Local Roundup - page 2

Celebrate the holiday season at the highly anticipated Christmas in the Park event, which will be held at Bridge City Park, located at 101 Parkside Dr. in Bridge City. This two-day celebration is packed with festive activities, holiday shopping, and magical experiences for all ages.

Event Highlights

Friday, December 6th

• 6:30 PM: Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – Gather with friends and family to kick off the holidays in the most enchanting way.

Saturday, December 7th

• 6:00 PM: Bridge City Christmas Light Parade – Watch as the streets light up with a dazzling display of floats, music, and holiday cheer!

Ongoing Activities

• Retail and Craft Vendors – Find unique gifts and holiday treasures.
• Food Trucks and Santa Claus – Satisfy your cravings and meet Santa! (Bring a toy for a photo with Santa.)
• Outdoor Christmas Movie – Bring your blanket or chair and enjoy a holiday film under the stars.
• Train Rides and Photo Opportunities – Perfect for kids and families.
• Christmas Entertainment – Enjoy live music and performances throughout the event.

Plan Your Visit

Christmas in the Park is a wonderful opportunity to embrace the magic of the season while supporting local vendors and enjoying time with loved ones. Make sure to mark your calendars for December 6th and 7th and join the community in spreading holiday joy!

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is thrilled to announce its annual Christmas Strolls, a family-friendly event that combines the beauty of nature with the joy of the season. On select evenings starting December 3, 2024, the public is invited to stroll through the magically transformed gardens that feature thousands of lights, unique Christmas trees decorated by talented community members and festive flowering displays. Admission to Shangri La Gardens is free of charge.

“Since the conclusion of 2023 Strolls, our team at Shangri La Gardens has thoughtfully prepared for this special community event. We have implemented updates to this season of Strolls, including a new pathway in the garden,” said Angie Mason, executive director at Shangri La. “We encourage families to plan their holiday visit early in the season, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, to experience smaller crowds. Our team appreciates the Orange Police Department for their efforts in ensuring the safety of our guests by monitoring street traffic near the gardens.”

Christmas Strolls are open to the public from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with the last entrance at 8:30 p.m. A Senior, Mobility Friendly & Sensory Sensitivity Hour will be offered each night of Strolls from 5-6 p.m. This sensory-friendly hour is designed for smaller crowds at dusk and has no music or flashing lights. Guests with mobility challenges and sensory sensitivities, as well as their caregivers and families, are invited to enjoy Strolls during this time.

To enhance the festive atmosphere, Shangri La Gardens invites visitors to don their best holiday apparel for the weekly themes:

• Crazy Christmas Hat Week – December 3-7
• Family Holiday PJ Week Week – December 10-14
• Ugly Christmas Sweater Week – December 17-21

“Throughout December, we will hold our annual Community Food Drive. This initiative benefits Orange Christian Services, a non-profit organization that has served Orange County since 1979,” said Marlene Cox, guest services coordinator at Shangri La. “This food drive provides vital resources for those in our community in greatest need. We encourage visitors to help us make an impact this holiday season by bringing non-perishable food items to Strolls.”

Other free holiday happenings at Shangri La Gardens include Dreaming of a Green Christmas on Saturday, December 14. This day begins at 10:30 a.m. with opportunities for families to engage in environmentally friendly activities, which include natural ornament making. There will also be multiple holiday-themed photo-ops to commemorate cherished family memories. Dreaming of a Green Christmas activities end at 3 p.m.

“This Christmas, as we Stroll, let’s remember to be kind to our volunteers and neighbors just as Shangri La is kind to our world. We look forward to sharing the joy and magic of the season with our community throughout Christmas Strolls,” said Mason.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas. The gardens are closed to the public on Sundays and Mondays. To plan a holiday visit, please visit shangrilagardens.org.

The holiday spirit is in full swing, and the City of Vidor Visitor Center is thrilled to announce the 15 Days of Frosty Scavenger Hunt, an exciting community event that promises festive fun, intriguing clues, and plenty of prizes!

🎅 Event Details:

• When: December 2nd through December 20th (Monday–Friday)
• Where: Items will be hidden throughout the City of Vidor!
• Time: Clues will be posted daily after items are hidden in the morning.

Participants will follow daily hints to uncover hidden treasures scattered across the city. Each day brings a new chance to explore, engage, and experience the season’s joy with family and friends.

Exciting prizes are waiting to be discovered! Be sure to follow their Facebook page for daily updates and to find out what prizes are up for grabs.

Here’s the prize list:

Bring your family, lace up your walking shoes, and make this holiday season unforgettable. See you on the hunt!

Southeast Texas marked Veterans Day with heartfelt tributes and acts of generosity. VFW Post 2775 in Orange, Texas, held a luncheon on Monday, honoring veterans who have bravely served our country. During the event, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2775 received an unexpected yet much-appreciated donation—a $20,000 check from Golden Triangle Polymers.

The surprise donation was presented by Chad Jennings, plant manager at Golden Triangle Polymers, who emphasized the company’s commitment to recognizing veterans both within the community and at their plant. “Today, we are donating $20,000 to VFW Post 2775,” said Jennings. “We wanted to honor our veterans and make a meaningful contribution to support their well-being.”

The funds will be allocated towards essential repairs at the VFW facility, which serves as a vital community hub for veterans. “This building is a place where veterans find solidarity and compassion,” said Jennings. “We wanted to help ensure it remains a welcoming and safe space for them.”

VFW Post 2775 Commander Seth Watkins expressed his gratitude for the generous contribution, noting its significance. “It means a lot that there are still people who care about veterans,” said Watkins. He shared that a portion of the donation will be used to enhance the Veterans’ Relief Fund, which provides financial assistance to veterans and their families facing unexpected hardships.

“The biggest thing we offer is a safe area for any veteran, regardless of their experiences,” added Watkins. “It’s a place to connect, share, and support one another. This donation helps us continue providing that vital service.”

Watkins and other veterans in attendance encouraged more veterans in the community to join the VFW, highlighting the strong support network and sense of camaraderie the organization fosters.

Golden Triangle Polymers’ donation is a testament to their dedication to giving back to the community and recognizing the sacrifices made by those who served. “It’s an honor to give back to a group that has given so much for us,” concluded Jennings.

Get ready for a day of holiday cheer, local shopping, and exciting prizes during the Passport to Vidor – Christmas Edition, happening on Saturday, December 7, 2024! As part of the Hometown Holidays Weekend, this festive event invites the community to explore Vidor’s local businesses, enjoy holiday activities, and win incredible prizes—all while supporting the local economy.

🎄 Here’s How It Works:

1. Pick up your Passport at The Plaza Event Center, located at 185 N. Main St, Vidor, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM beginning today.
2. Visit participating local businesses to collect stamps and explore the unique products and services our community has to offer.
3. Return your completed Passport to the Hometown Holidays Vidor Car Show and Christmas Cruise on December 7 at The Plaza Event Center by 3:00 PM.
4. Winners of FOUR amazing prizes will be announced at 3:45 PM!

Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer for a day filled with shopping, festivities, and fun. Don’t miss your chance to discover hidden gems in the local business community and take home some great prizes.

Mark your calendars and make this a day to remember! For more information, contact the Vidor Chamber of Commerce at (409) 681-6223.