Officials in several southern Denton County communities are busy finishing last-minute details on both new and old traditions, offering everything from Christmas tree lighting ceremonies to Breakfast with Santa to night-time parades and much more.
Flower Mound
Flower Mound Mayor Tom Hayden is excited about the new tradition the town is starting this year, moving its daytime holiday parade to night-time where residents can see the glowing colorful lights adorning cars, floats and more.
“It’s going to be great,” he says of the Dec. 6 event which begins at 6 p.m. and continues until 9 p.m. Any resident interested in being in the parade should complete an application form online at www.flower-mound.com/holidayevents.
In honor of its 25th anniversary, the parade will follow a course down Spinks Road to Gerault Park where a tree lighting ceremony is planned. Along with the official lighting ceremony, residents will find choral performances, photos with Santa, a snow hill, a petting zoo, carriage rides, food trucks, activities for kids, vendors and more.
Also slated for this holiday season are two opportunities to have Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13 in the Community Activity Center multipurpose room. Santa has made time in his busy schedule for breakfast at 8 a.m. and again at 9:30 a.m., town officials say. Youngsters can sit on his lap and even create a keepsake ornament to take home with them for their own tree.
For the construction-minded youngsters who happen to love the sweet smell of gingerbread, there’s Gingerbread House Decorating from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, also at the Community Activity Center. Youngsters will have a smorgasbord of decorative materials to use on the gingerbread house.
And who could miss the Grinch Scramble slated for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at Gerault Park. With flashlights in hand, families go on a candy cane hunt while keeping their eyes peeled for the Grinch himself. If he’s found, a grand prize follows. The Grinch Scramble also offers holiday music, crafts and games.
Town officials are also planning to install lighted decorations this year along major thoroughfares and around the Community Activity Center, further adding to the holiday spirit.
Highland Village
A time-honored tradition continues with the official lighting of the 54-foot Christmas tree at the Shops at Highland Village. Known as the annual Our Village Glows, Highland Village and other area residents enjoy the festive event at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, where local choral students will sing carols, Santa will stop in for photos and tasty treats will be available as will be face painting, cookie decorating and more.
Each year, residents steadily plan for their spectacular seasonal displays throughout Highland Village as part of the annual Parade of Lights holiday lighting contest. Not only is it fun for the homeowners, but also for all of the passersby who get to see their creativity in fully-lit display.
Residents also can expect to see Santa drive by as he is escorted by the Highland Village Fire Department throughout neighborhoods. To find out when he’ll be in your particular neighborhood, be sure to check the city’s website at www.highlandvillage.org.
But if you’re away from home when Santa visits your neighborhood, don’t fret. He’s returning on Dec. 20 from 1-4 p.m. at the Highland Village Fire Station at 1200 Highland Village Road. Santa will be ready to take gift requests and once that request is delivered, there will be a fire engine bounce house, coloring, face painting, pictures with Santa and more.
The fire department is also accepting new, unwrapped toys at the central station through Dec. 14, when they will be delivered to a local charity for distribution to youngsters in need.
Argyle
The annual Argyle Christmas Tree Lighting and festivities will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Argyle Town Hall. Live music, kids entertainment, hot apple cider, popcorn and, of course, Santa Claus, are part of the events that will culminate with the tree lighting.
Participants can also bring canned food donations for the Argyle Food Bank, and new unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.
Parking is available at Town Hall and the Real Estate Station. There will also be hayrides from the post office and Veracity Research Company parking lots.
The event is sponsored by PointBank, Real Estate Station, Argyle Lions Club, Tangles & Co. Salon, ACCPD, Argyle Fine Arts Preschool, The Hinton Family, Northstar Bank and Metroplex Concrete.
Bartonville
Bartonville is planning an Old Time Christmas at Bartonville Town Center, 2650 FM 407, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 6.
The evening event will feature live entertainment from The Poor Kings, face painting, caricatures, crazy balloons, a hot cocoa corner, wine tasting, dancing champagne carriage rides, food as well as artists and vendors selling items available for holiday gifts.
Donations of coats, blankets and toys to Mission Moms are being accepted with items going to help 10 surrounding campuses in the Denton Independent School District.
Anyone interested in being a vendor should call 940-241-3200.
Earlier in the day, be sure not to miss Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at Palermo’s Italian Café in Bartonville Town Center. Kids eat free when they bring a toy or game to be donated to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Other entertainment includes Big Al’s Twisted Balloons, rides in Santa’s train, face painting and caricatures.
Copper Canyon
A Santa Party is in store for youngsters living in Copper Canyon. The traditional event is slated from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Town Hall. Santa will arrive aboard a fire engine, thanks to the help of the Argyle Volunteer Fire Department and Fire Chief Mac Hohenberger.
There will even be an opportunity for children and parents to hop aboard for their very own ride atop the fire engine. While awaiting turns, residents will enjoy cookies and refreshments, photo sessions with Santa and art projects.
Double Oak
At the JB Wright Park next to Double Oak Town Hall, residents and others from neighboring communities are invited for the annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Word is a “special guest” will arrive to officially kick off the holiday season, not to mention visit with youngsters.
A few days later, Santa will tour the neighborhoods of Double Oak aboard a fire engine with assistance from the Double Oak Volunteer Fire Department. Be sure to check his schedule at www.double-oak.com and www.dovfd.org.
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