The Christmas in Comfort Holiday Night Parade is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The beautiful lighted parade brings holiday magic to the historic Hill Country town and for hundreds of families it is a holiday tradition and great source of community pride.
The parade is the grand finale to Christmas in Comfort, one of the area's most popular holiday events offering shopping and family fun on November 29, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This Hill Country event annually attracts approximately 20,000 people to Comfort to kick-off the holiday season.
The parade is the personal project of Garry Schwab and his wife, Janis. Garry is retired from a career as a licensed plumber in Boerne, and Janis owns and manages the Kountry Kurl beauty salon in Comfort. In fact, the Kountry Kurl has had a float in the parade every year since the beginning.
The Schwabs run the parade with a crew of less than 10 volunteers and finance the entire event themselves. After 25 years, they have donated thousands of dollars and invaluable personal time and resources.
"We started the parade with between five and eight entries," said Garry. "The Chamber told us that they would give us two or three years to make it a success, and we did."
The Schwabs take pride in the parade being a community event. Throughout the year, they personally travel to parades through out Central Texas and the Hill Country, promoting their parade and inviting other towns to bring their floats to Comfort. This year, up to 150 floats from throughout the Texas Hill Country are expected to participate. "And we plan to have a few surprises, too," said Garry.
An important part of the parade is an essay contest for fifth grade students in Comfort Elementary School, started by the Schwabs many years ago. In class each year, the students write about "what Christmas in Comfort means to me." The student with the winning entry rides in the parade as honorary grand marshal. The Schwabs also provide very nice trophies for winning floats and host a dinner after the parade for parade volunteers.
The best seating for the popular parade is on blankets and chairs along the parade route. Bed and breakfasts in the Historic District book up early with some families making Christmas in Comfort and the parade a family tradition, coming almost every year.
Comfort residents host parties along the parade route, too. Barbara Zoeller, former Comfort post master, and her husband, C. Daniel, have hosted an open house during the event since the parade started 25 years ago. They spend time at Christmas in Comfort during the day and then come home to get ready for their guests. Chili and tamales are a tradition with apple cider if the weather is cool enough.
"The first year of the parade the rural mail carriers were on a float dressed as mail boxes,' said Mrs. Zoeller. "We have really enjoyed the parade and the party. Our house is on the parade route on High Street and it's a great gathering occasion for family and friends."
Each year the Schwabs save the best for last. They ride on the last float in the parade as Santa and Mrs. Claus, officially ushering in the holiday season in the Hill Country and bringing the joy and magic of the holiday season to hundreds of children and their families.
WHAT TO KNOW WHEN YOU GO:
Arrive early. Take time to enjoy Christmas in Comfort. It features more than 100 vendors, live entertainment, a food court, and lots of fun activities for kids, from a petting zoo and face painting to photos with Santa. Vendor booths and most Comfort merchants open at 10 a.m.
Attend the tree lighting ceremony. It is at 6 p.m. at High Street and Seventh Street in the Historic District.
Save your seats. The best parade seating is along the route which begins on Idlewilde Blvd. and travels down High Street through the Historic District. Bring blankets and folding chairs to save your place. The parade begins at 7 p.m.
The parade and admission to Christmas in Comfort are free. Because of the number of people attending, event organizers are asking the public to leave pets at home for their own comfort and safety.
Parking is on a first come, first served basis, throughout the town.
Need more information? Visit our Web site, www.comfortchamberofcommerce.com , visit us on Facebook or phone 830-995-3131.
