Christmas time is coming, and the city is getting itself ready1

Mary Jane Farmer | November 3, 2022 | Reply

The bass of the Christmas tree in Dorothy Fielder Park, set over the park’s water fountain.

Story and photos by Mary Jane Farmer for The Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town

Van Alstyne is Christmas Town

Christmas is around the corner. It’s only 4+ weeks until Dec. 3, when the city will be lighting up its newest Christmas tree, accompanied by festivities in celebration of the season.

This week, the Van Alstyne Parks crew installed a Christmas tree over the fountain in downtown’s Dorothy Fielder Park. They have also wrapped the park’s trees in Panther blue Christmas lights, planted wintertime flowers in the park’s border, and added greenery and lights on the gazebo. But this project isn’t 100% completed. The entire Christmas project around town is coordinated to be completed at about the same time.

First, getting all the electricity in working order.

The city’s Public Works Department is now the Parks & Public Works Department, with Will Grissom heading the Parks’ responsibilities and Justin Johnson over Public Works. And while both crews are always willing to help each other out with manpower, both crews also have their own separate and necessary projects.

City Manager Lane Jones said, “(It’s a) Big job, and we have few people to get the job accomplished.” He added, “The job of decorating the city for the holidays is a sizable task requiring time to accomplish. The dedicated staff of the P&PW has taken on the task, but with limited time available given the demands of daily duties. To get the job done, the process has gotten underway early.

And n0w for the top of the tree. Notice the ornaments still in place from last year.

“Thousands of lights, two large trees and many ornaments will be up and ready for the tree lighting event planned for December 3^rd. Until then, Santa’s Elves (Parks and Public Works staff) will be busy making ready,” Jones said.

Chief Elf Grissom said that many of the other places to be decorated include the Fire Station, Police Station, Public Library, and the city welcome sign at the Valero gas station at U.S. Hwy 75 and Van Alstyne Parkway. They will also be decorating the downtown corners, wrapping and adding Christmas banners to downtown poles. Much of that will also happen in the Central Social District Park

It is the second year that Parks has installed the man-made Christmas tree at the downtown park, and this year served as a reminder for those who had the opportunity last year of just now tedious it can be. For those new to the Parks crew, it was practice.

Getting the star ready to add next.

Star is up and for hanging the remainder of the branches

Guys at Dorothy Fielder Park said that the lights are in the branches, so that job is completed. Next — the ornaments. Wednesday, the crew had put up all they had, but said they would have more soon to fill in the empty spots.

The tree going up at the Central Social District Park (215 E Van Alstyne Parkway is twice the size of the one now gracing Dorothy Fielder Park, said. And that’s the one where all the Tree-Lighting festivities will be going on Saturday, Dec. 3. These not only include the ubiquitous and infamous countdown, but also horse and carriage rides, a specialty food truck, carolers, and more. It all starts at 6 pm.

And while you readers are marking the Christmas Tree Lighting on your calendars, remember to mark the next Saturday, Dec. 10, down for the Christmas Parade. It will be taking a new route this year, and, since step-off is at 6:30 pm, aka dark-30, one can just imagine the glowing lights on many floats.

Stay tuned, Christmas fans. More about both the Tree Lighting and the Parade later. And one way to help stay up-to-date will be to ‘like’ and monitor the Facebook page Van Alstyne City Municipal Events.