(Press release)

Bring the family downtown for Keep Waco Beautiful’s annual Holiday on the Square on Saturday, Dec. 6th.

Downtown Merchants will light up the streets with shop lights and fun activities making Downtown a special place to be! Everyone should come early and shop, stay to see the parade and then head to the Square for the tree lighting with Santa. Afterwards, a bite to eat at a downtown restaurant would be a real treat!

Come Jingle with us at the 19th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis. The Jingle Bell Run, sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, will begin registration at 4 pm. Runners and walkers can participate in costume in a 5k or 1 mile run or walk along the historic Brazos River, beginning at 5 pm. Children can dash around the “North Pole” in the Santa Shuffle. Costumes, strollers, and dogs are encouraged. Prizes, trophies and awards will be handed out to individuals and teams that raise the most money, have the most participants and wear the best costume. Ann Harder and Bruce Gietzen will host the event.

Enjoy the music of children’s choirs, hand bell choirs, and interact with costumed cast from Waco Civic Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” before the 56th annual Waco Jaycee Christmas Parade begins at 7:15 pm. The parade will travel down Austin Avenue from 8th Street to Heritage Square. Max and Tamme from Oldies 95 will serve as honorary parade marshals for this bright, festive parade.

Following the parade, Keep Waco Beautiful will sponsor the 28th annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which will feature the 25-foot reusable tree, donated to the city by Keep Waco Beautiful. Mayor DuPuy will flip the giant switch that illuminates the tree.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive during the parade and will then be present for pictures under the tree after it is lit. Children can share their Christmas wish lists with the jolly couple.

Snacks and drinks will be available in the Square.

Throughout the evening, Cultural Arts Fest will lead children in designing holiday cards. HOT Rodeo Sweethearts will be on hand to paint children’s faces. Art Center Waco will help create ornaments. Historic Waco Foundation Belles and Beaus will be present, in costume, to assist Santa picture taking. And City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department will man a S’mores Pit.

For questions about the Holiday on the Square event, contact Keep Waco Beautiful at 750-5728.

To participate in the Jingle Bell Run, call Rachel Martinez at the Arthritis Foundation at 772-9303.

For parade registration, contact Jonathan Cook at 750-8080.