100-percent chance of snow on Saturday

By LPR Staff

Editor/POST-REGISTER

Christmas is on its way to Lockhart this weekend, as the Dr. Eugene Clark Library prepares for the silver anniversary of the Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart.

For the last quarter-century, an army of volunteers and library staffers, led by Co-Chairs Stephanie Riggin and Felicity Winnett, along with Library Director Bertha M

artinez, have joined forces with the Friends of the Library, the City of Lockhart Library Advisory Board, the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce and dozens of sponsors, to bring a free, family holiday celebration to Lockhart. Promoting literacy, Library involvement and family fun, the Dickens Committee has held to the promise that every child can participate in every event at the Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart, without paying a cent.

This year, the Committee has brought a special treat – the forecast calls for snow in Lockhart on Saturday morning. Many local children will get their first, and possibly only, taste of playing in the snow, because the Dickens Committee has secured a snow slide and play area, which will be set up on Prairie Lea Street on Saturday morning, and will continue to operate as long as the weather permits.

“We’ve been working on this for a long time, and we’re so excited to be able to bring the snow to Lockhart this year,” Riggin said.

The slide, which will be monitored by local emergency services and the police department to ensure safe and smooth operation of the slide, which will be open to adults and children alike.

Riggin said the partnership with the city has allowed for lining of Prairie Lea Street, as well as protective barriers to be installed around the slide and play area to ensure the safety of sliders.

The snow slide will open promptly at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

This year’s Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart has been dedicated to longtime Lockhart City Council member and public servant Doug Buckner, who passed away last January.

Buckner, in addition to his service on the Council, and with the Lockhart Volunteer Fire Department, was well-known in the community for his love and tireless dedication to children – particularly to the less-fortunate children in the community. He spent years of his life working with the Hermann Sons helping to generate funds for college scholarships; he was a known fixture at the annual Bicycle Rodeo, giving out free bicycle helmets to children who needed them.

The Library, and particularly the Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart, held a special place in Buckner’s heart, and he could often be found around the Square, chatting with the children and the families, and making sure they each felt special.

A ceremony will be held on Saturday night, prior to the lighting of the Yule Log, to show appreciation for Buckner and to honor his family.

The real festivities kick off on Friday night, though, as the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce lines up floats on Market Street for the Lighted Parade at 7 p.m. This twinkling spectacle of performers, bands and civic organizations culminates with the arrival of Father Christmas, who will arrive in Lockhart early on Friday night, and be at the Library all day to hear local children’s holiday wishes.

If this weren’t enough classic Christmas entertainment, the Gaslight-Baker Theatre will be presenting performances of the Charles Dickens staple, “A Christmas Carol,” at the historic Baker Theater, immediately across the street from the Dr. Eugene Clark Library complex. Showtime is 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evening.

Other events slated in connection with this year’s 25th anniversary of the Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart include:

Holiday Home Tours: the Beta Sigma Phi sponsors a Holiday Tour of Homes from 1- 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets purchased in advance are $ 10 and can be purchased from the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, First Lockhart National Bank or from any Beta member. The day of the event, tickets are $12 and can be bought at the location of any home on the tour. See Page 2A of this week’s Post-Register for a complete list of homes on the tour.

MLC Make Life Count 5K: Stroll, roll or run through beautiful Lockhart and support the MLC Scholarship Program through the Monico and Manuela Cisneros Education Foundation. The 5K run begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at the corner of Market and Guadalupe St. Online registration available at MakeLifeCount.org.

Local Authors Meet-and Greet: Meet with local published authors in the Children’s Area on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

An autographed book makes a great Christmas gift!

See the Page 9A of this week’s Post-Register for the full Dickens schedule.