It’s beginning to look a lot like Dickens

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

As temperatures plummet and holiday decorations start to appear, the Friends of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library and the City of Lockhart are moving full steam to prepare for the 20th annual Dickens” Christmas on the Square.
A unique event, Dickens embraces all of the best, not only of the Christmas season, but of small-town

life. In fact, the Courthouse Square in Lockhart will be transformed, for a time, into an 18th century village for a day while visitors are invited to partake of a full day”s worth of free events.
Thanks to donations and business sponsorships, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library and the Friends of the Library are able to host the event free of charge, and allow every child and adult who wants to the opportunity to participate in any show, game or ride for free.
Holiday festivities will kick off on Friday night with the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce”s annual Lighted Parade, which will reach the Courthouse Square at 7:30 p.m.
Of particular note, the Lighted Parade marks the arrival of Father Christmas in Lockhart – although the Jolly Elf well be unavailable for pictures or Christmas wishes on Friday. However, he will be at the Dr. Eugene Clark Library for most of the day on Saturday to hear childrens” Christmas dreams.
Other events on the Saturday schedule include:
All day: Decotah”s Carriage Rides, Face Painting, Vendors Tent and Wiggle Waggle Train Rides
9:30 a.m.: Plum Creek Fifth Grade Choir
10 a.m.: Harpist Pat Hagar; Franko the IceMan; Moses the Camel
10:45 a.m.: Bluebonnet Fifth Grade Choir
11 a.m.: Silver Thistle Bagpipers
11:15 a.m.: Lockhart Tukong Moosul Martial Arts
11:45 a.m.: Silver Thistle Bagpipers
Noon: Kevin Ivey – Flameworks (glass blowing)
12:30 p.m.: Navarro Fifth Grade Choir
1 p.m.: Jack Byrd, Falconer; Street juggling
1:45 p.m.: Lockhart Lionettes
2 p.m.: Clickety Cloggers; Fry”s Fun Farm Petting Zoo
2:45 p.m.: Clearfork Fifth Grade Choir
3:15 p.m.: Wine & Alchemy; Jack Byrd-Magic Show
4 p.m.: Dancing Center Unlimited
4:30 p.m.: First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir
5 p.m.: Gaslight Baker Theatre Ebenezer Scrooge
5:30 p.m.: Junior High Choir
6 p.m.: Freshman Choir
6:30 p.m.: High School Choir
7 p.m. Lighting of the Yule Log
This year”s Dickens” Christmas in Lockhart, the 20th anniversary of the event has been dedicated to the memory of former Lockhart City Manager Joe Michie, who was an ardent supporter not only of the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, but of Dickens itself. When the festival was first suggested as a means of raising money to support children”s programs at the Library, Michie approached each department head in the City of Lockhart to ask for the support and cooperation of the entire city staff. From the hanging of the lights on the Library and the surrounding buildings, to the clean-up efforts to the help of the Lockhart Police Department and the Lockhart Fire Department, that cooperation still exists today.
Prior to the lighting of the Yule Log, a special presentation will be made to Michie”s family.
For additional information about a Dickens” Christmas in Lockhart, visit the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, or call (512) 398-3223.