight to work with city officials. We believe that McAllen city officials appreciate and have indicated that they are aware of what Maddie’s has come to mean to the community. CUP permits are required by Bars, "VAPE SHOPS", daycares, etc., and we were told to apply as an "Event Center". We have always sought to work closely with the City Of McAllen to ensure we have the proper permits needed to open to the public, and I believe they have our and the community’s best interest at heart.
We are asking the community's support in keeping Maddie's Pumpkin Patch and other organizations like ours, a part of McAllen for generations to come.
The convention Center or along side a busy, highly trafficked city street, shouldn't be the only place in McAllen to experience this tradition! This is the right thing to do! In an approval climate where bars and vape shops are vehemently approved "everywhere", we believe we shouldn't be cast off to the side forever. It shouldn't all be about city tax revenue! Counting rooftops shouldn't be our governing body's primary focus and objective!
1. Sign this petition then "Share" with your social groups. There is no need to contribute monetary donations to sign and share.
2. Leave a positive comment on Facebook, Google, etc.
3. Let your local officials and respective commissioners "articulately" know why you want to keep Maddie's in McAllen, Via Email or a phone call!
4. "Show up in person", September 28, 5:00PM. If you wish to make a statement, call the city secretary's office at 956.681.1020 at least a day before the meeting to get on the list. All of McAllen's city commissioners will be voting at City Hall, 3rd floor, which is open to the public. Show up and let them know why you support places like Maddie's in our community!
We join with some of our city officials who have chosen to implement "quality of life" activities into McAllen's rapidly developing and evolving framework. The time to say "YAY" is now!
I welcome our Mayor, commissioners, city managers and officials to come out and see for yourselves what you'll be voting for, we'd be proud to show you our ranch. At stake is whether places like Maddie's will ever be allowed in McAllen.
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Petition created on September 14, 2026