Bertram welcomes everyone to its Old Tyme Christmas

DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

BERTRAM — When Mary Moore moved to the Bertram area 15 years ago, she found a place worth settling down in.

“It felt like coming home,” Moore said. “Everybody is so friendly. And it feels like they’ve known you for years.”

On Nov. 29, everybody — Bertram residents and visitors alike — can experience that feeling during the town’s Olde Tyme Christmas celebration from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be on Vaughan Street, just one block south of Texas 29.

“We’ll have lots of vendors set up selling arts and crafts and other things,” Moore said. “It’s all handcrafted goods, not something made in China. These people work all year making things. If it can be made, they make it — all by hand.”

Along with the arts and crafts, there will be plenty of music and food. Moore said they usually get a classic car show to come in and line up along one part of the street.

“Oh, and we have Christmas caroling,” she added.

Bertram, though smaller than several of the other Highland Lakes communities, boasts a big heart. It’s something Moore noticed almost as soon as she moved to the area.

“If there’s an event or something going on, and they need help, just about as soon as you ask for help, a half-dozen hands go up to offer to help,” Moore said. “That’s just the way people are here.”

“Everybody gets involved,” she said. “Even at the (Bertram Elementary), it’s nothing to see grandparents — who aren’t raising their grandchildren — at the school attending events. You’ll get all three generations for some things at the school.”

That willingness to help and community involvement permeates Olde Tyme Christmas as well. Though there’s a committee of about five people who really coordinate and steer the event, Moore said a lot of people chip in to make sure it’s a great time.

Even three generations of her family help out.

“We hope people just come out and have fun,” Moore said.

Santa Claus will be at the downtown park, so come ready to get your picture taken with him.

daniel@thepicayune.com