Main Street prepares for ‘Enchanted Christmas’ Winterfest celebration

Gonzales Main Street will hold its annual Winterfest celebration on Dec. 6-7 with the theme this year being “Enchanted Christmas.”

There will be events, fun and entertainment for all ages with a number of activities taking place in Independence Square and the downtown area as well as at “Santa’s Depot” at the old train depot on Saint Andrew and Saint Peter streets.

The fun starts Friday, Dec. 6, which is the last day to drop off your letter in Santa’s Mailbox at Santa’s Depot. Santa himself will arrive at 6 p.m. to the depot by TXGN locomotive and will be greeting kids (with complimentary hot cocoa served) from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., when he will catch the Christmas trolley to Independence Square for the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at 8:45 p.m. What’s cool is there will be a golden ticket giveaway to ride with Santa on the trolley! Eight lucky folks will ride with Mayor Steve Sucher, the elves and Santa!

Saturday, Dec. 7, begins with the always awesome Pancake Breakfast with Santa Claus at the Methodist Church, 426 Saint Paul St., at 9 a.m and ending at 11 a.m. This is a ticketed event with tickets being sold by the Gonzales Rotary Club for $8 per ticket and $50 for a table for eight or $60 for a table for 10. Tickets are available at the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, 304 Saint Louis St., and proceeds will be donated to local children’s charities.

A 10-hour period of fun begins at noon and continues through to 10 p.m. at Independence Square with most everything free to attend though some ancillary events require ticket purchases. Children’s activities include a bounce house, carnival rides, a Wiggle Waggle Kidz Express train from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and a petting zoo from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Historic Homes Tours begin at 1 p.m. and continue to 5 p.m. both Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8. See separate story for more information. Tickets are available for purchase online at Gonzaleshistorichomes.org.

Santa’s Christmas Market is the place to get your shopping done with the following merchandise vendors planned to be present: Charms Galore, Razzle Dazzle Jewelry, Rebels Crafts & Clothing, SD-Design Clothing, Southern Charm Gifts, Sweet & Spicy Book Store, That’s My Style Clothing Boutique, Ojedas Gift Shop, Old Schoolhouse Apiary, Mily Creations Hair Bows, INAB Imports, DK Designs Unique Gifts, WB Farm & Ranch, “So Cute” Wreaths, Botas Matamoros Leather, Greg’s Creations Pendants & Ornaments, Miller Farms Christmas decorations, Heaven Scent Luxury Perfumes, Kourtney’s Crafts, Burns Resale Shop Gifts, CJ Sales Light Up Toys, De La Garza Coffee, iPainfree, K&D Gifts & Things, Kaley’s Kuntry Creations, Painted Heart Ranch, Lori Cruz Mary Kay Cosmetics, Gonzales FCCLA & Anchor Club, Special Needs Athletes and The Redemption Story.

Food vendors will include Eri’s Snacks y Mas, Taqueria Dolores, Funtastic CarnivalFood, Alright Boyz BBQ & More, Tex-Mex Up in Smoke, Colchado BBQ & More, The Dawg House and 5D Traveling Tavern.

Live performances will take place at 4 p.m. by the Come and Take It Dance Studio; at 5 p.m. by saxophone artist Roger Fisher and at 8:30 p.m. by the Off the Railz Band.

The big event everyone loves is the lighted Christmas parade which will start at 7 p.m. The parade begins at Gonzales Junior High and travels down Saint Louis Street through downtown Gonzales, going around the backside of the Courthouse and around Texas Heroes and Independence Square before going back down Saint Joseph Street to Saint Lawrence Street.

Pioneer Village will also be open Saturday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for Stars in the Village, which will also be held Dec. 13-14 at the same time. Have an 1890s Christmas and see Mrs. Claus and an elf on Dec. 7 (Santa will be there Dec. 13-14). Watch an authentic blacksmith at work, and come hear music in the old chapel. The event will have candle making, churning butter, spinning, ornament making, corn shuck dolls, popping popcorn around the campfire, hot chocolate, wassail and holiday cookies, as well as roasting marshmallows around the campfire. The event will be offered for both adults and children, with tickets at $8 for adults, and $5 for kids under 12 years of age.

Sponsors for Winterfest include Gonzales Main Street, DuBose Insurance Agency, GVEC, H-E-B, Energy Waste Rentals & Service, TXGN Railway, BYK Additives & Instruments, City of Gonzales, Gonzales Inquirer, Shear Design Boutique, CSK Wood Work & Design and Latinos Unidos.