Nine Flags Christmas Festival Kicks Into High Gear
NACOGDOCHES – The 17th annual Nine Flags Christmas Festival will get a high-voltage jump-start when the downtown lighting display featuring more than 3 million lights is set aglow with the flip of a switch Friday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m. Following the Lighting Ceremony, presented by Commercial Bank of Texas, will be pictures with Santa and a 7 p.m. showing of the family favorite “Polar Express.”
The Nine Flags Christmas Festival will be in full swing Saturday, December 7, in downtown Nacogdoches with an entire day of holiday fun. The day starts early with Jingle Bell Run and will continue throughout the day with Santa’s workshop, the largest lighted Christmas parade in East Texas, a dazzling fireworks display and new this year, a movie on the brick streets.
“We have over 100 parade participants every year with amazing floats. This is definitely an event you don’t want to miss,” said Mallori Brookshire, meeting and event coordinator for the Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau.
The 17th annual Jingle Bell Run, a certified 5K run with chip timing, will start at 8:00 a.m. and proceed through the city’s historic residential and business districts. Registration forms are available online at https://onestoprace.com. Registration forms are also available at the Visitor Center, 200 E. Main. Fees are $20 (early registration) or $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Jingle Bell Run is sponsored by Mike Perry Chevrolet Buick / Perry Kawasaki, R & K Distributors and Soleus Running.
Santa’s Workshop will be held 4-6 p.m. in downtown Nacogdoches in the Plaza Principal and will feature pictures with Santa, letters to Santa, children’s crafts and more. Bring a toy to donate to our Toy
Drive and help other Nacogdoches County children have a Christmas to remember. Also, sample a smorgasbord of traditional festival food from a variety of food vendors on the downtown square 4-9 p.m.
As the day’s events unfold, excitement will be building for the largest lighted Christmas parade in East Texas sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas. The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will wind its way through downtown Nacogdoches, which itself will be aglow with more than 3 million festive holiday lights. The evening will culminate in an exciting fireworks display sponsored by Austin Bank, Bancorp South, Joe Max Green Insurance Concepts and Mike Perry Motor Company followed by a free showing of Home Alone on the brick streets of the Plaza Principal sponsored by Tipton Ford.
“We welcome everyone to downtown Nacogdoches December 6-7 to help us ring in the holidays,” Brookshire said. “If you are not yet in the holiday spirit before you come to the Nine Flags Christmas Festival, you surely will be when you leave!”
The Nine Flags Christmas Festival is a celebration of Texas history & culture and will be held Nov. 23 through Dec. 14 in Nacogdoches, located about 150 miles north of Houston via U.S. 59. Nine different flags have flown over the oldest town in Texas throughout its rich history, and this year’s festival will pay special tribute to the Lone Star flag. Platinum sponsors of the festival include Commercial Bank of Texas, Legends at SFA/Lumberjack Lofts, Mike Perry Motor Company, Texas Farm Products and Walmart.
For more information about the Nine Flags Christmas Festival, call 888-OLDEST-TOWN, visit nineflagsfestival.com, and be our friend on facebook @ Christmas Celebration.