It’s beginning to look a lot like ‘Dickens’ **UPDATED 12/2, 11:46 A.M.**

On the first weekend of December each year the town of Lockhart, Texas is transformed into a Dickens’ style Christmas. A fun time is always had by all who attend this grand annual event at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library and around the Downtown Square in Lockhart.

Tonight, the annual “Lighted Christmas Parade” kicks off this weekend and is sponsored by the Lockhart Chambe

r of Commerce. The parade is a fantastic display of lights that travels around the Courthouse Square. Line-up begins at 5 p.m., judging at 6 p.m. and the parade steps off promptly at 7 p.m.

Then, after the Lighted Parade and all day Saturday the holiday celebration continues with “A Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart”.  The Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library host this festival located at 217 S. Main and Prairie Lea Streets. This unique community event features authentic Victorian decorations, choirs, jugglers, bagpipers, carriage rides, and the culmination of the evening… the lighting of the Yule Log. Once lit, the Lord High Mayor announces the proclamation that Christmas has come to light. Then the library and the historic downtown are lit with thousands of lights.

The Caldwell County Courthouse Square is transformed into 19th century England as characters from Charles Dickens’ classic novels parade down Main Street to the Square. Often spotted are Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and Oliver Twist. The festival featured throughout the day a variety of vendor booths. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely lunch and then authentic English Sweets at Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe. A variety of animals and other forms of entertainment provide the way for the arrival of Father Christmas into Lockhart. Father Christmas appears annual to hear requests for those special wishes of children.

Back this year is the Beta Sigma Phi Holiday Tour of Homes from 1 – 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at the Main Street Market, the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, at First Lockhart National Bank, or from any Beta member, or at the homes the day of the tour for $12.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday, Dec. 2

Lockhart businesses open late for holiday shopping.

6 p.m. Vendors Tent Open / Dancing Center Unlimited

7 p.m.   Lighted Christmas Parade

Saturday, Dec. 3

Vendors open from 9:30a.m. – 8:30p.m.

9:30 a.m. – Harpist Pat Hager

10 a.m. – Carriage Rides / Father Christmas / Franko-Ice Sculptor / Caricaturist Chuck Bryant / Wiggle Waggle Train Rides / Face Painting by Carrie Smith

10:30 a.m. – Lockhart Learning Center Choir

11 a.m. – Navarro Elementary School Fifth Grade Choir

11:30 a.m. – Bluebonnet Elementary School Fifth Grade Choir

Noon – Lockhart Lionettes

12:30 p.m. – Hawaiian Kona Isle Polynesian Dancers

1 p.m. – Falconer (Birds of Prey Show) / Juggler Jack Byrd / Austin Flameworks Glass Blowing

2 p.m. – Fry’s Fun Farm-Petting Zoo / Clear Fork Elementary Fifth Grade Choir

2:30 p.m. – Plum Creek Elementary Fifth Grade Choir

3 p.m. – Ballet Folklorico-Tonantzin

4 p.m. – Classical Guitarist Alexandra Moreno and Gilbert Ian McHaney

4:30 p.m. – Jack Byrd Magic Show

5 p.m. – Vision of Praise Dance Group

5:30 p.m. – Lockhart Junior High School Choir

6 p.m – LHS Freshman Choir

6:30 p.m. – Lockhart High School Choir

7 p.m – Lighting of the Yule Log by Most Worthy Citizen Gerry Ohlendorf / Community Christmas Caroling

“A Dickens’ Christmas in Lockhart” is sponsored by the community, the Friends of the Library, the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce as well as being the City of Lockhart’s holiday gift to its residents and visitors to Lockhart and Caldwell County.

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UPDATE – 11:46 A.M.

The Lockhart Chamber of Commerce announced this morning that they will make a final decision as to whether the Lighted Christmas Parade will go forward before 5 p.m. today. If the rain breaks, the parade will go on as scheduled. However if inclement weather remains in the area, the parade may be canceled. Stay tuned to www.post-register.com. or follow us on Twitter (@LktPostRegister) for the latest news as it develops.