Christmas in City Park
The inaugural Country Christmas in the Park at the Bandera River Park drew a large crowd of Bandera residents and visitors on Sunday afternoon, December 1.
The park was decorated with holiday figures and twinkling lights for the annual drive through display, and the Country Christmas program added to that tableau.
Several booths were set up for vendors to sell holiday wares or snacks.
The Dough Joe’s Food Truck served piping hot pizza and snacks, fresh hot popcorn was available from Melvina’s popcorn, as well as hot chocolate and lemonade from other vendors to drink. The smell of popcorn and pizza filled the park with scrumptious scents.
Former county commissioner Bobby Harris, aka Santa Claus, posed for pictures and gave out candy canes and small stuffed animals.
His holiday helper, City Council member Lynn Palmer, organized the long line of families who had come to get their annual picture with Santa.
Two bounce houses were a hit with the youngsters at the event.
The gingerbread house had double slides, and the giant snow globe encouraged everyone to throw snowballs. A small Frosty the Snowman figure spewed fake snow at passersby.
Long lines showed that these were especially popular with the kids.
Several groups performed for the crowd. Miss Kelly’s School of Dance twirled to Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You.
The Bandera High School Jazz Band under the direction of Head Band Director Joe Cortez played an assortment of old-time holiday jazz favorites.
Bandera County songstress Jennifer D’Spain followed up with some Christmas favorites.
The kids were entertained with a scavenger hunt for special Christmas ornaments on display throughout the park. School Board member Brittany Hicks got the kids excited about the hunt and handed out stuffed animals to the winners.
Bandera Mayor Elect Denise Griffin helped round up the youngsters and give directions. BISD School Board members Tiffany Jones and Heidi Battle also strolled through the park with their families.
Cheyenne Hauck provided face painting services to a long line of parents and kids. The traditional subjects were the kids’ favorites – candy canes! Wagon rides were provided by Wagon Rides of Bandera. The decorated wagon was extremely festive and the Haflinger horses pulling the wagon were beautiful. The wagon had cheerful strands of greenery draped on the sides to put their passengers in a festive spirit.
To end the evening the very tall Christmas Tree at the east end of the park was lit up with sparkling lights and a brilliant star on top.
The Country Christmas in the Park event was sponsored by the Bandera Economic Development Corporation.
Other sponsors were Bandera Electric Coop, BEC Fiber, Lynn and John Palmer, Custom Glass and Mirror, Buddy’s Water Well and Septic Service, Republic Services, Flying L Ranch Resort & Golf Course, Riding on Faith Rodeo, 11th Street Cowboy Bar, Winters Electric, JNB Dumpster Services, Trey D’Spain & Sons, Hyo Silver, Atmos Energy, ARC Rite Welding, Bandera Boyles, Josh Pick State Farm, McMullan Insurance, OST, Ardurra, Bandera Bank, Ella Contracting, Texas Partners Bank, and Hauer Brothers AC & Heating.
The Dough Joe’s food truck was a popular venue for piping hot pizza.
The blow up snowglobe was a fun time to throw snowballs.
