Breckenridge Texan

Breckenridge is decorated for the holidays with downtown buildings featuring Christmas lights and the new community Christmas tree set up in Foundation Park at Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue.

Les and Sherry Strickland post for a picture with their great-nieces in front of the new community Christmas tree in Foundation Park. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce and the City of Breckenridge held a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 17 during the Chamber’s Mingle & Jingle shopping event. Scroll down to see more photos from the tree lighting and Mingle & Jingle.

The Breckenridge High School Jazz Band provided Christmas music, and at 6:30 p.m., the crowd gathered in the park joined Chamber Executive Director Yuri Huntington in a count-down. When they reached “1” Stacy Harrison, the Public Services director for the City, turned on the lights on the tree.

The new tree was purchased recently to replace the previous tree that was more than 20 years old and was no longer usable. JB Sparks, chairman of the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council, worked with the Breckenridge Economic Development Council, the City of Breckenridge and Stephens County to help pay for the tree. Each entity paid $10,000, and First National Bank donated the remaining funds (a little over $2,000) for the tree. Local business owner Greg Akers drove to Sherman to pick up the tree.

The City’s parks department staff installed the tree in the park. The new tree is more than twice as big as the previous tree, Harrison said.

Lighted Christmas Parade

The community’s holiday activities will continue with the annual lighted Christmas parade through downtown Breckenridge on Saturday, Dec. 10, beginning at 6 p.m.

This year’s parade theme is “All Things Santa.” Click here for the registration form. For more information about the parade or to register to have a float in the parade, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 254-559-2301 or at 100 E. Elm St.

Other upcoming holiday events

Through Wednesday, Nov. 30
Christmas Tree Fundraiser
The Stephens Memorial Hospital Gift Shop is having a silent auction fundraiser featuring 12 tabletop Christmas trees decorated by various hospital departments; the trees can be seen on the gift shop’s Facebook page. Anyone who would like to buy one of the trees may place a bid on the Facebook page or in person at the business office, 207 S. Geneva St., across from the hospital’s main entrance, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Stephens Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, which uses the money to help the hospital with a variety of projects.

Saturday, Dec. 3
Pet Pictures with Santa
From 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, the Stephens County Humane Society will offer Pet Pictures with Santa at the Breckenridge Tractor Supply, 3732 W. Walker St. The cost will be $7 for a 4-by-6-inch print with extra prints available for an additional fee. All proceeds will benefit the Stephens County Humane Society.

Saturday, Dec. 3
Eolian Community Church annual Christmas Program
The Eolian Community Church will host its annual Christmas Program for the community at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at the church, located at 7162 CR 292, south of Breckenridge.The annual event, which is open to the public, tells the Christmas story through scripture and songs from the congregation and community members. Everyone is welcomed to stay for a reception following the program in the fellowship hall.

Thursday, Dec. 8
Christmas Band Concert
The Breckenridge High School Jazz Band and Junior High Band will present a Christmas concert beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in the BHS Athletic Facility (big gym).

Monday. Dec. 19
Second-graders Caroling
On Monday, Dec. 19, the second-grade students from East Elementary will sing Christmas carols at the Stephens County Courthouse.

Dec. 22-Jan. 6
BISD Christmas Break
Breckenridge schools will get out early on Dec. 21 and then will be on Christmas Break, officially, through Friday, Jan. 6. The BISD staff will return on Jan. 9 for a workshop day, and students will return to classes on Jan. 10, 2023.

Photos from Mingle & Jingle and Christmas Tree Lighting

Cutline, top photo: A crowd gathered in Foundation Park earlier this month for the annual lighting of the community Christmas tree while the BHS Jazz Band played holiday music. This year, a new tree was installed at the park at the corner of Walker Street and Breckenridge Avenue. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

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