Athens Christmas Parade slated for December 7

Plans are in full swing for the annual lighted Christmas Parade, Christmas Around the Square, sponsored by the City of Athens.

The annual lighted Christmas Parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Athens on Saturday, December 7.

Parade winners will be announced downtown at the judges’ staging area 30 minutes after the parade.  Prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners, sponsored by Republic Services and Kevin Lilly’s McDonald’s. The first place winner will receive $500, second place $300 and third place $200.

The fun doesn't end yet; stick around for the After Parade Party, sponsored by local churches, which will be bigger and better this year.  The After Parade Party will feature 17 inflatables including slides and bounce houses, booths and music in downtown Athens.

Come early for Holiday on the Square, sponsored by the Light Up Athens committee, that will take place downtown on the Courthouse Square from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will feature a Holiday Market, arts and crafts for children, visits with Santa, and the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Keep Athens Beautiful will have a food booth with pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs and Frito pie, while supplies last.

Other holiday events that will take place in Athens the day of the Christmas Parade include the Cain Center’s Breakfast with Santa at 8 a.m. and there will be a special showing of the “Polar Express” at 3 p.m. at the Henderson County Library.

Bring the entire family and join us downtown for Christmas Around the Square.

For more information, please visit our website at www.AthensTX.org.

Newly constructed Veterans Memorial Wall to be dedicated November 11

The East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society is home to the newly constructed Henderson County Veterans Memorial Wall and Plaza, that will be dedicated at 11:30 a.m. on Veterans Day.

The memorial wall honors more than 9,000 military veterans from Henderson County beginning from the Civil War to present.

The two red brick curved walls, located within an open plaza with a bronze eagle sculpture overlooking the plaza, are embedded with names of veterans engraved on granite panels.

Visitors to Athens can see the new memorial wall daily from dawn to dusk at the East Texas Arboretum, located at 1601 Patterson Road.

Christmas Park Land of Lights opens for holiday season November 10

Christmas Park Land of Lights will be opening for the holiday season on Sunday, November 10 and will remain open through January 2.

Christmas Park Land of Lights first opened in 1998 and has grown each year with visitors from all 50 states and many international visitors. Lights have been purchased from all over the United States and from other countries. All the wood cut outs and the majority of metal art were designed and constructed on the park grounds.

The drive through Christmas Park is more than a mile long with over four million lights, 2,000 wood cut outs, more than 60 scenes, 50 motion controlled lighted scenes, six tunnels, eight arches and a concession stand. Don't miss Santa Claus starting Thanksgiving night.

Due to the heavy bumper to bumper traffic on weekends, it is recommended that tour buses give prior notification in advance of arrival and it is recommended that buses visit during the week, if possible. Please note that trailers are not allowed due to steep grades.

For more information, including admission, please visit www.AthensTX.org.