Walkway of Lights signals start of Christmas cheer
Residents also know the holiday magic can’t happen without the participation of enthusiastic volunteers, and sponsors of the Walkway are always on the lookout for those.
But just as important is the Christmas Spirit! Parade, which kicks off at 6 p.m. today to open the annual Walkway of Lights. It starts with a high-spirited stroll from downtown to Lakeside Park, 307 Buena Vista Drive, just as the twilight and chill are settling in.
We urge residents to join the parade, to take part in the festive event, to forget their cares if only for a little while, and to become a part of something grand, an event that unites the Highland Lakes in the spirit of a season that promises new hope for mankind.
Can mugs of hot chocolate and steaming tamales be far behind?
When the parade concludes, then the switch for the Walkway is thrown. In the blink of an eye, Marble Falls becomes a winter wonderland, beckoning to all to leave their cares behind and rediscover why Christmas is so magical, kids are delighted and adults have a chance to find the child within, re-discover that little boy or little girl whose eyes once grew wide as saucers at the sight of a shiny reindeer or a glowing Santa Claus.
In this time of recession, job losses, war and political discord, events such as the parade and the Walkway of Lights remind us the world still has a few wonders, a few sights that make the breath catch in our throats and a smile creep across our faces.
Like scattered diamonds floating above the night-shrouded shoreline of the Lower Colorado River, the 1 million lights lovingly hung by dedicated volunteers shine in the darkness, a faerie beacon that draws visitors from near and far.
The Christmas lights make up 35 different scenes and more than 100 light sculptures. The sight is truly one to behold, delighting young and old alike. An added bonus are the visits by a certain jolly old elf with a belly like jelly and a thick white beard.
The lights are sponsored by the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Chamber of Commerce. Last year more than 40,000 visitors enjoyed strolling through the winding pathway of the Walkway; the Chamber this year expects even more.
Chamber officials said two-third of those visitors are arrivals from outside the Highland Lakes. The challenge, of course, is finding ways to convince these guests to linger a while, visiting area shops, restaurants and hotels.
And while the town does what it can to make these visitors feel welcome and appreciated, everything starts with the parade.
The parade will head south down Main Street before coming to the Yett Street intersection. At that point, the floats, vehicles and horse-drawn wagons will turn right and head down Yett, allowing foot traffic to proceed toward the main entrance of the Walkway of Lights at the park.
The Chamber also plans to have a line of lit Christmas trees along the way to the main entrance, making this a truly beautiful walk down to the Walkway of Lights. Organizers this year want everyone to gather at the entrance.
This is a good goal and benefits the community. The Walkway of Lights is an annual favorite, but it will only prosper if residents volunteer their time.
Now that’s a good Christmas present.