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Entertainment on tap throughout the afternoon for Hometown Christmas at the Depot in Magnolia
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| Children from near and far will gather at the Magnolia Depot on Saturday, Dec. 13, to visit Santa. Here, 2-year-old Hailey Ross of Washington, Texas gave Santa her list last year. |
By TANA ROSS
On Saturday, Dec. 13, after the Magnolia Christmas Parade, there will be live music and entertainment when the Magnolia Historical Society offers its Hometown Christmas at the Depot, open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. The children’s choir from Magnolia Elementary School will kick things off at noon followed by a drama presented by students from Magnolia Junior High School.
A Celtic musical group with Magnolia’s own Nancy Ellis will offer two performances during the afternoon along with soloists Karen Shadbolt, Mia Beecham and Sharon Miller. The men of Magnolia, Eddie Shivley and Jason Keipers, will take the stage at 2 p.m.
Snow forecasted for Hometown Christmas at the Depot:
Snow at the depot is forecasted when Santa arrives to visit with area children, sometime after 12:30 p.m.
“Since Santa is coming to town from the North Pole, we thought it would be nice to make him and Mrs. Claus feel at home with some snow,” Hometown Christmas chair Katrina Welch said. “I hope all the children will come out to enjoy it ‘snowing’ in Texas.”
The afternoon will also offer children visits and photos inside the historic depot with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In fact, the society has purchased a new chair for Santa just for the occasion and a film will be shown inside the depot while children wait to sit in Santa’s lap.
The Cookie Express returns this year, offering homemade goodies inside the Community Building next door to the depot for a small price per pound with boxes provided. Outside, handmade and handcrafted arts and crafts will be for sale at the Christmas Market. Vendors at the Christmas Market include area artisans, exclusively.
Food and beverages will be available for sale and children’s activities and games will be on the grounds surrounding the Magnolia Depot and Community Building.
“I hope everyone will come out for this old-fashioned holiday event,” Welch said. “It really does offer something for everyone and it is a great way to welcome the holidays with your neighbors and friends.”
Depot doin’s follow annual parade:
Events at the Magnolia Depot will follow the city’s seasonal tradition: the 2008 Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. This year Jacob Hernandez of the University of Texas track team will lead the annual event as parade marshal. Hernandez is a 2004 graduate of Magnolia High School. He plans to graduate from UT in May 2009 where he is studying public relations and corporate communications.
In 2008 Hernandez was the NCAA champion of the 800 meter. As a middle distance runner is a four-time All-American, five-time Big 12 Champion and eight-time All-Big 12 champion. In addition he was a United States Olympic trials participant in 2008. Hernandez said he is honored to be asked to lead his hometown’s annual holiday tradition.
“I was very surprised. I’ve never done a parade before, this is all new to me,” he said. “I can’t wait to come home for the holidays and be a part of this unique hometown experience.”
This year’s parade, featuring Santa with a black Percheron (known as the storybook horse), is expected to draw a record crowd along the new parade route that stretches 1.5 miles along Buddy Riley Boulevard, from FM 1774 to FM 1488.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, parade-goers are expected to line up for the “really big show.”
“We have more than 100 horse entries this year,” MACC President Anne Sundquist said. “This should really be something to see.”
County and city officials along with businesses throughout the area are also expected to participate with more than 70 cars and floats, all decorated to celebrate the season. In addition, there will be two marching bands and two choirs in the parade offering the sounds of the season.
A Celtic musical group with Magnolia’s own Nancy Ellis will offer two performances during the afternoon along with soloists Karen Shadbolt, Mia Beecham and Sharon Miller. The men of Magnolia, Eddie Shivley and Jason Keipers, will take the stage at 2 p.m.
Snow forecasted for Hometown Christmas at the Depot:
Snow at the depot is forecasted when Santa arrives to visit with area children, sometime after 12:30 p.m.
“Since Santa is coming to town from the North Pole, we thought it would be nice to make him and Mrs. Claus feel at home with some snow,” Hometown Christmas chair Katrina Welch said. “I hope all the children will come out to enjoy it ‘snowing’ in Texas.”
The afternoon will also offer children visits and photos inside the historic depot with Santa and Mrs. Claus. In fact, the society has purchased a new chair for Santa just for the occasion and a film will be shown inside the depot while children wait to sit in Santa’s lap.
The Cookie Express returns this year, offering homemade goodies inside the Community Building next door to the depot for a small price per pound with boxes provided. Outside, handmade and handcrafted arts and crafts will be for sale at the Christmas Market. Vendors at the Christmas Market include area artisans, exclusively.
Food and beverages will be available for sale and children’s activities and games will be on the grounds surrounding the Magnolia Depot and Community Building.
“I hope everyone will come out for this old-fashioned holiday event,” Welch said. “It really does offer something for everyone and it is a great way to welcome the holidays with your neighbors and friends.”
Depot doin’s follow annual parade:
Events at the Magnolia Depot will follow the city’s seasonal tradition: the 2008 Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. This year Jacob Hernandez of the University of Texas track team will lead the annual event as parade marshal. Hernandez is a 2004 graduate of Magnolia High School. He plans to graduate from UT in May 2009 where he is studying public relations and corporate communications.
In 2008 Hernandez was the NCAA champion of the 800 meter. As a middle distance runner is a four-time All-American, five-time Big 12 Champion and eight-time All-Big 12 champion. In addition he was a United States Olympic trials participant in 2008. Hernandez said he is honored to be asked to lead his hometown’s annual holiday tradition.
“I was very surprised. I’ve never done a parade before, this is all new to me,” he said. “I can’t wait to come home for the holidays and be a part of this unique hometown experience.”
This year’s parade, featuring Santa with a black Percheron (known as the storybook horse), is expected to draw a record crowd along the new parade route that stretches 1.5 miles along Buddy Riley Boulevard, from FM 1774 to FM 1488.
Beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, parade-goers are expected to line up for the “really big show.”
“We have more than 100 horse entries this year,” MACC President Anne Sundquist said. “This should really be something to see.”
County and city officials along with businesses throughout the area are also expected to participate with more than 70 cars and floats, all decorated to celebrate the season. In addition, there will be two marching bands and two choirs in the parade offering the sounds of the season.
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