Bright nights ahead across county

Bastrop County is prepared to light up for the holidays once more with three festive parades.

In Elgin, the Lighted Holiday Parade begins Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. downtown, featuring twinkling floats along Main Street from 11th Street to Brenham Street.

Also Dec. 7, Smithville hosts its 33rd annual Festival of Lights with activities all day, including a Gingerbread Trot 5K and a 7 p.m. parade inspired by “The Polar Express.”

Bastrop’s Lost Pines Lighted Christmas Parade Dec. 14 caps off the season with more than 130 entries lighting up Main Street from 6 to 8 p.m.