This year marks the 27th anniversary of Lights Spectacular, Hill Country Style. Proclaimed as “the centerpiece of one of the biggest shows on the Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail” by Southern Living magazine, it features a courthouse that “shines brighter than the star of Bethlehem.”
The entire town is bathed in brightness with 100,000 lights twinkling on the Blanco County Courthouse. Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s headquarters on Avenue F boasts a lighted forest of more than 1 million lights.
On Friday, Nov. 25, people can celebrate the official lighting of the Blanco County Courthouse and the arrival of Santa Claus following a firework display at 6:30 p.m.
After the lighting, the Chuck Wagon Food Court will be open next to the Johnson City Bank. The Pearl Snaps will help dance the night away with a street dance on the courthouse square until 11 p.m.
Hayrides, sponsored by the Antique Tractor Club, will operate until about 10 p.m., weather permitting. Donations will be accepted. They will load across from the Pedernales building.
Market Days will be open Friday through Sunday on the Courthouse Square.
On Saturday, Nov. 26, folks can enjoy the annual Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade at 6:30 p.m. The Clickety Cloggers will perform in front of the Courthouse on the Square at 5:30 p.m.
The Chuck Wagon Food Court will be open along with the Garden Club Christmas Shop, which is located inside the Blanco County Courthouse.
Individuals looking for a new holiday ornament or special gift can visit the courthouse lobby during holiday weekends. The Johnson City Garden Club will be selling Christmas ornaments, crafts, post cards and cook books. The ornaments are handmade each Monday morning throughout the year by local nursing home residents and make excellent decorations for a modest cost. Proceeds support local nonprofit organizations.
Shopping will be available on opening weekend from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays thereafter from 6 to 9 p.m.
An Art walk will take place from 4 to 8 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3 and 9-10 the First United Methodist Church will present the Living Story of Christmas. It is a show for all ages and a great Christmas tradition.
There will be five free shows per night, starting at 6:30 p.m. and running every half hour. Each show lasts about 10 minutes. Bleacher seating is available, and children are welcome to pet the animals after each show.
In the Church Activity Center, there will be a large display of nativity scenes and free refreshments, including cookies, hot chocolate and coffee.
On Dec. 2, The Blanco County Community Choir will perform at 8 p.m. at the Community Church of the Hills. The group will also perform at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4at the First Baptist Church in Blanco.
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park invites everyone to experience tours from 6 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 26, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 at the boyhood home. National park rangers will provide an open house of the historic home, which will be all decked out for a Christmas celebration in the 1920s.
On these three Saturdays, the home will be lamp lit, giving visitors an opportunity to experience family life at the Johnsons’ house as it was more than 80 years ago.
National park rangers and volunteers will team to portray a 1920s Christmas, complete with Christmas caroling, a cedar tree in the parlor adorned with handmade ornaments and a toy display beneath. Authentic decorations and seasonal goodies will be placed throughout the home.
From 6 to 9 p.m. on Dec 3, “Christmas Through the Years in LBJ Country -- A National Park Service Centennial Celebration” will take place at Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. Besides lamplight tours, chuck wagon cowboy Christmas story-telling and poetry will be presented by a national park ranger in 1870s period clothing, Pioneer women will demonstrate hands-on Christmas craft activities in period clothing.
Hands-on Christmas ornament crafting will be presented by the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm from the LBJ State Park & Historical Site and Christmas-themed button making for children.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” will be shown along with other Christmas videos on the outdoor screen, weather permitting. Country singer Brian Black and his band will perform Christmas songs from 7 to 8:30 p.m
These park events are free of charge.
The turn for the LBJ Boyhood Home is three blocks (turn left onto Avenue G) west of the intersection of Highways 281 and 290 in Johnson City. Parking is available in the Visitor Center lot at Avenue G and Ladybird Lane. For detailed directions or additional information, call 830-868-7128, extension 244
Also, on Dec. 3, the annual Hill Country Toy Run takes off from the courthouse at 9 a.m.
On Dec. 18, Sing Christmas with Joni and Scott is scheduled at First Christian Church from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more details and to view the event calendar www.lbjcountry.com or call 830-868-7684.
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