Jan. 2, 2024 Garland Texan article by Kim Everett
Everyone had a wonderful time at the Magical Candlelight Christmas-town 2023 event. The Christmas celebration was on 11th Street which is part of an area that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 110-year-old neighborhood is known as the Travis College Hill District.
Seven of the homes on 11th Street and in the Embree area were decorated for the holidays, and attendees had an opportunity to tour the homes’ interiors.
Event attendees were happy to have access to horse-drawn carriage rides that transported them to the downtown area where they could attend A Garland Christmas on the Square, which was going on at the same time. The carriages made it easy to get from one event to the other.
Area churches, as well as other groups of performers, sang Christmas carols, and Santa and Mrs.
Clause heard Christmas wishes from guests of all ages. They also provided a great photo op.
Thanks to Garland’s First Presbyterian Church members, there was a hand-hewn stable with live farm animals that was a fun attraction for the kids. The church also provided a crafts booth and hot dogs at their fellowship hall. Representatives from Garland’s new business, White Rhino Cocoa, offered complimentary samples.
Christmas-town 2023 provided a festive evening for visitors and served as a fun way to get into the Christmas spirit.
The event was funded in part by a grant from the Garland Cultural Arts Commission and the city of Garland Cultural Arts Division.
Photos by: Ed Moore, Jan Nosko Alexander, Dawn Hallman, Debbie Scott and Jim Bird