Ringing in Yule season
Lampasans to kick off holiday tonight; full slate of weekend activities on tap

The traditional ushering in of the Lampasas holiday season begins tonight with the annual Carol of Lights festival, which will feature Santa Claus, dancing, music and carolers at Courtyard Square and other venues in the downtown area.

Originally started as a Main Street activity, the Carol of Lights is sponsored by the Courtyard Square Association, a group of business and property owners who promote the historic downtown business district.

Andy Berry, a longtime business owner on Third Street and a member of CSA, said the event is "a tradition where families and friends come downtown to enjoy an oldfashioned community Christmas atmosphere."

Carols on the bandstand by the Lampasas High School jazz band will open this evening's activities at 6 p.m.

The Lampasas High School Flames Drill Team will perform at 6:30 p.m.

A ceremony of lights is set for 6:50 p.m., where Mayor Judy Hetherly officially will usher in the local Yule season when she turns on the colored lights adorning Courtyard Square.

A special night of holiday musical performances and a visit by Santa Claus will highlight the evening from 6-9 p.m.

Food booths will be provided by local non-profit organizations. And throughout the evening, shoppers are invited to join Courtyard Square merchants for sales and special events.

Santa Claus' arrival is planned for 7 p.m. He will visit at the Lampasas County Courthouse with youngsters who wish to share their Christmas requests.

At 7:15 p.m., Hanna Springs music students will perform, followed by Lampasas Middle School performing arts students.

A Christmas tree raffle will be at the bandstand at 8:15 p.m. The tree, on display at Rutland's, is being raffled to benefit the Vision Downtown Lampasas! project. Several downtown merchants will offer tickets for sale.

Cow Country Cloggers will be showcased at 8:30 p.m.

Keystone Square Museum's Christmas tree exhibit, "Nutcrackers on Parade," will open at the museum.

A bake sale also will be featured at the museum, along with entries from the annual gingerbread house display and contest.

A People's Choice tree will be selected by visitors, and trees will remain on exhibit until Dec. 19.

Winners will be named in the gingerbread contest, with judging in categories for ages 4 to 7, 8-12, 13- 18 years, adult/family, and best of theme.

A special guest appearance by several members of the cast of the "Ghosts of Lampasas County" production will emcee the evening's events from the bandstand.

On Saturday, community Christmas events will mirror some of Friday's offerings, including the museum's Christmas tree and gingerbread house displays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The annual Christmas Tour of Homes Sunday from 1-5 p.m. will offer the opportunity to visit five local residences. The homes of Cassie and Steve Langdon, Cathy Walker, Judy Hetherly, Ken and Amy McDaniel, and O'Dean and Crystal Hammett will be featured.

Admission is $6 if tickets are purchased in advance at the museum, 303 S. Western St. They will be available at the museum Friday during Carol of Lights events. On the day of the tour, tickets will be $7.

Visitors also are encouraged to stop by W.M. Brook Park to view the annual Sulphur Creek light display.

This year, Santa's Village will be offered, featuring cutouts and light displays throughout the park.

Other events this weekend include a visit from Santa and his elves at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Ruth Eakin Outdoor Theater at W.M. Brook Park and Children in Action and Organized Chaos Christmas caroling at 6 p.m.

At 6:45 p.m., Hanna Springs choir will offer Christmas carols, and the Cow Country Cloggers will present "Jingles of Christmas" at 7:15 p.m.

The sixth-grade choir will offer a "Penguin's Christmas" program at 7:45 p.m., followed by the Lampasas Middle School choir's presentation of "Forever Christmas" at 8:15 p.m.

The annual Community Christmas Cantata, "Season of Wonder," is set at First United Methodist Church Sunday at 5 p.m. Lampasas Association For The Arts is sponsoring the event, which features the cantata choir, a group of singers from churches in Lampasas, Kempner, Copperas Cove and other areas.

The cantata consists of familiar carols and narration. The audience is invited to join in singing Christmas carols.

The Joy Ringers, the church's adult handbell choir, will present special selections, and a reception, "A Taste of Christmas," will follow the cantata in the church's Wesley Fellowship Hall. A nursery will be provided.

And on Dec. 13, First Baptist Church's Adult Choir will perform Christmas carols at 6 p.m., at the Ruth Eakin Outdoor Theatre, followed by the Lampasas Community Choir at 6:30 p.m., presenting "Seasons of Wonder."

At 7 p.m., St. Mary's Catholic Church's Folk Choir will offer Christmas music.

Admission is free, but toys will be accepted, with donations going to the Lampasas Fire Department's Christmas for the needy program. Concessions will be sold.