Staff Report
Gainesville Daily Register
Gainesville —
City of Gainesville representatives recently announced the lineup for local Christmas 2012 events, which begin Thursday, Dec. 6, and extend through the weekend.
Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce representative Mandy Davis said that in accordance with local holiday spirit, officials urge the public to keep their spending close to home this year.
“Shop local this holiday season,” Davis said Monday. “That’s a huge deal for us.”
Davis added that her organization is accepting applications and $20 fees for float entries in the upcoming “Silver and Gold” holiday parade through Friday.
The parade, set for 6 p.m. Dec. 6, on California Street in Gainesville, will include a holiday tree lighting and Gainesville Kiwanis Club food sales before and after the procession. Santa Claus will also be on the Cooke County Courthouse grounds from 7 to 8 p.m. that evening.
Festival of Trees
During the same evening, the culmination of the annual “Festival of Trees” will be on display inside the courthouse. The festival, sponsored by directors of Gainesville’s Main Street program, will allow representatives of local businesses and nonprofit agencies to deck the halls of Cooke County Courthouse.
For a $20 fee, a participant can decorate a tree — no taller than nine feet — with business or agency advertisements and then place the tree in the courthouse as part of a holiday gallery set to display Dec. 3-28. (Trees should be in the courthouse between Monday, Dec. 3, and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5.)
Aside from representing a business or nonprofit agency, the tree must also only include adornments that are family-friendly. After public voters choose the best tree, the winner will receive a $100 prize toward his or her business or agency.
Holiday on the Square
“Holiday on the Square” festivities are set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at downtown Gainesville retail shops. Amelia’s Attic, Ananas, B Hive, Bella Matiz, Cherished Memories, Cahoots Handbags, Gene’s Photos, Kinne’s Jewelers, Muse, Otts Furniture, Wiese’s and Sarah’s On The Square are among the businesses that will offer refreshments and store discounts.
Historic Home Tour
Tickets are still on sale for Gainesville’s 2012 Holiday Home Tour, set for 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The event, presented by the Historic South Gainesville organization, spans several blocks.
It features inside tours of six residences in downtown south Gainesville, luminaries, live music by Lisa Perry and refreshments at the Morton Museum of Cooke County, 210, S. Dixon St. in Gainesville.
As an added bonus, participating local retailers will provide a one-time shopping discount to tour ticket holders.
Home Tour event schedule and related events:
Home tours are from 4 to 8 p.m., with holiday carol singers located at several of the featured homes.
4:30 to 7:30 p.m. — Lisa Perry performs jazzy vocal classics paired with holiday favorites at the Morton Museum of Cooke County. Refreshments will be available.
6 to 9 p.m. — A live Nativity scene is presented at First Presbyterian Church, 401 S. Denton St. in Gainesville.
Featured homes (images and details available at www.historicsouthgainesvilletexas.com): Red Oak Manor; Miss Olivia's Bed and Breakfast; Bryan residence; Atomic Ranch; Wells residence; and Sanctuary.
For more information, visit the website www.gainesvillecofc.com.
