The holidays have officially arrived and will be celebrated this weekend in Whitesboro with back-to-back events.
On Friday, Dec. 5, from 5-8 p.m., Keep Whitesboro Beautiful (along with the City of Whitesboro, Holiday Chevrolet and local patrons) will present its annual downtown Christmas community event. This year’s theme is “Hot Cocoa Christmas” and the event will include a variety of festive activities.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with Christmas music being played downtown. At 5:30 p.m., attendees can enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides up and down Main Street. The lighting of the downtown Christmas tree will take place at 6 p.m., followed by a Christmas parade at 6:30.
Immediately after the parade, Santa Claus will take time to visit with area children and hear all about their holiday wishes. Be sure to bring your cameras for some precious photo opportunities.
Meanwhile, a live nativity scene will take place at the corner of Center and Main Streets.
Throughout the evening, downtown stores will be open late to welcome holiday shoppers and vendors will be giving out treats like hot chocolate, cookies and popcorn. Everyone in attendance gets a ticket for door prize give-aways.
At 7:30 p.m., a massive free gift drawing will take place inside Cook’s Main Stage (located behind Cook’s Main Street Mercantile). Guests can win items ranging from new toys and sports equipment to home décor.
The following morning, the Whitesboro Classroom Teachers’ Association (WCTA) will host their annual Santa’s Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. at Whitesboro Middle School. Staff will serve pancakes, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee and milk and Santa will be on-site to take pictures and visit with the kids.
Cost is $5 per person (kids 4 years old through fifth grade are $3 each; kids aged 3 and under are free). Children in fifth grade and younger will be given a ticket to be entered into a drawing to choose a prize from the stage.
This event kicks off the WCTA’s annual scholarship drive. Each year, the organization provides scholarships to several Whitesboro graduates. This event and donations from generous sponsors enable the WCTA to give back to the community each year.
Later in the day, from 2-5 p.m., the GFWC History Club of Whitesboro will host its annual Holiday Tour of Homes. This fundraiser is an opportunity for people to visit featured homes and businesses who have decorated beautifully for the holiday season.
This year’s tour will feature six locations: Flowers By Faith at 101 E. Main Street in downtown Whitesboro, a beautiful two-story home at 219 E. Main Street near downtown Whitesboro, a one-story ranch-style home at 300 E. Main Street, a ranch-style home at 435 E. Fox Creek Lane in Whitesboro, a one-story home at 701 North Avenue in Whitesboro (which will also serve as the host house on the tour) and a lovely two-story house surrounded by trees at 87 Castle Pines Circle in Gordonville.
Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased from any GFWC History Club member, at Lovejoys On Main or Flowers By Faith. Proceeds benefit local scholarships.
Not only does the Tour of Homes help raise money for a good cause, it helps people get in the holiday spirit and get ideas for their own holiday decor while seeing and learning about the variety of buildings in Whitesboro.
Holiday fun continues on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. with the WHS Student Council and FCCLA Christmas Family Movie Night at Bearcat Stadium. This year’s movie will be How the Grinch Stole Christmas (starring Jim Carrey). Attendees should bring a $20 donation or a new, unwrapped toy for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available at the concession stand.
Kick off the holiday season in Whitesboro this weekend.
