The RGV Creator of the Year Top 25 Has Been Revealed

Social Fest announces the 25 creators representing the Rio Grande Valley in the inaugural class.

The Rio Grande Valley has always had a story to tell. For years, creators from McAllen to Brownsville, Edinburg to Harlingen, have been building audiences, documenting culture, and putting the 956 on the map; one post, one video, one episode at a time.

Today, Social Fest is proud to officially recognize 25 of them. After opening nominations on August 27th and receiving submissions from across Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy counties, our independent panel has reviewed the entries and selected the Top 25 nominees for the inaugural RGV Creator of the Year Award.

This is not just a list. It is a reflection of what the Rio Grande Valley creates when it is given a platform.

Meet the Top 25

@cayitalopez22@joshmoroles@jcfrias@rgvtaste_@el3milio1@rodrigogarzarealtor@danaly_garza@palmview956oficial@alexandra.g.mp3@kkatelynmtz@itsangelicagarciia@raulceron_1@monetzamora_@angel.invests@luisalejandrobeauty@stevenafranz@annette_freckles@thomasisarealcowboy@freddsters@cristalhdztapia@arnietex@theriograndepodcast@lifeinthe956@rosymcmichael@extractionking

What Happens Next

From this Top 25, Ten nominees will be notified about advancing to the next round. The final winner is decided by a 50/50 split between public votes and our independent judging panel, because this award belongs to the RGV, not just a room full of judges.

The winner will be announced live on stage at Social Fest on November 13, 2026 at the McAllen Convention Center.

Cast your vote now at socialfestcreatorawards.com/nominees

Why This Award Exists

The RGV Creator of the Year was created by Social Fest because no one else was going to do it. There is no shortage of national creator awards. There is no shortage of lists that celebrate influencers from LA, New York, or Austin.

But the 956? The creators who grew up here, stayed here, or chose here? They have been building something real without a trophy to show for it.

That changes this year.

Follow along at @socialfestexperience as we count down to November 13.

Social Fest is an RGV-born creator and social media conference held November 12 and 13, 2026 at the McAllen Convention Center. Tickets are available at socialfestexperience.com.