Christmas Parade lights up downtown Breckenridge; local holiday activities continue
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
Walker Street in downtown Breckenridge was a steady stream of colorful lights for about 30 minutes Saturday night, Dec. 9, as the annual Christmas Parade entertained the community.
Santa visits with a child after the Breckenridge Chistmas Parade on Dec. 9. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
Spectators lined both sides of the street while floats and other entries representing the parade’s theme of “A Candy Land Christmas.”
The event, which was hosted by the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce, also included a short concert by the Breckenridge High School marching band on the steps of the Stephens County Courthouse, which was lit up with red and green lights. Additionally, children had an opportunity to take pictures with Santa, who was at the community Christmas tree in Foundation Park at the corner of Breckenridge Avenue and Walker Street.
The floats were judged before the start of the parade on interpretation of the theme, creativity and originality. First place was awarded to the Stephens County 4-H organization; second place went to Walmart; and, third place went to the Breckenridge Elks Lodge.
Click here to see a photo gallery from the Breckenridge Christmas Parade.
More holiday activities are planned for the community over the next couple of weeks, leading up to Christmas Day. See the list of planned events below. If you or your organization have a community event planned, let us know and we’ll add it to the list. Send the details via email to news@breckenridgetexan.com.
The float by the Breckenridge Walmart store placed second in the Christmas Parade contest. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
The Breckenridge Elks Lodge’s float won third place in the Christmas Parade contest. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
OTHER UPCOMING HOLIDAY EVENTS
Thursday, Dec. 14
Band Concert
The Breckenridge Junior High School bands and the Breckenridge High School Jazz Band will have their Christmas concert on Thursday, Dec. 14, at Bailey Auditorium, starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Danny Wright Concert
The Friends of Historic Breckenridge will host pianist Danny Wright in concert at the National Theatre, located at 116 E. Walker St. in downtown Breckenridge on Saturday, Dec. 16. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. The concert is being presented by Blackhorse Mercantile & Cafe, which will also be serving wine and beer in the theater’s bar area (must be 21 to drink, valid ID required). General admission tickets cost $20 each online for adults (age 18 and older) and $10 each for students (age 17 and younger). Click here for more details.
Families had a chance to visit with Santa, as well as enjoy a pancake breakfast at East Elementary on Saturday morning, Dec. 9. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
Saturday, Dec. 16
Christmas Program
Eolian Community Church will host their annual Christmas program, Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m. The program, “The Symbols of Christmas,” will feature the Christian meanings of the many decorations and traditions of the season with special music and scripture readings. The community is invited to attend the service and stay for a potluck supper afterward. Food will be provided by the members of the ECC. The church is located at 7162 CR 292, southwest of Breckenridge, off of FM 576 West.
Thursday, Dec. 21
Visit with Santa
Before his big night, Santa will stop by Stephens Memorial Hospital from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21. Everyone is invited to come see Santa; he will be available in the foyer of the SMH Business Office, at 207 S. Geneva St., directly across from the hospital main entrance. Cookies and punch will be served, and the area will be decorated area for photos with Santa.
Dec. 22-Jan. 7
BISD Christmas Break
Breckenridge schools’ last day before the holidays will be Thursday, Dec. 21, and they will be on Christmas Break, officially, through Friday, Jan. 5. Classes will resume on Monday, Jan. 8.
Sunday, Dec. 24Christmas Eve PageantBreckenridge’s St. Andrews Church will host its annual Christmas Eve Pageant at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve, Sunday, Dec. 24. The program will feature the children and grandchildren of the parish and community. This year’s service will include the baptism of the newest member of the Pitzer family, William Bates Reckling, born to Adele and Stephen on Nov. 28, 2022. The event will be open to everyone.
Monday, Dec. 25
Christmas Day
Monday, Dec. 25, will be Christmas Day. Many businesses and government offices will be closed as the local community joins others around the world in celebrating the holiday.
East Elementary hosted Pancakes with Santa on Saturday morning, Dec. 9. United Supermarket provided and served the pancake breakfast, and the local Walmart helped sponsor the event. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: The first place float in the Breckenridge Christmas parade was the float by the Stephens County 4-H. Click here to see more photos from the parade in the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery. (Photo by Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan)
