Plans continue to move forward for the 2013 Spirit of Christmas Lighted Parade and the Christmas Under the Stars Festival, and the approaching cold weather shouldn’t slow down either event this year.
The annual parade organized by Southside Church and sponsored this year by Brownwood Regional Medical Center is all set to begin at 6:30 PM in downtown Brownwood Thursday night according to organizer Eric Evans.
“It’s going to be cold on Thursday but that in and of itself will not dampen a great parade,” Evans said. “Dress warm.”
He said that the parade will continue on schedule even if precipitation falls.
This year’s parade will kick off on Thursday, December 5th at 6:30 PM and will feature marching bands, dancing drill teams, lighted floats with great Christmas music, local dignitaries from all across Brown County and a visit by Santa himself. The parade route will begin at Carnegie & Adams and travel Center Avenue to North Broadway, down Fisk, to Baker and will end at the Brownwood Coliseum.
The parade will be televised by KTAB TV and broadcast live on KOXE.
Food vendors from local non-profit organizations have been added to this year’s festivities to help families get a great seat early to watch the parade and enjoy the evening as well as help these organizations raise funds for their cause. Food vendors will be located at Brownwood City Hall, Center Park and near the courthouse.
Street closures begin at 4:00 PM Thursday around the Coliseum and on Washington Street (behind the Train Museum) as line up begins. Adams Street along with all of the streets around the Depot area will close at 5:00 PM.
The 5th Annual Christmas Under the Stars Festival is all set to take place this Friday and Saturday from 4 PM – 8 PM each night and offer visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice skating, kids crafts and activities, food, karaoke, live entertainment and more. With the exception of the ice rink, all activities and booths will be indoors at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center, Adams Street Community Center, and the Lehnis Railroad Museum. Organizers state that the expected cold weather will have little effect on the festival activities.
“All of our activities with the exception of the ice skating rink are indoors,” said Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Marketing Manager Ray Tipton. “Expect some great fun at the festival again this year.”
CLICK HERE for a full schedule of Christmas Under the Stars Festival activities or visit BrownwoodChamber.org.