Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Cities ready to deck the halls

Christmas activities will be getting in full swing after Thanksgiving with West Orange kicking the season off on Monday, December 2, plus Bridge City and Orange having parades on Saturday, December 7.

Bridge City will also be having Christmas in the Park and the community tree lighting the evening of Friday, December 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. Christmas in the Park is sponsored by the city of Bridge City at the park off West Roundbunch Road.

Openings are still available for food trucks and vendors. People interested in one of those may call Jeanie or Kim at 409-735-6801. Christmas in the Park has a community "Reverse Santa." Santa will be available for kids of all ages to take photos. In return, Santa is asking everyone getting a picture to donate a new, unwrapped toy to be donated to the Bridge City-Orangefield Ministerial Alliance for families facing a hard financial time during the holidays.

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the 15th Annual Christmas Lighted Parade on Saturday, December 7, beginning at 6 p.m. The parade will begin at the First Baptist Church on West Roundbunch Road, oFM 1442, and travel northward to the area of the Bridge City Intermediate School.

Entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the Bridge City-Orangefield Ministerial Alliance. The theme for the parade is "Christmas on the Bayou." Though entrants do not have to follow the them, the Mayor's Trophy and a $200 prize will be awarded to the entry judged to be best with the theme.

Entry forms and information are available through the Bridge City chamber at 150 West Roundbunch Road or by calling the chamber at 409-735-5671.

The Kiwanis Club of Orange is sponsoring the 75th annual Christmas Parade through downtown Orange on Saturday, December 7, beginning at 6 p.m.

The parade was started soon after World War II by the Orange Jaycees. The Kiwanis Club picked up the sponsorship after the Jaycees abandoned the event.

The theme this year is a patriotic "Red, White, and Blue." Entries may be made through the Kiwanis Club of Orange Facebook page or online.

The parade isn't the only yule activity by the Kiwanis that day. From 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., the civic club will hold its annual fund-raising "Breakfast with Santa" at Spanky's Restaurant on 16th Street in Orange.

The tickets are $12 and include a pancake breakfast plus a visit with Santa for photographs. Tickets are available at Spanky's or through Kiwanis members and the club's Facebook page.

The Stark Museum of Art is having a special "Reindeer Trail" exhibit tying in the artwork of reindeer and wildlife artwork in the museum's collection with a colorful and sparkling array of model reindeer decorated by area artists.

On Saturday, December 7, the museum will have an open house from 2 to 7 p.m., conveniently allowing parade-goers a chance to make a tour before gathering outside along Green Avenue to see the floats.

The Reindeer Trails exhibit will be opening November 20 through December 21.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens, another Stark Cultural Venue, will have its lighted Christmas walks Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning December 3 through December 21. The Record newspapers will have more on the lighted gardens in future editions.

West Orange starts the season off with its annual Christmas tree lighting celebration on Monday, December 2, at 6 p.m. Santa will visit with children and refreshments will be served. The event is held outside City Hall on Western Avenue.

 

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