Rockdale’s annual Christmas parade and party is set for Saturday with a day of holiday fun leading up to the night-time lighted parade at 6 p.m.
Santa will be in Rockdale three times on Saturday and there will be ample opportunity for area children to visit and share their Christmas wishes.
It’s a fun-filled day, organized and sponsored by the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, which will see the focus on downtown, especially the I&GN Depot Museum and Wolf Park, which share the Milam-Main corner.
Saturday starts with Breakfast With Santa and wraps up with caroling, and more music. Some downtown stores will stay open for late shopping.
PARADE—This year’s always popular parade is themed “Cowboy Christmas” and gets underway at 6 p.m. after it lines up at Fair Park.
For the second consecutive year it will begin at Fair Park and end at Wolf Park.
The Rockdale tradition draws hundreds of parade-goers all along the route.
Parade participants are reminded that candy may not be thrown from floats, but may be handed out by walkers. That’s a safety concern as it will be dark.
No Santas are allowed on floats.
Several churches are expected to enter floats along with Milam County CrimeStoppers, RHS Golden Girls and much more.
Grand marshals are Rock-dale residents, and volunteer workers at scores of local events, Pat and Charlie Watson.
Categories are floats—with awards for best float, best decorated and best out-oftown—ATVs, decorated vehicles, religious entries, best decorated overall and best Santa’s helper (walker in costume).
Entry fee is a toy for Christmas Roundup.
And, of course, Santa will be in his traditional spot ending the parade.
BREAKFAST—McDonald’s co-sponsors Breakfast With Santa from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Tickets for the event are $5 and will include pancakes with syrup and butter, fruit, milk and juice.
Santa will be on hand during the event to visit with all boys and girls.
There will also be activities for children.
DEPOT—There will be a lot of action at downtown Rockdale’s “southern bookend,” the I&GN Depot Museum.
The Depot will be open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and that includes its “real-just relocated” working blacksmith shop.
Model trains will be running during that time in the adjacent train room.
Sausage wraps, hot chocolate, coffee and popcorn will be on sale at the depot.
Both the depot’s restored historic train cars will host events Saturday.
Children are invited to climb the steps to the big, red caboose for Story Time between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Next door on the depot’s siding is its restored dining car where cookies, milk and coffee will be sold.
Santa makes his second stop in Rockdale from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the depot to hear the Christmas wishes of children.
MUSIC AND MORE— That’s not all.
Vendors will be set up at Wolf Park from 4 to 9 p.m.
After the parade, there will be plenty of activities at the park including a tree lighting, and various bands will perform.
There will also be food, drinks and arts & crafts.
Downtown stores will be open late for shopping.
BAZAAR—While not formally part of the Chamber Christmas activities, another Rockdale Christmas tradition will also be held that day.
The Ladies Society of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar beginning at 9 a.m. in the church’s educational building on San Gabriel Street.
The bazaar will offer baked goods and a silent auction and the kitchen will have chicken stew, chili and more for sale to visitors while they are shopping.
The bazaar will conclude with a prize drawing at 1:30 p.m.
Prize tickets are being sold for $1 each or six for $5 after all masses or at The Rock-dale Reporter.
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