CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – NOV. 25, 2018 – A Corpus Christi holiday tradition dating back to the 1960s found new life this season with the premier of Downtown Corpus Christi’s Peppermint Lane Presented by CITGO on Saturday, Nov. 24. In partnership with the Downtown Management District, CITGO transformed Chaparral Street into Peppermint Lane, complete with holiday-themed lighting and décor, decorated storefronts and live entertainment. Reminiscent of the family street festival celebrated in the 1960s, today’s Peppermint Lane offers residents a new holiday experience that families can look forward to for years to come.

“CITGO recognizes the significance of family-friendly events, such as Peppermint Lane, to bring families and friends together to create new and lasting memories,” said Trina Martinez, Vice President & General Manager of the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery. “CITGO is proud to be a part of an event that can become a tradition for families; offering a new experience that promotes community pride, while also presenting something special for those who will visit Corpus Christi over the holidays.”

CITGO festivities began with a special breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Water Street Dining Room. The family-friendly celebration allowed more than 200 children from our fence line schools to enjoy waffles, pictures with Santa, mini-train rides and arts and crafts during the private holiday event with their families.

Downtown Corpus Christi’s Peppermint Lane Presented by CITGO officially kicked off at 6 p.m. Nov. 24, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. CITGO General Manager of Community Relations, CSR and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo helped with the ribbon cutting and also unveiled the CITGO Battle of the Bulbs trophy, which will be awarded to the best-decorated downtown business on Dec. 7, during the Artwalk Holiday Market on Peppermint Lane.

About CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery, which celebrated 80 years of operations in 2015, provides more than 1,000 jobs locally, while generating more than $345 million per year on average in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes. With a crude refining capacity of approximately 157,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) and a versatile product mix, which includes an average of 4.2 million gallons of gasoline, the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery is one of the most sophisticated and efficient fuel and petrochemical refineries in the nation. In addition to producing high-quality fuels for a network of more than 300 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations in the State of Texas and thousands more across the country, CITGO Corpus Christi refinery employees are dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities. CITGO Corpus Christi employees volunteer more than 2,500 hours on average annually to support causes and organizations including United Way, Charlie's Place, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Miracle League, Catholic Charities, the Special Olympics, Hans and Pat Suter Park and Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up, among many others. For more information, visit www.citgocorpuschristi.com.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and

packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.citgo.com.

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