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Festivities abound in 2009 Holiday in Paris
By Connie Beard
Published November 20, 2009
The first two weekends in December herald the holiday season in Paris, and with them comes Holiday in Paris.
Holiday in Paris was created four years ago as a way to gather all the festivities and events around the area under one umbrella. It’s not a single event, but a combination of many activities put on by organizations, businesses and groups during the holiday season.
Holiday in Paris encompasses activities from the Maxey House and Bywaters Park, the Christmas parade, the annual Art Walk, Christmas in Fair Park and many more.
The Holiday in Paris committee begins early in the year, gathering all the bits and pieces together to offer the public what the committee plans to be a fun and interesting time.
Traditional favorites are set to return, including the Art Walk, parade, A Tuba Christmas, Santa Claus in Winter Wonderland, the Paris Community Theater’s annual presentation and Cowboy Christmas Wagon Rides.
New activities are added to Holiday in Paris each year.
The Tour de Force for 2009 is an event planners hope will become a long-standing tradition. A 20 to 25-foot native cedar tree will be brought to the lawn of the Lamar County Courthouse. A lighting ceremony is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28.
“I hope it will go on for years to come. It’s one of the exciting additions to Holiday in Paris this year,” said John Brazille, who has been scouring the countryside looking for the perfect tree.
Along with the lighting of the tree, there will be guided tours of the decorated courthouse and Paris Bakery will provide cookies and hot chocolate made from the recipe used by Laura Bush at the last lighting ceremony she presided over at the White House.
Two new items from 2008 will return this year: The Holly Jolly Trolley historical tours and the snow slide. Both were well attended and promise to be a hit again this year.
Starting with a budget of $13,000, the Holiday in Paris committee addresses the major costs for Holiday in Paris including the Courthouse Christmas tree at $2,000, the snow slide at $6,800 and the trolley at $1,100. Advertising, signage and materials expenses are estimated at $3,000.
Volunteers serve in hundreds of capacities, and many items are donated, such as the Christmas tree stand and Paris High School students creating direction signs.
Even with the many donations and help, expenses mount.
“Every day we turn around and there’s another expense,” Ann Gilliland, HIP committee member, said.
To help cover costs and make sure Holiday in Paris is a quality event, the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce accepts monetary donations. From a Gold Sponsor at $1,000 to the Holiday in Paris Friend at any amount, these funds are used for this annual event.
“We accept any donation and we are inching our way to our goal,” Brazille said.
Donations can be made at the downtown chamber office, 8 West Plaza. For information call 903-784-2501.
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