Weatherford to make spirits bright with festivals and lights

Weatherford has large projects on the horizon as the city moves through the Christmas holidays and the end of the year. The projects are reflective of the population growth the city has experienced.

In October, the Weatherford City Council approved the final land plat for a proposed new Chamber of Commerce facility on Highland Lake Drive south of Sante Fe Drive. Durant Hall, a new 116 resident dormitory on the northeast corner of the Weatherford College campus, opened its doors in August. Doss Heritage Center is planning a massive expansion in the future with the Murphey Western Institute, which will include a research library, learning center and theater.

Weatherford Mayor Paul Paschall said the city’s preparedness for business and population growth is what makes Weatherford and Parker County such an attractive place to live and do business.

“What Weatherford is doing to prepare for this is expanding and strengthening our public safety and improving our infrastructure,” the mayor said. “We’re seeing residential growth, growth in our schools both public and private, we’re seeing retail growth, and our downtown businesses are healthy and growing.”

Weatherford hosts large events, like the Parker County Peach Festival, Parker County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeos, and the Pioneer Heritage Festival, but Christmas time holds a special place in Paschall’s heart.

“One of the special things about Weatherford Texas is we still celebrate Christmas,” Paschall said. “Christmas is a time of family, it is a time of faith, it’s a time of hope and of renewed inspiration for the future because the end of the year is so close. What I am so excited about with this community is that it still values Christmas so strongly.”

Celebrate dates

A giant live spruce has been chosen for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Heritage Park, 503 Santa Fe Dr. from 6-9:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25. The festivities will culminate with a holiday themed drone show and the lighting of the Christmas tree. The tree, with the Pathway of Lights, will remain lit through December.

Weatherford Parks and Recreation
Director Jaycob Kirkpatrick said the
ocasion is always an impressive way to start the holiday.

“It is a sight to see. We will have the drone show and then it is time for the countdown and throw the switch to light the tree,” Kirkpatrick said.

The Weatherford Lights the Night Celebration and Parade, sponsored by Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, is Saturday, December 7.  Festivities begin at 10 a.m. on the courthouse square with live music and food. The annual holiday parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. from the Ninth-Grade Center, 1007 S. Main, and travel north on South Main to the courthouse.

The Texas Pythian Home, 1825 E. Bankhead Hwy., will be decorated for the season and host Christmas at the Castle 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The free open house will provide photo opportunities, tours of the castle, vendors, and photos with Santa ($15).