HILL COUNTRY SKIES ARE GETTING READY TO LIGHT UP WITH MILLIONS OF LIGHTS
"Come Home to the Hill Country for Christmas"...
FOR IMMEDIATE Release " April 2004

The lights at night are bigger and brighter during the holiday season as the famous Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail lights the skies. Twelve communities are part of the Texas Hill Country Christmas Lighting Trail - the areas most celebrated family holiday tradition - between Thanksgiving and New Years.

Make plans now for family fun and fantastic viewing in Boerne, Burnet, Bulverde, Dripping Springs, Fredericksburg, Goldthwaite, Johnson City, Llano, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Round Mountain, and Wimberley. All are within easy driving distance of central Texas and promise holiday excitement and enticement for every member of the family.

Boerne begins Thanksgiving weekend with Dickens on Main. The Back Door Theater Troupe will act out scenes from Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol at various locations around town. Shopkeepers in costume and horse-drawn carriages add to the walk back in time event. Visitors are invited to join in the spirit by dressing in period costume and partaking of wassail, delectables and shopping. Omas Christmas Fair, the first weekend of December at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, offers one-of-a-kind crafts, wonderful food and great bargains. The Weihnachts Fest Parade, the first Saturday of December, features over 80 entries, musical entertainment, and Santas big appearance. Visitors can enjoy shopping, spectacular lights, and the historic charm of this unique community.

After Santa arrives in Bulverde, the town celebrates the season with a Christmas Open House, Living Christmas drive-thru and a holiday wine dinner at the Vintage Wine & Coffee Bar.

In Burnet, visitors are invited to catch the spirit of Christmases past at historic Fort Croghan, as well as visiting the ever-popular Main Street Bethlehem, held the first two weekends in December. Hamilton Creek Park will be decorated with lights, luminarias and greenery, shops will be open late, and starting Thanksgiving weekend, the Hill Country Flyer steam train will begin its Christmas run.

Dripping Springs, the gateway to the Hill Country, hosts several Christmas bazaars for shopping. Santa will come to town for photos at the Homestead Office Park and the Friends of the Dripping Springs Community Library will hold a Christmas Home Tour. Snow will be a part of the activities as well.

Fredericksburg turns up its charm during the holidays. The town shows off famous German hospitality and flavor, with more lights being planned for Market Square along with outlining each building on the wide Main Street. Special holiday activities include Weihnachten - a Christmas Festival and tree forest, surrounded by food, crafts, and music. Some other community activities include craft shows, Christmas Parade, Christmas Journey Drive-thru, Kinderfest, Candlelight Tour of Homes, and Holiday Wine Trail.

Goldthwaite changes from a quiet town into a fantasy village over the holidays. Seasonal events include lighting displays, an Arts & Crafts Festival, Parade of Lights, Quilt Show, Mills County Historical Museum Chili Supper and the Garden Club Tour of Homes. The Christmas Store by Kreations will be open, as well.

Johnson City celebrates the 14th year of its famous Lights Spectacular. The courthouse on the square shines with 100,000 lights. Local homes, businesses, and churches add another 750,000 lights to create stunning displays, plus Chuckwagon Food Court, cloggers, Living Story of Christmas. The Lighted Hooves and Wheels Parade is a Texas twist on the classic Christmas parade. Around the corner, at the boyhood home of President Lyndon Johnson, guests can enjoy a Lamplight Tour of the LBJ Boyhood Home and the 1860 Christmas at the Cabin.

Legendary Llano puts out miles of lights to celebrate its lure and lore. Lighting of the Courthouse and Pathway Arches at Llano River Park, Santas Big Night and Christmas Night Parade highlight this unique and charming Hill Country community.

Marble Falls transforms itself into a Christmas Walkway of Lights, as a million lights reflect from the waters of Lake Marble Falls. This Winter Wonderland attracts visitors from around the world. Donations collected during the season help to add to the ongoing splendor of this site. You wont want to miss this!
New Braunfels, also known for its German culture, will bring Weihnachtsmarkt, a German Christmas Shopping market filled with Christmas goodies, Old Gruene Market Days, a Candlelight Tour, visit with St. Nicholas, Christmas caroling and more. A variety of seasonal activities will be going on in the New Braunfels area during the six week Trail.

The hills come aglow with the fire of Christmas lights as Round Mountain celebrates its pioneer heritage. The historic buildings of this 1850s frontier community are outlined in lights. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and invited to tour, shop, then dine at the renowned Round-Up Restaurant.

Wimberley joins the festivities with its Creekside Christmas. Known for its Hill Country hospitality and natural beauty, the entire Wimberley Valley celebrates the season with merry Christmas lighting, a visit from Santa, the Jingle Bell 5K Run, Bed & Breakfast Holiday Tour, Christmas Village Exhibit, and Live Nativity Scene. The holidays are a perfect time to take advantage of Wimberleys history and shopping ambiance. The historic square on Cypress Creek is home to antique shops, country craft stores, art galleries, and excellent eateries. Other seasonal events will take place throughout the Wimberley Valley.

Individuals and families are invited to enjoy each communitys festive lighting displays from the comfort and safety of their vehicles, or by parking and strolling. Most activities are free or have minimal cost. Visitors are always welcome to shop, dine, and sightsee, as many stores and businesses keep special longer hours during the holidays.

Complete details of events in each town, free brochure and area map are available by contacting the Regional Christmas Lighting Trail Headquarters in Fredericksburg at 1-866-TEX-FEST () or by checking out tex-fest.com.