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With holidays on the horizon, Elginites gathered in downtown Veterans’ Memorial Park to spread cheer and watch the street come to life during the annual Lighted Parade.
This year’s Holiday by the Tracks featured a Christmas Bazaar and Hot Cocoa Stroll, sponsored by the city, Elgin Main Street Board and Chamber of Commerce.
The ensemble of local staples and popup vendors helped residents check some items off of their Christmas lists, with plenty of handmade goods to choose from. Knitted outerwear and blankets were in no short supply, prepping for the cold weather to come.
“We like to dress our goods up for Christmas, too,” said Eileen Niswander with Yegua Creek Farms, whose scarved champagne pecans were a popular purchase.
Before the sun set and the park’s new display of lights came on, Main Street saw attendees patrol the sidewalks with mugs in hand for warming cups of hot chocolate. Participating establishments prepared their own brands of cocoa, some sweeter than others.
“I don’t even think that counts as hot chocolate, that’s just ice cream,” said one young reviewer.
The evening culminated in Elgin’s storied Lighted Parade, with hundreds of locals and visitors set up to watch the city glow.
Santa strolled alongside luau-Santa, fireman-Santa and a line of sportscar-driving-Santas, led by Elgin’s Police Department, who closed off and reopened the street without any issues.
Local businesses dressed their floats up with humming bulbs to celebrate the time of year, and representatives from the Boy Scouts, Elgin High School, Bastrop Pride and local churches all brought their own creativity downtown.
Several of the construction companies responsible for Elgin’s continuous growth rode in on heavy machinery, drawing gasps from Elgin’s youth with each honk of their horns.
The talented Wildcat Marching Band set the tone for the parade, representing their school well.
The whole parade lasted no more than an hour, but the excitement it brought for the holiday season will last for some time.
