Sweetness & lights; Georgetown Christmas Stroll promises a
wholesome getaway from big-city bustle
BYLINE: David Vance
DATE: 12-02-1999
PUBLICATION: The Austin American-Statesman
It's a wonderful life. That's a sentiment our cinematic friend George Bailey learned
through much tribulation and his friendly guardian angel. It's a sentiment the holiday
season easily tea-ches. And it's a sentiment small towns such as Georgetown, just 20
minutes north of Austin, seem to know by heart. Witness this Williamson County
hamlet's 20th Annual ``It's a Wonderful Life'' Christmas Stroll on Saturday around the
downtown courthouse square. As a family getaway from big-city bustle, this evening of
wholesome entertainment offers a warm glimpse of community on a potentially cold
night. (OK, probably not so cold. It is Texas after all.) Though growing fast, Georgetown
still remains Mayberry-esque in feel and strives to keep that small-town character by
coming together with friends old and new. The stroll itself gets rolling at 3 p.m., just in
time for the holiday shopping season. Shops on the square will be open , and vendors
will line sidewalks selling their wares. Gift ideas include handmade arts and crafts,
holiday decorations and homemade jewelry. Food appropriate to the occasion will also
be available, with hot chocolate, apple cider and roasted chestnuts thawing and
warming even the most frozen Scrooge or icy Grinch. L ocal church choirs full of
costumed carolers will leaven the evening with lilting songs from the courthouse steps.
To further enhance the olde-tyme feel, free carriage rides promise to take their riders
back to a bygone era of a more romantic and leisurely life. For the children, a free
barrel train ride offers to choo-choo chug the tots up, down and around the square to
their own time and pace. The main ornament decorating the evening, though, is the
45-minute to hourlong holiday parade around the square at 5:30 p.m. Marching to the
mistletoe beat will be local organizations, festive floats and anyone who wants to tag
along. The parade is open to everyone wanting and willing to take a stroll: One year
saw more than 700 strollers parading around the square. Also, as part of the evening's
community spirit, donations of toys and gifts for the Blue and Brown Santa programs
(absent Deputy Barney Fife) will be accepted during the parade. After the parade
though, the sun should have set, dark will have descended and the wonderfully old and
Christmas-lighted courthouse will provide a spark to the spirit and all the light revelers
need. If you've driven Interstate 35 through Georgetown this week or previous holidays,
you've seen the magnificent courthouse square aglow in the east , shining like the star
for the three wise men. Let it be your shining guide too, leading you to where the little
town lies. Providing the heat for the evening, two stages set up around the square will
hum with hometown entertainment until 9 p.m. Among those participating will be local
school choirs, dancers and various musicians. One famous visitor who's no stranger to
anyone should fly in for the occasion and feel right at home in the festive, hopefully
wintery small town atmosphere. No, not Jimmy Stewart or Andy Griffith. It's the jolly red
and white one from the North Pole. Participating in the parade with the Missus, Santa
will also be available for picture-taking and present-requesting afterwards. Naughty or
nice, young and old, he'll certainly welcome all comers, so don't even think twice. Now
the holiday message should be as clear as a jingling bell announcing that an angel
received its wings. Come and share the hometown happiness and season's spirit that
George Bailey and Georgetown know so well. Don't be shy, I've told you why: It's a
wonderful life indeed.