Burnet set for its annual Christmas on the Square
Last year’s Christmas on the Square event sponsored by the Burnet Chamber of Commerce featured a bicycle giveaway with more than 150 bikes donated by area businesses and individuals.
BURNET – The annual Christmas on the Square is right around the corner and the Burnet Chamber of Commerce hopes additional donations for the bicycle giveaway will continue to roll in.
The festival is 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 13 on the downtown Square.
“There will be something for everybody this year at Christmas on the Square,” Chamber administrative assistant Brenda Clark said. “We will have vendors selling food, drinks and crafts, a parade, clog dancing, music and pictures with Santa. It’s a very fun day with lots of activities.”
The holiday fair will again feature a bicycle giveaway. Chamber manager Patti Alford is hoping to have at least 100 bikes, scooters, helmets, tricycles and related toys for children. Collection boxes have been placed at area businesses such as Christmas Cafe, Re/MAX of Burnet, State Farm Insurance, High Chaparral RV, Hanszen Real Estate and the Chamber of Commerce office, 229 S. Pierce St.
“The festival has grown over the years as word gets out, and lots of people are in town for the Steam Train Holiday Lights Tour and Main Street Bethlehem,” Patti Alford said. “It’s come to a point where it draws a huge crowd and it’s amazing how it’s grown over the years.”
Alford is asking for new bicycles or a monetary donation at the Chamber office. The cost of each bike averages $50; Chamber officials will shop at Walmart in Marble Falls to purchase additional bikes needed for the drawing, they said.
“We would like to have at least 100 bikes donated. Last year, we gave away 150, but we expect the number of donations to be down from 2007,” Alford said. “For the giveaway, kids must be present to win. Kids can sign up at a number of participating sponsor locations, and we borrow the large hopper from the (Commemorative) Air Force members to place the names in, tumble and then pick in a random drawing. The drawing will start at 6 p.m. The Square will be full of vendors and this will be a great time to do some Christmas shopping.”
The festival parade starts at 5:30 p.m. Santa will ride on a float and be available for pictures 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at a cost of $6 each.
Chamber officials said for the first time Christmas wreaths will be on sale this year for $40 each, and there will be a cakewalk/bake sale during Christmas on the Square to benefit the Burnet County Santa’s Helpers program, which provides toys for children in the Highland Lakes.
For more, stop by the Chamber office or give call (512) 756-4297.
byoung@thepicayune.com
Courtesy photo